AIARE 1 Hybrid Course
- Price: $749.00
- Duration: 1 Evening + 2 Field Days
The itinerary for this AIARE 1 Avalanche Course is split up over online coursework, one 2 hour evening video conference, and two full days of training in the field. Skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers are all welcome on this course.
Looking for an avalanche training course in Utah, Wyoming or Montana? Sign up with our friends at American Avalanche Institute.
Overview:
AIARE 1 Avalanche Training:
A 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazard management
We teach a complete program of curriculum established by the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and are the world’s largest and most experienced AIARE provider.
You can expect to develop a solid foundation in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, understanding basic decision making while in the field, and avalanche rescue techniques required to locate and dig up a buried person.
Learn more about student learning outcomes in the “Curriculum” tab above.
This course provides essential training for anyone traveling in or near avalanche terrain: snowboarders, ski tourers, snowmobilers, mountaineers, snowshoers, everyone! For aspiring professionals, this course fulfills a prerequisite for the AIARE Pro 1 course down the line.
By completing this course with Colorado Mountain School, you will receive a certification from AIARE and join a network of tens of thousands of AIARE 1 avalanche training graduates.
Details:
Why Our AIARE Courses Are Worth It:
- Colorado Mountain School is the country’s largest AIARE Provider for a reason
- Our Instructors are educators, not just minimally qualified instructors
- Fully Vaccinated Guide staff
- We spend the majority of the course in the mountains, not inside
- We provide valuable pre-course material to help you prepare
- We provide bonus education opportunities to help you keep learning
- Our Instructors are career guides, with decades of personal backcountry experience
- Our Instructors are AMGA Ski Guide-trained or certified
- We have a full-time office staff to answer all of your questions
- Dozens of course dates to meet our guests scheduling needs
- Get avalanche training in the ski venue you ski in locally
- Fully sponsored by industry leaders Dynafit, SCARPA, Backcountry Access
- Full avalanche rescue kit rentals at no charge – try before you buy
Sample Itinerary:
We believe that avalanche training is best taught by combining theoretical concepts and experiential learning. Some topics are best learned in a safe comfortable classroom, and others in the mountains, moving through terrain and digging into the snow. You’ll have both.
The first portion of your course includes an online course and group video discussion. The majority of your course will take place in the mountains. You should be prepared, mentally and physically, to stay immersed in the backcountry for up to six hours. You will be assigned to a small touring group, consisting of one AIARE Instructor and a maximum of six students, to simultaneously allow intimate instruction and the ability to spread out. Here’s a preview itinerary of what your course could look like:
Self-Paced – AIARE e-Learning: Avalanche Basics
AIARE Self-paced online learning to supplement your field days.
Virtual meeting – Wednesday Nights – 6:00pm – 8:00pm
- 6:00pm – 6:30pm: Welcome, review itinerary
- 6:30pm – 7:00pm: Review forecast / Map building
- 7:00pm – 7:45pm: Avalanche Forecast discussion
- 7:45pm – 8:00pm: Plan for the field days
Field Day 1 – 8:00am – 4:30pm
- 8:00am – 8:45am: Pods meet up at pre-determined location off I-70, rental gear check out, review course itinerary
- 9:00am – 9:30am: Carpool to trailhead, Complete trailhead transceiver function check
- 9:30am – 11:30am: Companion rescue practice
- 11:30am – 12:00pm: Transition to instructor led tour and snowpack observations
- 12:00pm – 3:00pm: Terrain tour (ATES) and relevant snowpack observations
- 3:00pm – 4:30pm: Debrief observations in the field and return to trailhead
Field Day 2 – 8:00am – 4:30pm
- 8:00am – 8:30am: Meet up at pre-determined location off I-70, gear check, carpools
- 8:30am – 9:00am: Morning discussion (avalanches, snowpack, weather)
- 9:00am – 9:30am: Carpool to trailhead, Complete trailhead transceiver function check
- 9:30am – 3:00pm: Student/Instructor-led tour: Terrain Identification, recording observations in field books, snowpack tests / observations, weather observations, review companion rescue
- 3:00pm – 3:30pm: Debrief your pod in the field
- 3:30pm – 4:30pm: Return to trailhead, Hand in rental gear, course wrap up & next steps
Optional Learning Resources — All Season Long
- Virtual mentorship sessions
- Students-only webinars
- Tech tip video library
- Community Facebook forum: find partners, discuss coursework & more
Meeting location:
