AIARE LEVEL 1 ZOOM COURSE
If you have put off taking your Apex AIARE Level 1 course because you couldn’t or don’t want to take a Friday off from work, we have the solution. This Zoom course offers an alternative!
With this Zoom course you can learn the classroom material from the comfort of your home during two evening classes. Then join us in person for the backcountry field days offered in our typical AIARE Level 1 Backcountry Course.
We offer one Zoom course each month. Following this zoom course you will have 4 weeks to join us in the field to complete your Level 1 training and receive your AIARE Level 1 certificate.
BOOKING
Ready to start your avalanche education? Our guides are excited to work with you. Register on this page with the accompanying calendar. For more information, please visit our Contact Page
AIARE Level 1 Zoom – Quick Info
Learn from home with the new Apex Zoom schedule.
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.)
2023-24 DATES
- November 14 and 16
- December 12 and 14
- January 9 and 11
- February 13 and 15
- March 12 and 14
Online classes take place Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm to 9pm .
Field days take place Saturday & Sunday approximately 8am-5pm.
COST
Course – $69 (Zoom course) $645 (Field Days)
Includes:
- Student Manual
- AIARE Field Book
- Apex Mountain School Buff
- SANS meal Bar
- 2 Remote Session Class Days, Tuesday and Thursday, 6pm-9pm
- 2 Full Field Days, 8am-5pm
- AIARE Certificate of Completion
DIFFICULTY
Easy – Moderate
DURATION
- ~4-hour online e-learning module
- Two, 3-hour, remote evening sessions
- Two, 9-hour, field days
- Total Time ~ 27 hours*
*Total Course Time includes pre-course e-learning module
FIELD LOCATIONS
Vail Valley, Vail Pass, Fremont Pass and/or surrounding areas
See our inclusion policy for special group requests.
*Courses run regardless of snow/weather conditions*
Virtual Learning
Participants will meet with their instructor(s) virtually, through an online platform. Class takes place Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. During these 3-hour sessions, students will have the opportunity to view interactive diagram explanations, work on small group activities, and then ask questions. Participants are expected to complete a series of pre-course e-learning modules provided by AIARE (details provided after booking) prior to attendance of your zoom classroom sessions. Additional out of class assignments may be given.
PREREQUISITES
Students should be prepared to travel in backcountry terrain by ski or splitboard (or snowshoe, if no other option). The field dates take place in mountainous terrain, at altitude. Apex encourages students to come prepared for all mountain weather conditions.
Are you new to the backcountry and want to sharpen your skills before the course? We offer Vail Backcountry Skiing private outings, where you’ll work with your guide on uphill and downhill travel techniques, transitions and navigating in a backcountry environment. We also offer Avalanche Prep Trips where you can work with an instructor to increase your skills in identifying avalanche terrain, route management, navigation and other skills.
WHAT TO BRING
- 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)
- Warm gloves or mittens
- Hat and neck gaiter or balaclava
- Goggles or sunglasses
- Small day pack
- Water bottle and food
- Headlamp and batteries
- Any other items you would have in your pack on a normal backcountry trip
ALSO RECOMMENDED
- Loupe (at least 10x zoom)
- Snow Saw (minimum 30cm)
- Snow crystal card
YOU MAY ALSO CONSIDER
- Hand warmers
- Hot liquid
- Liner socks
- Adjustable Poles
- Extra gloves
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle insulator
When federally, statewide, or locally mandated/recommended, or when deemed appropriate by Apex staff, all students will be required to wear a COVID-appropriate face covering at all times.
AIARE Level 1 Zoom Curriculum
FUNDAMENTALS
The Apex AIARE Level 1 Zoom course consists of 2 virtual class sessions and 2 field days. During the course we will focus on the following elements:
- The characteristics and types of avalanches
- Movement of avalanches
- Classifications by size and danger scale
- Mountain snowpack: metamorphism and layering
- Heuristics or Human Factors and group management
- Mapping, time management, route finding and navigation, as well as the latest standardized electronic tools and data/planning sites
- Using the AIARE field book
- Companion Rescue
- and more
CLASS DISCUSSIONS
We will learn:
- How our behavior can effect our interaction with the backcountry
- Trip planning and preparation
- Risk management and decision-making
- Human influence in:
- Group dynamics
- Decision-making
- Accidents
The topics listed above will first be discussed during the virtual evening class sessions then applied in person on the weekend field days.
APPLYING SKILLS
The field days’ topics will include:
- Trip planning and prep
- Beacon, shovel and probe use
- Avalanche rescue, beacon search and strategic shoveling
- Identifying and evaluating avalanche terrain
- Route-finding, terrain management and travel techniques
- Group management
- Snow pit and snow layer analysis and tests
- Questions to ask in risk evaluation
- Identifying “red flags”
- and more
