Course Duration: 24 hours in-person

Course Description: This course introduces you to the fundamentals of managing avalanche hazards in the backcountry. You’ll learn a clear, repeatable process for assessing and managing risk, planning and executing backcountry trips, communicating effectively in avalanche terrain, and performing companion rescues if an avalanche occurs.

Why Take Your AIARE 1 With Us? Our in-person AIARE 1 courses are led by IFMGA/AMGA Ski Guide Course Leaders, ensuring the highest level of professional instruction. We keep our classes small at a maximum of 12 students with 2 instructors which creates a more personal learning environment that encourages discussion, participation, and hands-on experience.

Who Should Take This Course:  AIARE 1 is designed for anyone who travels in or near avalanche terrain, regardless of their mode of travel, whether skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or climbing.

It is also the required prerequisite for both AIARE 2 and the Pro 1 course for those pursuing a professional track in avalanche education. 

What You’ll Learn: Through a mix of classroom sessions and field instruction, you’ll gain practical skills in:

• Applying a repeatable process for backcountry risk management
• Identifying avalanche hazards and terrain
• Planning safe and efficient travel routes
• Building awareness, communication, and decision-making habits
• Practicing avalanche rescue and response

$649 per student

Included:  IFMGA/AMGA Ski Guide Course Leader, AIARE Field Book, student resources, use of Ortovox transceiver/probe/shovel.

Not Included:  Transportation, accommodations, food, and guide gratuity.

Required Gear:  Full alpine touring/splitboard setup.  Full winter backcountry gear. For more details, see our Gear List on this page.

Need To Rent Gear?
Mountain Chalet (downtown Colorado Springs) is offering a 25% discount on AT/splitboard rentals to our AIARE course participants! Stop by the shop to get outfitted with the latest gear and to lock in your discount.

Prerequisites:

• Advanced Skiing/Riding Skills: Students should confidently ski or ride blue/black runs in all conditions (powder, ice, wind, crust, etc.). Off-piste (off-groomer) experience is highly recommended to prepare for variable backcountry snow and obstacles.
• Uphill Travel Experience: Students must be familiar with skinning and transitions. Practicing touring at resorts or with experienced partners is encouraged. Beginners to backcountry ski gear should consider our Intro to Backcountry Skiing or Splitboarding courses first, so you can better focus on snowpack evaluation and terrain recognition during your AIARE course.
• Beginners to backcountry ski gear and touring should consider our 1-day Intro to Backcoutry Skiing or Splitboarding courses first.

Being comfortable with both uphill and downhill skills allows you to focus on snowpack evaluation, and terrain recognition during yourAIARE course.

Either AIARE I and AIARE Avalanche Rescue can be taken first or without the other.

Maximum Group Size:  6 students to 1 instructor (12:2 maximum course size).

Important Note:  Due to high interest in this course, payment in full is required at the time of registration. AIARE I courses are refundable 30 days from the course start less a 10% administrative fee.

Visit AIARE’s website here.