e-Learning: AIARE on-line learning
1 Video call: Held every Wednesday night the week prior to your field days. Links are sent out by the Course Instructors
2 Field Sessions: Based out of Frisco, Co.
Field locations TBD
Lodging:
Cameron Pass: There are a variety of cabins, vacation rentals and camping options available on / near Cameron Pass. Learn more about Cameron Pass and options for lodging near State Forest State Park.
I-70 Courses, Frisco: There are a variety of accommodations off the I-70 corridor. The towns of Silverthorne, Dillon, and Leadville are all situated near the field venues we use and work well for lodging.
Notes:
All of our courses can be run as custom outings. If your group is interested in a custom avalanche training course, please call us at 720-387-8944.
The nature of this pandemic requires us to be flexible and adaptable in how we deliver a quality training experience. Rest assured, from the moment you enroll all the way up to your course field days and beyond, our instructors will be a part of your learning progression and will provide you with the tools and resources you need to best prepare for your winter backcountry adventures. If you’d like to learn more about what we are doing to manage COVID-19 risk for our students and guides, please view our COVID-19 FAQ page.
All Upcoming Dates and Locations:
- No dates found
At the end of the AIARE 1 course the student should be able to:
- Develop a plan for travel in avalanche terrain.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche terrain.
- Effectively use the AIARE Decision Making Framework to make terrain choices in a group setting
- Demonstrate effective companion rescue.
10 Things you’ll learn about traveling in avalanche terrain:
- Types of avalanches and their characteristics
- How avalanches form and release
- Primary start-zone factors
- Identifying avalanche terrain
- Ways to spot and avoid common trigger points
- Trip planning, preparation, and navigation
- Travel techniques
- Group decision-making skills
- Avalanche rescue techniques
- Weather, terrain, and snowpack considerations
Prerequisites:
This course can be taken on snowshoes, skis, splitboard, or snowboard. Participants on alpine touring rigs must have experience on their setup prior to taking this course. Snowshoes are available for rent upon request. Students on skis or boards must be comfortable in steep blue to black terrain at the areas.
Preparation:
The AIARE 1 is for anyone, regardless of method of travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. Participants may have attended some awareness classes or workshops or completed the Avalanche Rescue course, but none are a prerequisite for this course.
Aspiring professionals will need to take the AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue as a prerequisite for the Pro 1 course.
