- Beginner Skill Level Beginner
- Ages 16+ Ages Ages 16+
Learn the fundamental skills needed to explore the backcountry on skis or a snowboard.
Quick Details
Avalanche Rescue Procedure Course
We are offering a 2-day ski touring and AIARE Rescue course this year. The following dates are 2-day courses:
(Dates to come)
AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one-day stand-alone course that is intended to be retaken on a regular basis in order to stay current with best practices in avalanche rescue techniques and equipment.
The course is suitable for both new and returns participants as each course will cover both the current practices for basic companion rescue as well as more advanced scenarios. All students will be shown systems for additional practice on their own in between courses.
Each participant will receive a rescue card at the end of the course and will be given individual professional coaching.
AIARE recommends that all backcountry users take this course at least every other year in order to maintain a current skillset and continuously learn and review the latest techniques in avalanche rescue.
It is important to note that the avalanche rescue components previously taught on an AIARE Level 1 course have been deemphasized in order to provide more field time for developing the decision-making skills that prevent backcountry users from being caught in avalanches.
**Please note any course operating within the Mt. Hood National Forest is run through the Northwest School of Survival. Kaf Adventures is a booking agent for their programming**
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Mt. Baker Ski Area, Stevens Pass backcountry, Snoqualmie Pass, Mount Rainier National Park, or Mount Hood, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Also offered at Schweitzer, in Idaho, through our partner, Selkirk Powder.
As a full day, participants will meet at a designated park and ride conveniently for all participants. Please consider driving as a caravan and all driving will take place on plowed roads to the summit passes. Chains for your vehicle will be required.
The course covers:
- Beacon use and how to wear it
- Beacon function: range checks
- Techniques on how to locate target quickly and efficiently
- Practice searching in a single-burial scenario
- Rescue digging
- Practice searching multi-burial scenario
- Group rescue
There will be some snow travel on this course. Please plan on bringing your snowshoe/ski/split board gear you would use in the backcountry for practice. There will be long moments of standing in the snow for education in a cold environment. Plan on standing in the snow for up to 30 minutes at a time as well as long periods of physical movement.
Plan on being home by 7 p.m.
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- 18+ for adult courses or 16+ with consent from a guardian and Kaf approval
- 12-18 for youth courses
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- Students must be able to travel on snowshoes, skis or split board in a backcountry setting.
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Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Avalanche Rescue Course, the student should be able to:
- Describe what to do if they or a member of their party is caught in an avalanche.
- Identify and be able to use the gear necessary for avalanche rescue.
- Set up a realistic scenario in order to practice avalanche rescue response.
- Improve their response time and skills during and after the course, through feedback from instructors and peers.
- Develop a plan for continued practice.
All participants will work intensively with our AIARE instructors during realistic, timed scenarios. At the conclusion of each scenario, you will be given detailed feedback on how to improve your technique and tips on how you can continue to train on your own time throughout the season.
If you have previously taken an AIARE 1 or an Avalanche Rescue Course, this is an opportunity to refresh your skills. You will also benefit from being exposed to the latest practices, techniques, and equipment used for avalanche rescue. As guides and instructors, we train these techniques several times per season.
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- Eight hours of professional instruction with AIARE qualified instructors
- Rescue beacons for recovery
- Eight hours of professional instruction with AIARE qualified instructors
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- Personal probe, beacon, and shovel are required for this course
- Touring skis (not cross-country skis), split-boards, and snowshoes are all welcome options.
- Personal avalanche safety gear: beacon, probe, and shovel
- Personal probe, beacon, and shovel are required for this course
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- Snowshoes with waterproof boots (we recommend insulated boots)
- Skis, boots, and bindings (metal edge skis, plastic boots, and Randonee/alpine touring/downhill Telemark bindings). Cross-country skis will not work for backcountry tours.
- Splitboard with adjustable bindings that move into “tour” mode efficiently (Soft boots are okay, and hard boots are preferred.)
- Personal avalanche safety gear: beacon, probe, and shovel
- Personal layers
- Snowshoes with waterproof boots (we recommend insulated boots)
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- Transportation and times will be coordinated by email when the pre-trip announcement is sent to all registrants.
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Still can’t get enough snow? Join us for Skiing/Splitboarding: Intermediate or our Avalanche Safety Courses.
