AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course
Course Overview
This 3-day, 2-night AIARE Level 1 course is based at YurtSki on Mt. Morrell in the Swan Range. You will stay at the yurts with your instructors, spend the days in the field, and keep the debriefs going around the dinner table.
The course introduces a repeatable process for planning a tour, recognizing avalanche terrain, making observations, communicating with your group, and practicing companion rescue.
Why Take Your AIARE 1 with Us?
Lodging and meals are included, so you can focus on learning. Staying at the yurt with classmates and instructors creates more time for questions, debriefs, and a few powder turns along the way.
Who Should Take This Course
The AIARE 1 is for anyone, regardless of their method of backcountry travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. You should be able to travel off-trail on ungroomed or unmaintained terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow, but there are no other prerequisites for this course. The AIARE 1 is a prerequisite for the AIARE 2, as well as the Pro 1 course for aspiring avalanche professionals.
What You’ll Learn
- A repeatable process for managing risk in the winter backcountry
- Identifying avalanche hazard
- Developing a plan for travel in avalanche terrain
- Identifying avalanche terrain
- Building habits to maintain awareness, communicate with your group, and make decisions
- Learning and practicing avalanche rescue skills
Familiarity with touring gear (A/T bindings, splitboards, skins) is required; we will travel in the backcountry during this class.
Example Course Itinerary
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 9am — Meet at the Rich Guest Ranch parking area Morning in the classroom @ Ranch Introductions, pre-course review, classroom session | 8:30am — BREAKFAST Terrain, Prepare, Plan Tour + Snowpack/Weather Observations | 8:30am — BREAKFAST Plan + Tour |
| Lunch, rescue practice, tour, debrief, dinner @ yurt, post-dinner discussion | Lunch in the field, debrief, prepare, dinner @ yurt, post-dinner discussion | Lunch in the field, Ride Safe, debrief, ski/tow out, 5pm trailhead departure |