Duration:
Maximum Ratio:
Minimum Age:
| Experience Level | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Activity Level | Moderate |
| Category | Avalanche Training |
| Duration | Multi-Day |
Price Includes:
- AIARE Instructor/s
- Digital AIARE Course Manual
- AIARE Field Book (yours to keep)
- CMS Field Pencil (yours to keep)
- AIARE Certificate of Completion provided by AIARE
- Friends of CAIC Trailhead Membership ($35 value)
- Use of Backcountry Access Avalanche Equipment during course
- BCA Beacon
- BCA Shovel
- BCA Probe
- Snowshoes
Price Excludes:
- Food
- Transportation
- Lodging
- Clothing, backpack and non-technical personal items
- Skiing / Splitboarding Equipment (Recommend Neptune Mountaineering)
- Park Entrance Fees (where applicable)
- Rescue Insurance / Fees
- Trip Insurance
- Gratuity
- Expenses due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of Colorado Mountain School
| Item | Description | Quantity | Example | Purchase At | Rent At | Equipment Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche Beacon |
Modern, digital, three-antennae beacon with fresh batteries. |
1 |
Colorado Mountain School or Neptune Mountaineering |
Equipment | ||
| Avalanche Probe |
Collapsable metal or carbon rod used to probe avalanche debris while attempting to strike a buried target. |
1 |
Colorado Mountain School or Neptune Mountaineering |
Equipment | ||
| Avalanche Rescue Shovel |
Ski specific shovel used to dig pits and avalanche rescue. A metal blade is mandatory. |
1 |
Colorado Mountain School or Neptune Mountaineering |
Equipment | ||
| Backpack: 20-40 liter |
Packs smaller than this tend not to be able to carry the necessary amount of equipment and clothing. |
1 |
Colorado Mountain School |
Equipment | ||
| Baselayer Bottoms |
Synthetic or Merino Wool, Lightweight or mid-weight are recommended. |
1 |
Men: Rab Syncrino Leggings |
Clothing | ||
| Beanie or Fleece Hat |
Should cover the ears and fit under a helmet. Hats with fluff balls on top do not fit under helmets. |
1 | Clothing | |||
| Climbing Skins |
Nylon or mohair. Trimmed and adjusted to fit your skis or splitboard ahead of time. |
1 | Equipment | |||
| Compass |
Used for navigation and orientation. A compass with adjustable declination is preferrable. |
1 | Optional | |||
| Face Mask – PPE |
Should be made with at least two layers of fabric. Your mask needs to cover your nose and mouth without large gaps. The mask should have ear loops or ties so you can adjust it. Look for a mask with a bendable border at the top so you can mold the mask to fit the bridge of your nose and prevent your glasses from fogging. |
2 | Clothing | |||
| First Aid Kit |
Your guide will have an emergency First Aid Kit. You should bring a small kit including blister prevention and care products such as a role of athletic tape and Moleskin. Your kit should also contain a few Band-aids, some Tylenol and Ibuprofen. |
1 | Optional | |||
| Floatation (Skis, Snowboard, or Snowshoes) |
Students are welcome to participate on snowshoes, skis, or snowboard. Skis should have touring bindings; lightweight tech bindings are ideal. Splitboards are ideal for snowboarders. Snowboarders using resort snowboards will need to have snowshoes. All students will need poles. |
1 |
Skis and Splitboards: Neptune Mountaineering |
Equipment | ||
| Food |
Proper lunches that are prepared ahead of time are recommended (sandwich, burrito, leftover pizza, etc), along with an assortment of snack bars, gels, or trail mixes. Feeze-dried meals are acceptable on overnight trips, but not day trips. |
1 | Equipment | |||
| Goggles |
Protect your eyes and face from wind and sun burn. |
1 | Equipment | |||
| Hardshell Pants |
These should be non-insulated pants with ankle cuffs wide enough to fit over your ski or ride boots. |
1 |
Men: Rab Khroma Kinetic Pant |
Clothing | ||
| Headlamp |
Load with fresh batteries. Critical for hiking before sunrise and great to have in the pack in case you are caught out after dark. |
1 | Equipment | |||
| Heavyweight Waterproof Glove |
This glove comes out when the winter going gets cold and wet or at higher altitudes. |
1 |
Men: Pivot GTX Glove |
Clothing | ||
| Hot Drinks |
Coffee, tea, hot cocoa are great for warming up when it’s cold outside. |
1 | Optional | |||
| Laptop |
Useful for navigation courses, including hiking and ski tour planning. |
