AIARE LEVEL 1 & AVALANCHE RESCUE COMBO COURSE

Course Itinerary

The AIARE Level 1 / Rescue Combo Course is divided into four immersive days. Each day focuses on different aspects of avalanche education, ensuring participants gain a comprehensive foundation in backcountry travel and rescue skills.

The AIARE Level 1 course runs Friday to Sunday and provides the foundational knowledge needed to travel safely in avalanche terrain. This course emphasizes terrain analysis, snowpack evaluation, and decision-making frameworks.

Rescue Day (Thursday or Monday)

• A full field day dedicated to companion rescue techniques.
• Learn effective beacon use, probing and strategic shoveling.
• Practice realistic scenarios, including multiple burial drills and micro-grid searching.
• Gain insight into avalanche emergency dynamics, including emotional management and group leadership.
• Note: This is a field day. Bring your full backcountry gear, including beacon, shovel and probe.

Level 1 – Classroom Day (Friday)

• Theoretical avalanche education, no gear required.
• Dive into avalanche awareness, snowpack dynamics and terrain analysis.
• Interactive discussions and diagrams to understand avalanche anatomy and risk management.
• Begin preparation for fieldwork with trip planning and group discussions.

Level 1 – Field Tour Day (Saturday)

• Guided backcountry tour led by experienced instructors.
• Learn practical applications like terrain assessment, route planning and avalanche red-flag identification.
• Gain a surface-level introduction to companion rescue techniques.
• Hands-on training in using beacons, probes and shovels.
• Note: This is a field day. Full backcountry gear required.

Level 1 – Field-Led Student Tour (Sunday)

• A mentorship-focused day where students take the lead.
• Plan routes, navigate terrain, and make group decisions under instructor guidance.
• Reinforce skills like group communication, terrain management and risk mitigation in real-world conditions.
• Note: This is a field day. Full backcountry gear required.

How It Works

If your first day is Thursday (Rescue Day):

• Day 1 (Thursday): Rescue field day – bring your gear.
• Day 2 (Friday): Level 1 classroom day – no gear needed.
• Day 3 (Saturday): Level 1 field day – bring your gear.
• Day 4 (Sunday): Level 1 field day – bring your gear.

If your first day is Friday (Level 1 Classroom):

• Day 1 (Friday): Level 1 classroom day – no gear needed.
• Day 2 (Saturday): Level 1 field day – bring your gear.
• Day 3 (Sunday): Level 1 field day – bring your gear.
• Day 4 (Monday): Rescue field day – bring your gear.

2025-2026 Dates

View number of available spots on above booking calendar or contact us for custom group bookings.

• November 14 – 17 (Friday – Monday)
• November 21 – 24 (Friday – Monday)
• November 28 – December 01 (Friday – Monday)
• December 04 – 07 (Thursday – Sunday)
• December 11 – 14 (Thursday – Sunday)
• December 18 – 21 (Thursday – Sunday) *Rescue also available Monday, December 22!!!
• December 26 – 29 (Friday – Monday)
• January 02 – 05 (Friday – Monday)
• January 09 – 12 (Friday – Monday)
• January 16 – 19 (Friday – Monday)
• January 22 – 25 (Thursday – Sunday)
• January 29 – February 01 (Thursday – Sunday)
• February 05 – 08 (Thursday – Sunday)
• February 13 – 16 (Friday – Monday)
• February 20 – 23 (Friday – Monday)
• February 27 – March 02 (Friday – Monday)
• March 06 – 09 (Friday – Monday)
• March 12 – 15 (Thursday – Sunday)
• March 19 – 22 (Thursday – Sunday)
• March 26 – 29 (Thursday – Sunday)
• April 02 – 05 (Thursday – Sunday)
• April 09 – 12 (Thursday – Sunday)
• April 16 – 19 (Thursday – Sunday)

Apex Mountain School Provides

• AIARE Field Book & Certificate of Completion
• Classroom and field instruction
• Companion Rescue Search Card
• Apex SWAG (Stuff We All Get)

Excludes:

• Lodging, food, and transportation
• Skiing/splitboarding gear and avalanche safety equipment rentals (rentals available upon request)
• Trip insurance
• Unforeseen costs

Required

• Beacon/probe/shovel (rental available)
• Clinometer (BCA slope meter, also available on compasses)
• Complete ski, split board or snowshoe equipment, including boots, poles, etc
• *No cotton – cotton does not wick moisture or insulate when wet.
• Long underwear bottom (thin) – synthetic or wool
• Long sleeve top (medium) – synthetic or wool
• Socks – synthetic or wool
• Ground mat (insulation so you can sit on snow)
• Water/wind proof jacket with hood, pants, and gloves
• Notebook (for lecture day)
• Any other items you would typically have in your pack on a backcountry trip
• Warm gloves or mittens
• Hat and neck gaiter or balaclava
• Goggles or sunglasses
• Small day pack
• Water bottle and food

Also Recommended

• Loupe (at least 10x zoom)
• Snow Saw (minimum 30cm)
• Snow crystal card
• Hand warmers
• Hot liquid
• Liner socks
• Adjustable Poles
• Extra gloves
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle insulator

HOW CAN I PREPARE?

Completion of e-learning modules is encouraged by AIARE prior to the start of all courses, but not required. AIARE Level 1 modules often take about 4 hours.

Participants should be prepared to travel in backcountry terrain by ski or split board (snowshoes are acceptable if no other option). All AIARE Level 1 Backcountry courses take place in mountainous terrain, at altitude. Apex encourages students to come prepared for all mountain weather conditions.

Are you new to the backcountry or looking to hone your ski or splitboard skills prior to an AIARE Avalanche course in Colorado? Beginner Backcountry Ski and Split boarding outings with Apex are an excellent way to prepare! During a Vail Backcountry Skiing private outing, your Apex Mountain School guide will work with you on both up and downhill travel techniques and transitions as well as navigating in a backcountry environment.

Also, consider our Level 1 Prep Course in order for preparation specific to the Level 1 Course and Backcountry Preparedness!