Traveling in the backcountry requires a solid understanding of avalanche risk and the knowledge to mitigate these risks through appropriate terrain assessment and decision-making. Our AIARE certified leaders and instructors will teach you how to recognize, manage, and minimize these hazards, and reduce risks. For 2024/2025 the standard AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course 3-Day course offers Day 1 in a physical classroom, along with two days of field instruction in various zones to introduce participants to the hazards of traveling in avalanche terrain.

See dates below for specific offerings, with geographic options as follows: 
•    Courses based out of the Summit County area will have a classroom in Silverthorne, CO.
•    Courses based in the Front Range will have field days between Loveland and Berthoud Passes, and a classroom in Dumont. CO.
•    Resort based courses will be based at Winter Park with lift accessed backcountry, and a classroom in the town of Winter Park.
 
This course can be taken on alpine touring skis or splitboard. No prior backcountry experience is required but it is highly recommended that participants with touring gear have experience on their setup prior to taking this course and be comfortable in steep blue to black terrain at the ski resort.
 
What you’ll learn:
 
•    Trip planning and preparation
•    Reading and understanding the avalanche forecast
•    Classifications and characteristics of different types of avalanches
•    Recognizing hazardous conditions
•    Understanding a mountain snowpack
•    Basics of route selection and terrain management
•    Managing risk and decision making
•    Human factors and influence
•    Efficient use of beacon/shovel/probe
•    Companion rescue techniques
•    Group management