Avalanche education in the United States is structured to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to safely explore avalanche-prone terrain. The framework for avalanche education in the USA involves key organizations, including the American Avalanche Association (AAA), the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), as well as course providers and the instructors that work for them. Here’s an overview of how these components work together to offer structured avalanche education:
1. American Avalanche Association (AAA):
The AAA serves as the governing body for avalanche professionals and organizations in the USA. Its primary role is to establish industry standards, promote best practices, and ensure the quality and consistency of avalanche education. The AAA is instrumental in setting the guidelines that shape avalanche certification across the country. Any certification you get from completing a course is a AAA certification.
2. American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE):
AIARE is a prominent provider of avalanche education programs in the USA. It offers a standardized curriculum and a structured progression of courses that are approved by the AAA. So when you take an AIARE 1 what you are taking is a AAA approved Rec 1 course.
There are several organizations that provide approved AAA certifications. If your interested in how to pick a curriculum provider check out this post.
3. AIARE Course Providers:
AIARE courses are offered by a network of authorized course providers. These providers are certified to deliver AIARE courses and ensure that students receive consistent and high-quality instruction. These providers may include educational institutions, guide services, and outdoor organizations.
However, there are a wide variety of providers with a wide variety of instructors. It’s important to consider providers who use certified ski guides if you want the most value out of your programs.
Students can choose from a variety of AIARE course providers across the USA, allowing them to select courses that fit their location and schedule.
4. Should I enter the professional track?
The Pro track is really meant for people who want to enter the industry. While it does provide some practical skills and opportunities for mentorship that would be beneficial to a recreational skier, much of what it covers is not very practical. Much of the first course is dedicated to operational level snow study to prepare workers to conduct observations to a standard acceptable for academic research or liability protection for an commercial operation. I generally do not recommend taking a pro level course to recreational skiers as it is not a cost effective use of their time and money given their typical goals.
4. How does the Avy 3 program if into the American Avalanche Association framework?
Well the short answer is, it doesn’t. This is a proprietary program that is not meant to provide a certification. It is meant to provide the most practical professional level tools to recreational skiers and riders who don’t have the time, money or desire to enter into the expensive and time consuming professional track. Essentially it is a cost effective mentorship and networking opportunity.