1 | Optional | |||
| Lightweight Baselayer Top |
Synthetic or Merino Wool; Worn against the skin and is considered a “wicking” layer that facilitates the movement of moisture away from the skin and through the layers. Hooded base layers add extra versatility. |
2 |
Men: Rab Syncrino Base LS Tee |
Clothing | ||
| Lightweight Gloves |
Synthetic; Thin gloves used when hiking the early morning approach. Belay gloves can suffice if full-fingered. |
1 | Clothing | |||
| Lip ScreenSPF 15 or higher. |
Non-SPF rated lip balms can actually increase your chances of getting burned. |
1 |
Rocky Mountain Sunscreen Lip Balm |
Optional | ||
| Mechanical Pencil |
Great for taking notes in the field. |
1 | Optional | |||
| Midweight Baselayer Top |
Synthetic or Merino Wool; Adds extra warmth and protection from the cold and wind without creating a moisture barrier as a jacket would. Having at least one base layer that is hooded adds versatility, protecting the neck and ears from cold winds. |
1 |
Men: Rab Ascendor Light Hoodie |
Clothing | ||
| Midweight Softshell Glove |
This is the workhorse glove and is most often worn on warmer days when mountaineering. Softshell gloves are water-resistant and durable. They often have leather palms and fingers. |
1 | Clothing | |||
| Neck Gaiter |
“Buffs” are quite versatile in their uses. They can be used as light beanies, neck warmers, and can offer face protection from the cold wind or sun. |
1 | Clothing | |||
| Personal Toilet Kit |
At minimum, bring a small Ziploc with toilet paper. Consider bringing a travel sized package of hand-wipes. Idealy, purchase, or for free from the RMNP Backcountry office, bring a “Rest Stop.” The Rest Stop, known as “Blue Bags” in the Pacific Northwest, or the “Wag Bag” in other areas, are poop-in-a-bag systems that include toilet paper and a sanitizing hand wipe. |
1 | Optional | |||
| Ski Helmet |
This item is recommended but not required. We will be skiing in the trees, and in snow conditions where rocks, stumps, and downded logs are present. |
1 | Equipment | |||
| Ski or Snowboard Boots |
Footwear should be appropriate to mode of travel i.e. ski, snowboard, or insulated winter boots for snowshoes. For snowshoers, a boot such as the Scarpa Mont Blanc is the minimum level of boot required. Ski Boots should have a walk mode. |
1 | Equipment | |||
| Ski or Trekking Poles |
Two poles, with powder baskets, are required for all skiers, splitboarders, and snowshoers. It is ideal if poles are ski-specific and collapse small enough to fit onto a pack when climbing. |
1 |
Colorado Mountain School; Neptune Mountaineering |
Equipment | ||
| Ski Straps |
18″ Rubber or velcro straps to connect skis when attaching them to a pack. Also useful for a variety of in-the-field equipment repairs. |
2 | Optional | |||
| Smart Phone App |
There are a plethora of apps that assist in navigation. These apps use your phone’s GPS functions and can work in the mountains offline. |
1 |
Avanet; Gaia Maps; Topo Maps |
Optional | ||
| Smartphone |
Great for taking photos and videos. Smartphone batteries tend to shut down in freezing temps – keep your phone in a warm inner layer. A tether is ideal in the mountains to protet against dropping your phone. |
1 | Optional | |||
| Softshell and Fleece Jacket |
Water-resistant, windproof, yet it “breaths,” which means it allows moisture to move through. Hoods are ideal. There are multiple thicknesses of Softshell jackets. A lightweight or medium-weight jacket is preferred. Fleece jackets are acceptable. |
1 |
Men: Rab VR Summit Jacket |
Clothing | ||
| Sports Bra |
Provides support and allows for full range of motion |
1 |
North Face Beyond the Wall |
Clothing | ||
| Sun Hat |
A billed hat to keep the bright mountain sun at bay. |
1 | Clothing | |||
| Sunglasses |
“Wrap-Around” style sunglasses with 100% UV Protection. |
1 | Equipment | |||
| SunscreenSPF 30 or higher. |
Travel size. |
1 |
Rocky Mountain Sunscreen SPF 50 |
Equipment | ||
| Synthetic or Down Puffy Jacket |
Fits over all other layers and is worn at breaks and on really cold days. Synthetic puffies are more durable, are easily laundered, and dry out quickly if wet. Down puffies are lighter weight, pack smaller, and provide exceptional warmth, but once wet, they stay wet. |
1 |
Men: Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket |
Clothing | ||
| Synthetic or Merino Wool Socks |
