AIARE I Avalanche Course
The AIARE 1 is a decision making course for backcountry travelers wanting to learn to manage their personal and group risk and conduct the most effective companion rescue possible in the event of an accident.
The AIARE 1 is a decision making course for backcountry travelers wanting to learn to manage their personal and group risk and conduct the most effective companion rescue possible in the event of an accident. We offer courses this year out of Mammoth Lakes! These are the best Level 1 courses in the country, developed and taught by the most experienced AIARE qualified instructors in the industry.
Pro-skier Chris Bentchetler tries his own signature skis out on a Rutschblock during an AIARE 1 avalanche course.
Students are encouraged and counseled on how to apply the skills learned.
Winter 23 /24 Course Dates:
- December 15-17
- December 27-29 (Weekdays)
- January 5-7
- January 13-15
- January 24-26 (Weekdays)
- February 2-4
- February 17-19
- March 1-3
- March 15-17
- March 22-24
- April 5-7
The Level 1 is a three day, 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazard management that will:
- Provide a basic understanding of avalanches
- Describe a framework for decision making and risk management in avalanche terrain
- Give lessons and exercises that are practically oriented, useful, and applicable in the field.
- Teach to ask the right questions, rather than look for the “answer.”
- Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).
A final debrief includes a knowledge quiz to test student comprehension and to give feedback to instructors on instructional tools. Students are encouraged and counseled on how to apply the skills learned and told that no course can fully guarantee safety, either during or after course completion. A link is made to a future AIARE 2 course.
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the Level One course the student should be able to:
- Plan and prepare for travel in avalanche terrain.
- Recognize avalanche terrain.
- Describe a basic framework for making decisions in avalanche terrain.
- Learn and apply effective companion rescue.
Instructional Sessions (24 hours including both class and field instruction):
1. Introduction to the Avalanche Phenomena
- Types and characteristics of avalanches
- Avalanche motion
- Size classification
- The mountain snowpack: an introduction to metamorphism and layering
2. Observations and Information Gathering
- Field observation techniques
- Snow column tests
- Avalanche danger factors- “Red Flags”
- Observation checklist
- Avalanche danger scale
3. Trip Planning and Preparation
4. Avalanche terrain recognition, assessment, and selection
5. Routefinding and travel techniques
6. Decision Making and Human Factors
7. Companion Rescue and Equipment
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Included
AIAREAIARE 1avalanche awarenessavalanche coursebackcountry skiBackcountry Skiingbackcountry snowboardEastern Sierra WinterJune LakeJune Mountainlevel 1Mammoth LakesMammoth Mountainsplitboard -
Not Included
14ers3D chute3rd pillar3rd Pillar DanaAIARE 2AlaskaAlaska skiingalpinealpine climbingalpine rock climbingAlpsAlps climbingAlps runningAlps skiingAlps trilogyAmerican Mountain Guides AssociationAMGAbackcountrybackcountry 101backpackingBear Creek SpireBerner OberlandBernese OberlandBishopBishop SkylineBlacksmith PeakBloody MountainBreakthroughBridgeportCaliforniaCalifornia fourteenerscampingCardinal PinnacleCarson PeakCelestial AretesChamonixChamonix climbingCharlotte Domechefclassic rock climbclassic Sierra rockclimbclimbingclimbing campclimbing skillsclimbing Swiss AlpsClyde MinaretConvict Creekcookcoursescourses instructioncramponCrest tourCrystal Cragcustomcustom private skiDana PlateaudestinationsDevil's SlideDolomitesDolomites climbingDouble Eagle ResortDream BowlEast ButtressEast FaceEastern Sierra climbingEastern Sierra skiingEigerEvolution LoopexamfastpackingFishhook AreteFour SeasonsFranceGlass CreekGrindelwaldguide courseHaute Routeheli assistedheli skiingHemlock RidgeHigh SierraHigh Sierra skiinghigh tourhikingHorse CreekhorsesHorsetail FallsHut to Hutice 101ice axeice climbingice climbing courseIncredible Hulkinstructionintermediate levelinternationalintroductoryintroductory ice climbing courseItalyJohn Muir TrailJohn Muir WildernessJungfrauKautz Glacierkidskids climbing programsLas Vegaslee viningLee Vining arealee vining canyonlevel 1 refresherlevel 2light and fastlightweightLone PineLone Pine PeakLovers LeapMammoth Lakes to YosemiteMammoth to JuneMammoth to YosemiteMatterhornMatterhorn PeakMcGee CreekMerriam Peakmixed climbingMonchMont BlancMont Blanc runMount ConnessMount DanaMount EmersonMount GabbMount HumphreysMount MillsMount Rainiermountain runningmountaineeringMountaineers RouteMt ConnessMt. DanaMt. EmersonMt. HumphreysMt. RussellMt. SillMt. TomMt. WhitneyMt. WinchellmulesmultidaynegativesNevadaNorth PalisadeNorth Peaknorth ridgeonion valley to mt. whitneyOrtlerOwens River Gorgepack outfitpack supportpackerspalisadesPalisades Glacier Camppeak descentsPeter CroftPine CreekPolemonium PeakportersPositive Vibrationsprivateprivate customprofessional developmentRed and White MountainRed Dihedralred rockRed Slate Mountainrescue skillsRitter Rangerockrock 201rock climbingRock CreekRock Creek to MammothSabre RidgeSan Joaquin RidgeSawtoothsself arrestself belayself rescueSequoia National ParksherpasSierraSierra 5.10sierra alpineSierra Mountain GuidesSierra NevadaSierra skiingsingle pitch instructorskiski guidingski mountaineeringski tourski touringskiingsnowsnow skillssnowboardSPIsportsport climbingStarlight PeaksupportedSwitzerlandTahoeTemple Cragthird pillarThompson PassThunderbolt PeakTiogatrad climbingtrail runningtraverseTuolumneTwin LakesUltra Trail Mont BlancultralightValdezVia Ferratawhite linewilderness tripwinterYosemiteyosemite national parkYosemite skiYost MeadowZermattZermatt Valley
Tour Plan and Info
Logistics
- Courses are based in our classroom in Mammoth Lakes.
- Start time is 8am each day and each day finishes before 4:30. Sometimes the instructor may ask if students are willing to start and finish earlier on the last day, depending on the group and conditions, to increase the rewards of the day.
Included with Course Cost
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- Trained and qualified AIARE instructor(s) with the leading avalanche training curriculum in the US
- Avalanche Rescue Equipment Rental/Demo (beacon, shovel, probe), if needed
- Group snow study equipment, as needed
- AIARE waterproof field book
- AIARE 1 Student Manual
Not Included
- Travel, Lodging, Food
- Backcountry Equipment - We do have full backcountry skiing equipment for rent with skis made locally in Mammoth for us by Community Skis. We have snowshoes, backpacks, and other items for rent also.