AIARE Level 1

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Backcountry

BACKCOUNTRY AIARE LEVEL 1

Increase your awareness and improve your decision-making by taking this 3 day AIARE Level 1 course for avalanche education. After, you and your group will be better prepared for managing snow avalanche hazards, and for making lower risk choices in ski and snowboard terrain. You’ll also gain a better understanding of human factors, terrain management strategies and avalanche response best practices.

Level 1 Zoom

AIARE LEVEL 1 ZOOM

Learn the decision-making skills necessary to evaluate avalanche terrain and be an informed backcountry traveler and with a new FLEXible schedule. Whether you want to respect social distancing guidelines and stay out of the indoor classroom or just cannot get a Friday off from work, the Apex AIARE Level 1 FLEX course was designed for you. Complete all classroom learning virtually, without sacrificing comfort or instructor access.  

Hut Based

HUT BASED AIARE LEVEL 1

Reduce your risk in the backcountry by growing your knowledge and skill set in this Hut based avalanche safety course. Experience the Colorado Rockies and stay in our private hut near Leadville, Colorado for 2 nights and 3 days. Get away from it all and immerse yourself in the curriculum, as well as our magical hut on the Continental Divide. Available as private outing.

Private

Private AIARE Avalanche Course

Expand your avalanche education and be prepared for your next backcountry skiing adventure. Build the knowledge and skills needed to be an informed skier through a personalized AIARE course. Apex Mountain School’s highly qualified instructors will provide individualized attention in a course structured specifically to fit your needs. Private Apex courses are available for any AIARE level course.

AIARE LEVEL 1 COLORADO

No matter which avalanche course you choose: Backcountry, Lift Accessed or Hut Based course, our staff is dedicated to a higher level of education and client experience. We encourage you to get to know our instructors, and we look forward to connecting with each of you individually.

We know that it truly is all about our clients, and we are grateful for the chance to be out there helping keep you safer with our avalanche course, while experiencing the beautiful mountains we love to share with you all.

WHAT IS AIARE?

The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE)  is a non-profit organizations that offers the only internationally recognized curriculum in the US. AIARE continues to research and develop their curriculum, standards and guidelines for instructors. All AIARE instructors must meet prerequisites and attend training sessions before they access the AIARE curriculum. Therefore, you can trust Apex’s AIARE instructors to get you ready for the backcountry.

WHAT IS AN AIARE LEVEL 1 COURSE LIKE?

The first day of the 3 day course will be spent in a classroom setting. There we cover avalanche characteristics, types and movements. We also discuss the metamorphism of a mountain snowpack and how human behavior can affect our interaction with the backcountry.

Afterwards, the following two days are spent in the backcountry where we continue to develop the previously mentioned topics. We will also discuss and use avalanche terrain equipment.

HOW TO PREPARE

Students should be prepared to travel in backcountry terrain by ski or splitboard (or snowshoe, if no other option). The avalanche course takes place in mountainous terrain, at altitude. At times, weather can be harsh. As a result, we urge that students come prepared for unfavorable conditions.

See our inclusion policy for special group requests.