Wool and synthetic blends are great for long days on the trail. “Ski” and “Snowboard” socks are especially useful when warmth is desired. |
2 | Clothing | |||
| Thermos |
Many ice climbers prefer to bring a thermos of hot water or soup instead of one of their water bottles. |
1 | Optional | |||
| Toe Warmers and Hand Heaters |
Help keep you warm on particularly cold days. |
1 | Optional | |||
| Water Bottles |
1 liter bottles are the standard. Bladders such as Camelbacks and Platypus are acceptable for above freezing temps, but only in conjunction with another bottle. Bladders are not acceptable during sub freezing temps. Sports drinks are also acceptable. |
2 |
Nalgene, Hydro Flask |
Equipment | ||
| Waterproof Shell Jacket |
Non-insulated, Gore-Tex, Dermizax, Event, or other waterproofing system is required. Mostly, this jacket sits in the bottom of your pack and comes out when the weather gets nasty with precipitation. This jacket should fit over all other layers. |
1 |
Men: Rab Khroma Cirque GORE-TEX Jacket |
Clothing |
COVID-19
Q: Will COVID-19 impact my course?
A: 2020 made it clear that running programs while managing the risk of COVID-19 transmission is a challenge. It is a challenge that the Colorado Mountain School team tackled creatively and courageously. We may need to shift our classrooms to virtual settings at a moment’s notice. We may need to put on masks unexpectedly. We may need to go outside and distance ourselves. No matter what though, we are committed to running programs, providing education, and serving our mission, while also maintaining the highest standards of risk management. Please visit our FAQ page, COVID-19 Policy, or contact us for more information.
Registration
Q: Do I need prior backcountry experience to participate in AIARE 1?
A: No! If you are planning on taking the course on snowshoes, you do not need any prior experience. If you are joining us on a ski or splitboard touring setup, we ask that you have prior experience touring so that you can focus on getting the most out of your avalanche training, and not about your gear / movement. Our Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding course is a great option to get you up to speed quickly if you’re starting out.
Q: What level skier / rider should I be for the AIARE 1 course?
A: If you are hoping to take your AIARE course on a ski or splitboard touring setup, you’ll need to be skiing or riding at an intermediate to advanced level. You’ll have an opportunity to discuss your experience with your instructor prior to your field sessions. If you or instructor decide that traveling on snowshoes will better your learning experience, they will be provided at no charge.
Q: Is there a best time to take my avalanche training course?
A: Anytime there is snow coverage in the mountains! Historically, the most popular time is early season (November-January) so you can get your training in and have a long season of backcountry adventures ahead of you. Some people prefer to wait until later in the season to get their ski legs and to have higher snow totals in the backcountry, which can open up more venues during the course. Both options are great and the curriculum and certification is the same. If you have the flexibility, weekdays and courses later in the season may be less expensive due to off-peak demand — they also often have the added benefit of off-peak crowds in the mountains.
Q: My first preference in course dates/locations isn’t available. What are the chances of getting a spot if I get on the waitlist?
A: When a spot opens up on a sold out course, we contact everyone on the waitlist and it is first come, first served. Early season waitlists are often dozens of people, so the chances of getting a spot that opens up can sometimes be slim. We recommend you register for your next best choice and get on the waitlist to keep an eye out for transfer opportunities. There are no fees to transfer into a course that you’re waitlisted for.
Equipment
Q: Do I need to bring/purchase my own avalanche equipment before the course?
A: No. We can outfit you with a beacon, shovel, and probe from Backcountry Access to use on your course, free of charge. When you fill out your pre-course survey a few weeks before your course, please let us know if you will need this equipment.
Q: Do you rent backcountry skis, splitboards or snowshoes?
