PPG AIARE Avalanche Level 1  Course - 2025

Risk Management & Avalanche Education Course

PPG AIARE 1

AIARE Level 1 is a 24-hour course focusing on avalanche hazard management by using the AIARE Decision Making Framework.

PPG - AIARE Avalanche Level 1

A 3 day course designed to give you a proven approach in planning, executing and reviewing your backcountry ski, snowshoe, mountaineering and other snow adventures involving travel in avalanche terrain.

Topics include building trip catalogs, tracking the season, observing and understanding the changes in the snowpack, recognizing avalanche terrain and travel options, improving your situational awareness while in the field, and evaluating the day's decisions when finished.  Tools and resources such as noaa.gov, mountain-forecast.com the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, (CAIC), Snotel, GAIA, Caltopo -the list is long - will become part of your toolbox as you plan and execute your trips. If you are a BC skier, a winter and snow mountaineer, snowshoer, cross-country tourer traveling in avalanche terrain, this course will be a tremendous benefit to you.

Our AIARE Program Leader is Kristen Buckland

All participants will receive an AIARE Certificate of Completion, the AIARE Field Book and student manual.

Successful completion of this course is a pre-requisite for the AIARE Level 2 course. 

Club Membership is required to participate in this course. If you are not currently a member, please sign up for membership prior to registering with this course. Benefits of club membership include gear and event discounts as well as access to more classes, trips and events that enhance your experience of backcountry and mountaineering adventures.

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
PPG AIARE I Classroom Sessions
Route-Place TBD
Tue, Jan 14, 2025
Registration opens Jan 13
18 participants
Route-Place TBD
Thu, Jan 16, 2025
Registration opens Jan 16
18 participants
PPG AIARE 1 Field Day
Route-Place TBD
Sat–Sun, Jan 18–19, 2025
Registration opens Jan 13
17 participants
Roster
Required Equipment

Clothing:  Field days will commence even during cold and snowy weather. In Colorado that means layers and back-ups. Make sure you have a warm puffy jacket or similar layer. Hand and toe warmers are recommended. Extra gloves and mittens are also a good idea as we will be digging in the snow frequently. 

Helmet for skiers and splitboarders

Ski goggles and sunglasses.

Mode of Travel: AT or Tele skis with skins, split boards, or snowshoes. You must have trekking/ski poles as well.

Food for the day, including lunch. Also consider a thermos with a hot drink, water, energy snacks.

Sunblock, personal med kit, your normal repair kit suitable for your gear 

Think 10 essentials to keep you alive in the cold Colorado winter. We'll cover it and questions in the classroom sessions.

Avalanche Gear - You must have and avalanche Beacon, Probe and Shovel. If you do not have the gear, it can be loaned from the Pikes Peak Group's gear inventory with prior notice.

Course Materials

You must register for this course to see course materials.