Our AIARE avalanche training courses are action-packed, combining virtual classroom and tons of field instruction to provide participants with a solid introduction to avalanche awareness and backcountry travel skills.

Learn how to travel in and around avalanche terrain, gain insight into decision-making strategies, the human factors involved in avalanches, develop critical planning and travel techniques, and comprehensive rescue skills. Experience how avalanche transceivers (aka avalanche beacons), shovels and probes work in companion rescue, how to dig and analyze a snow pit, how to conduct snowpack compression tests, how to use the AIARE field books, and much more.

Our team is made of experienced & certified AIARE instructors and professional mountain guides with decades of experience in avalanche terrain, from the Alps to Alaska to right here in Vail, Summit County, Cameron Pass and Rocky Mountain National Park, the country’s premier winter adventure destinations. With a maximum ratio of six students per instructor, we exceed AIARE curriculum standards to provide the highest level of instruction.

Wondering what AIARE avalanche safety course to take? See the CMS AIARE Flow Chart and choose between Avalanche Awareness (now online!), AIARE 1, AIARE 2 and AIARE Avalanche Rescue. Dozens of dates and course formats are available.

*Upgrades for 2020/21! We’ve replaced indoor classroom time with self-paced e-learning and group video discussions. Students will still complete their AIARE certification with two full days in the backcountry, where physical distancing is part of the fun. Enrolled students will automatically receive exclusive access to webinars, community forums, conditions updates and more through our season-long “Snow Pack” membership. Learn more about our new and improved avalanche training experience.

The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization that gathers the latest knowledge, research and ideas in avalanche safety and create avalanche training courses that reflect the needs of today’s backcountry travelers.