AVALANCHE TRAINING

AIARE Level 1- Decision Making In Avalanche Terrain

Do you spend time backcountry skiing or snowboarding, winter hiking, mountaineering or ice climbing? It doesn’t matter if you’re staying in the Northeast or heading out West, you owe it to yourself and your companions to learn all you can about avalanche hazard management. This 3 day/ 24 hour introductory course will provide you with a basic understanding of avalanches.

The American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Level I Course is a 3-day program that combines classroom work with field experience to provide a solid basis for decision-making in avalanche terrain. We’ll cover such topics as recognizing avalanche-prone slopes, assessing avalanche hazards on-site, route-finding and travel techniques, and skills and equipment for companion rescue. READ MORE

Skill Level: Beginner

Length: 3 days, 8 hours each day

Prerequisites: No prior backcountry experience required. Potential skiers and riders should be comfortable on intermediate/ advanced terrain (blue square/ black diamond terrain). If unsure of your skiing/riding ability call us to talk more about the conditions and terrain. If you are not skiing/boarding, please bring snowshoes.

Locations: New Hampshire, New York

AIARE Level 2- Analyzing Snow Stability & Hazards

Are you looking to further your avalanche skills and have already taken the AIARE Level 1 course? This course delves a little deeper into the “hows” and “whys” of avalanches. You will not only get more practice assessing avalanche terrain and exercising your decision making skills, you will also get a better understanding of why avalanches happen with relation to snow stability.

The AIARE Level 2 course is a 4-day program that provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills. This course also includes the introductory and prerequisite components for the professional progression: the AIARE Level 3 certificate. READ MORE

Skill Level: Intermediate

Length: 4 days, 8 hours each day

Prerequisites: Students must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain. An AIARE Level I Course (strongly recommended) or equivalent training/experience is required. A winter of practical experience after the AIARE Level 1 course is recommended before taking the Level II course.

Avalanche Refresher

If it has been a while since your AIARE Level 1 Avalanche course and you need to brush up and practice – or if you’re looking for a quick intro to the whole topic – this course will serve as a quick overview. We’ll review typical terrain features and their influence on avalanche activity, human factors and route selection, and proper gear selection for travel in avalanche terrain. Out in the field we’ll practice digging test pits and other snowpack assessment techniques, then we’ll bring out the transceivers for some burial drills. Don’t kid yourself about this stuff – you have the responsibility to yourself and your partners to be fluent on this subject and practice, practice, practice.

Our AIARE certification courses are much more thorough and comprehensive – this refresher is not meant to be the final word on the topic.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Length: 8 hours