A: We have a limited number of snowshoes available upon request. Due to the large variety of sizes for backcountry equipment, we do not rent skis or splitboards. We recommend a pair of Dynafit skis or Weston Splitboards from Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder.
Q: Do you have recommendations on equipment that I should get for the course?
A: Yes! The AIARE 1 page has an equipment list tab that has a ton of gear recommendations from our guides. Keep in mind that this list is exhaustive to cover a variety of conditions. If you still have questions about equipment after reading our recommendations, please contact the guides in our office and we’d be happy to chat gear.
For purchasing, we recommend the wonderful folks at Neptune Mountaineering. Please consider the following brands for specific needs.
Technical Outerwear: Rab
Ski Boots: SCARPA
Skis: Dynafit
Snow Safety: BCA
Course Preparation & Online Learning
Q: Will there be any classroom work?
A: All classroom work will be online for the 2022/23 season. Each student will get access to an online portal which will give them access to online coursework. Your guide will be contacting you via email to schedule a group Zoom Session for the Wednesday evening prior to your course start date. This Zoom Session will take place from 6:00-8:00pm and will have other course participants in attendance. Please be on the lookout for that email.
Q: How do I access online learning?
A: Upon registration, students will receive an email that gives them access to the online learning portal. Studentsare required to have completed the online pre-course work before the Zoom Session on the Wednesday prior to each course start date. Completion of the AIARE 1 online pre-course work will help prepare you for getting the most out of your field days and is required to receive a certificate of completion for the course.
Q: I registered another person. How do they access online learning?
If you enrolled another person, we will need their contact information to provide membership access. Please contact our Service Team (service@coloradomountainschool.com) to get them registered with an online account and a membership.
Field Logistics
Q: Do you have any recommendations for where to stay during the course?
A: Yes! Please check out the lodging recommendations on our AIARE 1 web page.
Q: Will I be able to group up with my Friends or Family during the course?
A: Yes! When filling out our pre-course survey (sent a few weeks before your course), please provide the names of the participants you are signing up / or want to tour with.
Q: Is transportation provided?
A: No. Each participant is required to provide their own transportation each day. This includes driving to and from the trailhead or any meeting location for the course.
Q: Will I be able to carpool with my AIARE pod to our field days?
A: Due to current COVID-19 conditions, we do not encourage you to carpool with members outside of your household. Instructors are not allowed to carpool with students during this time.
Q: Will I need to pay a fee to enter any parks?
A: Yes, some venues, such as State and National Parks, require all users pay an entrance fee. These include, but are not limited to, RMNP ($25) and State Forest State Park (Cameron Pass, $9). Clients are responsible for their own entrance fees. You can also purchase a National Parks pass for $80 that will get you into any National Park for the whole year, but may not be eligible for State Parks (depends on the park).
Q: How long are the field sessions?
A: Field sessions can be anywhere from 3-6 hours in length depending on weather.
Self Care
Q : Is lunch provided? Or do we have to bring our own food?
A: Lunch is not provided. You are responsible for food and water during your course, and should arrive packed and ready to start your day. An average student may consume a total of 1200-1500 calories per day. This can be in the form or your favorite bars, nut mix, jerky, sandwiches, burritos, etc. Make sure you are hydrated for a full day moving in the mountains. We recommend 2L of water (at minimum). A lightweight thermos with a hot beverage can go a long way in cold temps!
Q : What should I wear?
A: We recommend bringing multiple clothing layers so you can layer up or layer down, depending on the weather and level of heat you are generating. There will be times that we’ll be generating heat by touring through the mountains or digging for avalanche rescue drills. You may want to delayer before doing aerobic exercise like this to avoid a future cold sweat. Other times, we will stop and sit in the snow (think snow pits). During these times, it is important to layer up and maintain our heat that we just generated. Having flexibility in your layering system allows you to adapt throughout the day. See our AIARE 1 equipment list tab for recommendations.
Q: How is COVID-19 going to be managed during my AIARE course?
