Become an effective mountain traveler

It’s all about learning to tune into the mountain-snow environment.  To learn ‘the sense’ is fundamental to our Avalanche Education philosophy.  We are all about a holistic approach to operating in the frozen mountains.  Avalanches are one part of the winter mountain puzzle but we want to give you more than just the basics, we want to put you on the track to understanding the snow and mountains in the intimate way necessary to not only avoid avalanches but travel safely and effectively as a skier or climber.

We are the only AIARE Provider in Colorado who guarantees you will work with a Certified Ski Guide.

Why Book With Us?

 Our programs are always staffed by professional ski guides with extensive personal experience guiding ski and split touring all over the world. Guides we trust to teach from their own personal experience, not just the book.  We are not here just to educate you on the basics we are here to provide mentorship and put you on the right track toward whatever your goals are.   

Open Enrollment

AIARE 1

We make Level One programs about having fun ski touring while largely avoiding avalanche terrain.  Through terrain avoidance we can reduce our uncertainty about avalanche exposure to nearly zero and focus on having fun.  Learning to tune in and find the good snow conditions in non-avalanche terrain teaches you the skills necessary to build up to skiing in steeper more consequential terrain or just have a lot more fun in lower angle terrain.

We’ll cover the following topics and skills:

• Use modern digital tools to tour plan for travel in or near avalanche terrain.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and avoid avalanche terrain as needed.
• Effectively use The AIARE Risk Management Framework to make terrain choices in a group setting.
• Demonstrate effective companion rescue.
• Begin tuning into the snow mountain environment and learning to find good ski conditions

Advanced Movement

AIARE 1

What does advanced movement mean? 

Many people taking AIARE classes are already skilled inbound skiers and riders who have the ability and desire to access consequential avalanche terrain.  These program are built around those looking to be in the game for the long haul and want to be accessing big terrain on their own in the future.  These programs focus on providing mentorship around the fundamentals but also real talk about what it will take to get where you want to go and make a plan.

 Prerequisite

• At least one full season ski touring
• Ability to ski or ride black diamond terrain confidently
• Ability to tour for 2500-ft vertical

Open Enrollment

AIARE 2

 Prerequisite

• Completion of AIARE 1
• Completion of AIARE Rescue 

Open Enrollment

Rescue Course 

The Avalanche Rescue Course is a one-day course aimed both at new and experienced recreational backcountry travelers and aspiring avalanche professionals.

AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one-day stand alone course that is intended to be retaken on a regular basis in order to keep abreast of best practices in rescue techniques and gear.  There is a spectrum of topics available to cover on these programs but we like to focus on two principle goals:

1. How does transceiver rescue fit into the larger rescue plan?  What do after an avalanche? How to build an emergency shelter to shelter in place or how to use a rescue sled to self evac.
2. Making sure participants have the fundamental transceiver technique to practice on their own effectively. 

AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a prerequisite for the AIARE 2 and Pro 1 courses. AIARE recommends that all backcountry travelers keep their skills current by taking an Avalanche Rescue course and receiving a rescue card at least every other year.