- Most Popular
- Ages 16+ Ages Ages 16+
- Intermediate Skill Level Intermediate
Join us for a one-day course learning about the best practices in avalanche rescue techniques and how to use the types of equipment in realistic scenarios.
Quick Details
Avalanche Safety
Traveling in a winter environment has inherent risk. Snow conditions dramatically change throughout the winter, affecting snow stability. The ability to recognize avalanche terrain and have a decision-making framework to travel in avalanche terrain is critical to your safety. This AIARE Level 1 avalanche course is designed to give students a basic understanding of why avalanches occur and to develop a framework for making decisions while traveling in avalanche terrain. Additionally, the course provides instruction in beacon use and companion rescue should an avalanche occur.
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Our AIARE 1 Course will be one online learning day followed by 2 field days. AIARE is still rolling out details of the online learning day and we will forward those to you as they supply them. Please allow 8 hours for the online learning day.
Online learning day covers:
An overview of avalanche types and characteristics. We will introduce case studies to analyze avalanche incidents. Course progression includes:
Introduction to the Avalanche Phenomena:
- Types and characteristics of avalanches
- Avalanche motion
- Size classification
- The mountain snowpack: an introduction to metamorphism and layering
Trip Planning and Preparation:
- Avalanche terrain recognition, assessment, and selection
- Route finding and travel techniques
- Decision making and Human Factors
Two-Day Itinerary:
Day 1 (Saturday) – Meet in the field 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- This day will involve a combination of indoor and outdoor training. The day will start with a discussion of weather observations and how to use a daily avalanche bulletin to assess risk. After the initial discussion, we will travel to an outdoor location to introduce beacons and companion rescue. The day ends with a route planning session as we prepare for our final day, a full day in the mountains.
Day 2: Meets in the field 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- The day will start with a discussion of weather observations and how to use a daily avalanche bulletin to assess risk. We will then carpool to an outdoor location to travel into the backcountry. During the day we focus on appropriate travel techniques, features of the snowpack, and terrain identification. We end the day with a mock rescue scenario and debrief.
Location Notes:
Washington locations aim to stay as close to Seattle as possible, so we will be at Snoqualmie Pass if snow conditions allow. Earliest season courses may not see enough snow, and that will dictate whether we drive to Blewett Pass or Mt Rainier.
All Oregon courses happen on Mt Hood, on the Timberline side of the mountain.
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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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The Level 1 Avalanche Course is a stand-alone course. Some backcountry snow travel is highly recommended.
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- Describe a basic framework for making decisions in avalanche terrain.
- Plan and prepare for travel in avalanche terrain.
- Identify avalanche terrain.
- Learn and apply effective companion rescue.
- Describe a basic framework for making decisions in avalanche terrain.
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- 16 hours of professional field instruction
- 8 hours of online curriculum (delivered in email, following your registration confirmation)
- AIARE Level 1 curriculum handouts to add to your home library
- An AIARE field book
- A group snow study kit
- AIARE 1 Certificate
- 16 hours of professional field instruction
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- Winter travel equipment
- Transportation
- Lunch
- Personal layers
- Personal avalanche safety gear: beacon, probe, and shovel
- Winter travel equipment
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You will need to provide one of the following snow travel tools:
- Snowshoes with waterproof boots (we recommend insulated boots)
- Skis, boots, and bindings (Metal edge skis, plastic boots, and Randonee/alpine touring/downhill Telemark bindings). Please note: 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)
- Additional equipment needed:
- Personal avalanche safety gear: beacon, probe, and shovel.
- Personal layers
- Personal avalanche safety gear: beacon, probe, and shovel.
- 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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Consider joining a Skiing/Splitboarding: Intermediate course to spend more time with a professional instructor in the field.