A: As professional risk managers, we take the wellbeing of our guides and clients very seriously. Please see our COVID-19 Policy for more info.
Q: Will I be able to go to the bathroom during the course?
A: It’s important to plan appropriately. It’s best to hit the bathroom before leaving for the trailhead as not all trailheads have facilities. If there is a bathroom at the trailhead, take advantage of it; you may not see another one for up to six hours. We recommend you have a Wag Bag (sort of like a dog bag for humans) for emergencies. In preparation for your trip, please review Leave No Trace principles to learn how you can help protect our environment.
Other
Q: Is it appropriate to tip the guides?
A: Guiding is a service-oriented profession and a gratuity for a job well done is recommended and greatly appreciated! If you are unsure about how much is appropriate, a rule-of-thumb is to think about what you’d tip at a restaurant for quality service.
13 reviews for AIARE 1 Hybrid Course
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Noah Fields (verified owner) –
Took an AIARE 1 course from CMS and absolutely loved it. It was a great experience and I learned a ton about avalanche safety and backcountry travel. I highly recommend CMS!
Megan Reuss (verified owner) –
Steve provided outstanding instruction for our small group of 6. We were able to apply what we learned in the online portion of the course in the backcountry in a safe way. Steven was able to answer any and all questions we brought up in a clear and concise way.
chandlek70 (verified owner) –
Course was well managed by Ben and he prompted the students to become immersed in the course by actively thinking about the course objectives. Well done!
Megan Reuss (verified owner) –
My wife and I have wanted to get into backcountry skiing for years and finally made the jump to buying our setup. We wanted to ensure we were knowledgable enough about avalanche danger and terrain ahead of touring on our own, and CMS’s AIARE 1 course was the best we could ask for in terms of giving us a foundation to build our backcountry experience on. The online curriculum was easy to follow and helped set us up for a great weekend in the field up at Estes. Our instructor, Steve, was an absolutely amazing teacher and guide. He made the weekend a blast while challenging our group and was able to answer all of our questions, whether gear or avalanche condition-related, with his vast experience in the backcountry. I would highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to get a proper backcountry education under their belt and have fun doing it ahead of hitting the trails.
kayla.dome (verified owner) –
Everett did an awesome job combining education with what we are all passionate about; skiing. He helped us understand the importance of everything he taught us and why it mattered. His passion and understanding of the snow really helped us all feel safe. I would recommend this course to anyone who loves skiing both in bounds and out of bounds as a way to understand the mountain.
Casey Romeo (verified owner) –
I learned an incredible amount during my AIARE 1 course. Before taking the course, I did not know how to properly dissect the risks of going into the backcountry, and now I feel comfortable with the next steps for going into the backcountry safely.
CJ Amman (verified owner) –
I really enjoyed the AIARE structure with the online classwork upfront and then apply that knowledge to the backcountry for 2 days. I thought the online coursework was not only educational it was professional as well. The backcountry experience was exceptional. I really enjoyed my instructor and how we had the opportunity experience the online learning.
Matthew Ramey (verified owner) –
Great course, the online learning portion was ok, and could have been better, but we had a supportive and caring guide who really made the course, both in the online sessions and in the field.
Hanna Doyle (verified owner) –
AIARE 1 was a great experience. I learned so much and had a great time being in the outdoors with friends.
Leah Livingston (verified owner) –
Ben is awesome and provided WAYYY more information that I could have imagined. We had two amazing ski tours in Hidden Valley and Bear Lake. Would highly recommend to anyone that wants to learn more about skiing outside the resorts!
William Wiese (verified owner) –
Ian was an incredible instructor. He made things easy to understand and showed us how to apply our knowledge in the field.
Jerry Byrd (verified owner) –
Thank you Katie for sharing your knowledge and passion with us! It was an enjoyable couple of days at Cameron Pass!
little_castaldo (verified owner) –
Took AIARE I in February 2021 and had a fantastic time! Our instructor, Sarah, was fabulous, and the educational value exceeded my expectations.