AVALANCHE RESCUE
Learn and practice the skills needed to respond to an avalanche accident. If there’s an avalanche, an efficient and intentional response is crucial. An AIARE Level 1 Backcountry course with Apex Mountain School promises current information, modern practices, and qualified instructors. Apex Mountain School offers AIARE Avalanche Rescue courses almost every week throughout the winter, so you can take this course at any time or couple it with your Level 1 course in our Combo Course.
This course takes place entirely in the field. Topics may include:
- Companion Rescue Fundamentals
- Complex Rescue Dynamics and Triage
- Multiple Burial Rescue Drills
- Close Proximity Burials
- Deep Burials
- Searching by Micro Grid and 3 Circle Methods
- Other Advanced Techniques
BOOKING
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
AVALANCHE RESCUE – QUICK INFO
AIARE Avalanche Rescue courses are one-day and focus 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. It is not a replacement of the AIARE Level 1 course but is, however, a prerequisite for AIARE Level 2 courses.
2024-25 DATES
- November 18 (Monday – available spots: 5)
- November 25 (Monday – available spots: 5)
- December 02 (Monday – available spots: 6)
- December 05 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
- December 12 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
- December 19 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
- December 30 (Monday – available spots: 6)
- January 06 (Monday – available spots: 6)
- January 13 (Monday – available spots: 6)
- January 20 (Monday – available spots: 6)
- January 23 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
- February 06 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
- February 13 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
- February 17 (Monday – available spots: 6)
- February 24 (Monday – available spots: 6)
- March 03 (Monday – available spots: 6)
- March 10 (Monday – available spots: 6)
- March 13 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
- March 20 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
- March 27 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
- April 03 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
- April 10 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
- April 17 (Thursday – available spots: 6)
**Minimum of 3 students required to run.**
**Availability updated weekly. For the most current availability, please check the booking calendar on the right side of the page.**
COST
$285 – per person
Includes:
- Apex Mountain School SWAG (Stuff We All Get)
- Companion Rescue Search Card
- 1 Field Day
- AIARE Certificate of Completion
DIFFICULTY
Easy – Moderate
LENGTH
One full day, 8.30am-4.30pm (8-9 hours)
*Start and end times are approximate
LOCATION
Meets either at our Office in Eagle-Vail, CO (see How to Find Us)
or
Field Location: Vail Valley, Vail Pass, Fremont Pass and/or surrounding areas
*Courses run regardless of snow/weather conditions*
See our inclusion policy for special group requests.
PREREQUISITES
This course is available to all ages 12 and up. (Ages 12-14 requires parents to attend also. All minor registrations must contact the office in advance of booking for prescreening approval.)
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.
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.
AVALANCHE RESCUE CURRICULUM
POTENTIAL TOPICS
- How to assign a leader
- Organize a group
- Implement structured search patterns
- Recovery
We adapt to the individual and collective skill levels of the participants. This way we provide the greatest value to the participants based on where they are with the rescue skills. These skills may include the subsequent rescue techniques.
- Avalanche rescue
- Multiple burial
- Deep burial
- Triage
- Other aspects of backcountry rescue
Winter travel in the Colorado Rockies and beyond demands a strong knowledge of the following items so we can 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 made the one-day avalanche rescue course a prerequisite for AIARE Pro 1 and AIARE Level 2 courses.
