“It’s awesome to have affordable access to this experienced group of instructors” - Mary K.

overview

Price: $550.00 per person

Course Commitment: 5 hours of self-directed study, (1) Evening Online Class & (2) 8-Hour Field Days

At the Mountain Bureau LLC our instructors are former ski patrollers, active Pro Observers for NWAC, certified ski guides, and professional climbers and skiers. Our program is arguably the best value in the region and built for your connivance. There is no better team of professionals to instruct you on this 3-part series in “Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain”. The AIARE 1 course spans 24 hours and serves as a comprehensive introduction to managing avalanche hazards. Throughout the program, students can anticipate gaining a solid foundation in trip preparation for the backcountry, acquiring essential decision-making skills in the field, and learning rescue techniques necessary for locating and extricating a buried individual in the event of an avalanche incident.

The AIARE 1 course is for ANYONE, regardless of method of travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. All of The Mountain Bureau’s AIARE 1 courses are available to backcountry skiers, splitboarders, and snowshoers. Students planning to travel on backcountry skis or splitboards should be comfortable with the use of all of their touring equipment and be capable of moving efficiently both uphill and downhill in mixed conditions. See Student Mobility Expectations below for more details.

Is this the right course for you?

If you are new to backcountry skiing or splitboarding, we highly recommend starting your progression with an Intro to Backcountry Skiing + AIARE Rescue or an Intro to Splitboarding + AIARE Rescue. These courses are part of The Mountain Bureau’s “New Backcountry Progression” and will help you get the most out of your AIARE 1 course, in addition to putting you on the path to becoming a great touring partner.

Details

Location: Mt. Baker, Washington (Snoqualmie Pass Courses also Available)
Ratio: 6:1 student to instructor
Format: 5 hours of self-directed study, (1) Evening Online Class & (2) 8-Hour In-Person Field Days
Cost: $550.00 per person
Dates: See Dates Below

Session #1: Dec. 5-8, 2024 (Thur Evening Online Class, Sat/Sun Field Sessions)
***Snowshoes, Backcountry Skis & Splitboards Welcome***

Session #2: Dec. 18-22, 2024 (Wed Evening Online Class, Sat/Sun Field Sessions)
***Snowshoes, Backcountry Skis & Splitboards Welcome***

Session #3: Jan. 8-12, 2025 (Wed Evening Online Class, Sat/Sun Field Sessions)
***Snowshoes, Backcountry Skis & Splitboards Welcome***

Session #4: Jan. 22-26, 2025 (Wed Evening Online Class, Sat/Sun Field Sessions)
***Snowshoes, Backcountry Skis & Splitboards Welcome***

Topics covered

Snowpack
Avalanche Phenomenon
Terrain Analysis
Stability Evaluation
Avalanche Hazard Ratings
Human Factors And Risk Assessment
Decision Making

Learning objectives

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 Risk Management Framework to make terrain choices in a group setting.

• Demonstrate effective companion rescue.

Itinerary

Online Class Sessions (Pre-Course Learning)
After you register for the course, you will receive an invitation to join the online learning portion of the course. Here you will find modules that you will work through at your own pace with checks for understanding along the way. These must be done prior to the Webinar Session as they prepare you for topics that will be covered during your Webinar Session and Field Sessions.

Webinar Session
Day 1- Webinar 6:00pm-9:00pm
We will begin promptly at 6 pm with introductions and course goals. We will spend this time reviewing the material covered in the online learning component, as well as checking for understanding of this material. We have found this blended learning style offers students a significantly deeper understanding of the course material compared to a traditional course. Next we will shift the focus to mountain snowpack, avalanche problems and terrain analysis. This is the key element to staying alive in avalanche terrain and will be one of the largest topics taught on the entire course. With that information we will apply the AIARE tools and start our planning and preparation process of selecting terrain, assembling the group, and reviewing tour maps.

Field Sessions

Field Day #1 Will begin outdoors with an introductory training in avalanche rescue (we also teach a separate full-day AIARE Rescue Course that provides more in-depth training). We will focus on practicing with our beacons, shovels and probes in a variety of exercises and rescue scenarios. By mid morning, we will do a short tour focused on practicing field observations and snowpack tests and how they relate to decision making in the backcountry. By the end of the day, you will be a competent and confident beacon operator and an asset to any rescue situation. What we learn on this day will inform our plan for day-2.

Field Day #2 Will will be a full day traveling in the mountains. We will leave early and head out for a full day of backcountry touring. Here we will cover such topics as terrain analysis and route selection, safe travel techniques, and incorporating field observations into the touring day. This will be a full day with lots of information and small group workshops. Expect to be wrapped up between 4:00pm and 5:00pm.

Includes

Access to credentialed guides and avalanche forecasters
Student handbook
Field notebook
Evening lectures and field instruction, taught by AIARE certified instructors

Excludes

Transportation to and from the meeting location
Lunches and snacks
Personal clothing
Transceivers, shovels, probes
Touring equipment

student mobility expectations

Students must be able to confidently ascend, traverse, or descend slopes of up to 35 degrees in challenging conditions such as deep powder, breakable crust, ice, and/or tight trees. Students must know how to use their touring equipment, transition, and perform a kick turn. Students must be able to carry a 20 pound backpack on a 4 mile tour with 1300 feet of elevation gain in challenging snow conditions and weather. Please honestly assess your abilities.

Overestimating one’s abilities can lead to injury (very serious in the winter backcountry), negatively affecting one’s avalanche education, and/or negatively affecting the travel and education of the group. We want you to have the best experience possible so if you have any questions or concerns please contact us. We are here to help. If you feel that you do not meet the student mobility expectations for the AIARE 1 right now that is okay. We have options for everyone. These include enrolling in an Intro to Touring course, taking an AIARE 1 on snowshoes, or taking an AIARE 1 once you are ready. Thank you for understanding.

Activity Resources

• Equipment List

Minimum Age

Students 16-17 years old, with consent from a parent or guardian and prior approval by The Mountain Bureau (please call or email prior to enrolling)

All scheduled programs can also be booked with custom dates and itineraries. Please see our Custom Guiding pages for more information or Contact Us for a custom program.

All programs are subject to the Mountain Bureau LLC Terms & Conditions