Avalanche Rescue

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AVALANCE RESCUE

Learn and practice the skills needed to respond to an avalanche accident. In case of an avalanche, an efficient and developed response may be extremely important. This course is a 100% Field Course, the entire course will take place outdoors and in the field. Apex Mountain School offers AIARE Avalanche Rescue courses just about every week throughout the winter season.

Have you put off taking your Apex AIARE Level 1 course because you are worried about social distancing or could not get a Friday off from work? This Apex FLEX course offers an alternative.  The Apex FLEX course offers a remote course with evening sessions. Click HERE to learn more.

The AIARE Avalanche Rescue courses take a more in-depth approach to specific aspects of the AIARE curriculum such as the following.

POTENTIAL TOPICS

  • How to assign a leader
  • Organize a group
  • Implement structured search patterns
  • Recovery

Similarly, we adapt to the individual and collective skill levels of the participants. As a result, we provide the greatest value to the participant based on where they are with the rescue skills. Altogether, these skills may include the subsequent rescue techniques.

  • Avalanche rescue
  • Multiple burial
  • Deep burial
  • Triage
  • Other aspects of backcountry rescue

Additionally, winter travel in the Colorado Rockies and beyond demands a strong knowledge of the following items in order to appropriately asses and manage risk.

  • Avalanche terrain
  • Avalanche types and characteristics
  • Human characteristics
  • Group dynamics

This course provides world-class education through the internationally recognized AIARE curriculum. Please keep in mind, this is NOT a replacement of AIARE Level 1. Avalanche Rescue does not cover the same information. Instead, it should be considered additional avalanche education. Furthermore, AIARE has also made the one-day avalanche rescue course a prerequisite for AIARE Pro 1 and AIARE Level 2 courses.

PREREQUISITES

All ages 12 and up

Students should be prepared to travel in backcountry terrain by ski or splitboard (or snowshoe, if no other option). The course takes place in mountainous terrain, at altitude, possibly in harsh weather. As a result, we urge that students come prepared for unfavorable conditions. Suggestions for attire are located in the “to bring” tab.

BOOKING/ MORE INFO

All ages 12 and up

Are you ready to sign up? We look forward to working with you. So register with the accompanying calendar, call (970) 949-9111 or use our contact page to request more
Interested in an online AIARE Level 1 course that will better align with your work schedule and help promote social distancing? This Apex FLEX course offers an alternative.  The Apex FLEX course offers a remote course with evening sessions. Click HERE to learn more..
 

AVALANCHE RESCUE – QUICK INFO

AIARE Avalanche Rescue courses are one-day intensives focusing on avalanche rescue scenarios in a winter mountain environment. This course is a 100% Field Course, the entire course will take place outdoors and in the field. This is not a replacement of the AIARE Level 1 course. It is, however a prerequisite for AIARE Level 2 courses.

All ages 12 and up

2021-22 DATES

  • November17 and 24
  • December 1, 8, 15 and 29
  • January 5, 12, 19 and 26
  • February 2, 9, 16 and 23
  • March 2, 9, 16, 17, 23 and 30
  • April 6, 7 and 13

    *minimum 3 people to run

COST

$225 – per person

Includes:

  • Apex Mountain School Buff
  • SANS meal Bar
  • Companion Rescue Search Card
  • 1 Field Day
  • AIARE Certificate of Completion

DIFFICULTY

Easy – Moderate

LENGTH

One full day, 8am-4:30pm (8-9 hours)

*Start and end times are approximate

LOCATION

Meets at Office Avon, CO Field Location: Vail Valley, Vail Pass or Fremont Pass

*Courses run regardless of snow/weather conditions*

 

WHAT TO BRING

  • Beacon/probe/shovel (rental available)
  • Clinometer (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
  • Headlamp and batteries

 When Federally, Statewide, or Locally mandated and/or recommended, or when deemed appropriate by Apex staff, all students will be required to wear a COVID-apprioprate face covering at all times.

Participant Form

Policies

Interested in a Level 1 course? Check out our AIARE 1 Backcountry Couses, our AIARE Level 1 Backcountry FLEX, or our Private Course options.


The entire experience was literally life changing for me as an avid skier. I will never look at mountains the same…
This should be a mandatory course for anyone even considering back country skiing. The knowledge and focus of the teachers, the variety of material and the hands on one on one teaching both in the class room & the back country was life changing. I am now officially a “snow geek” & will embark on the next chapter of my ski life with a new pair of glasses. I cannot recommend this course strongly enough.

Greg N
★★★★★
Yelp.com