LEVEL 1 CURRICULUM

In our 3 day, 24 hour AIARE level 1 private course, our curriculum focuses on the following:

• The characteristics and types of avalanches
• Movement of avalanches
• Classifications by size and danger scale
• Mountain snowpack: metamorphism and layering

ALSO DISCUSSED

• Trip planning and preparation
• Risk management and decision-making
• Human influence in:
  • group dynamics
  • decision-making
  • accidents

APPLYING SKILLS

Following classroom sessions, we will travel by backcountry ski, splitboard and snowshoe, and apply these learned foundations in a mountain snow environment, with a focus on:

• Beacon and probe use
• Identifying and evaluating avalanche terrain
• Route-finding and travel techniques
• Snow pit and snow layer analysis and tests
• What questions to ask in risk evaluation
• Identifying “red flags”
• Avalanche rescue and beacon search techniques

AIARE LEVEL 2 COURSE CURRICULUM

•  Reinforcement of Level 1 fundamentals
• Snow profiles, surface condition analysis, and the formation of snowpack over time
• Theory and observation of skier-triggered slides
• Forecasting, avalanche observation and recording guidelines per U.S. and International guidelines
• Small group travel and decision making

APPLYING SKILLS

Following classroom sessions, we will travel by backcountry ski or splitboard to apply learned skills in a mountain environment, with a focus on:

• Analysis of snow stability
• Route selection and terrain analysis
• Slope tests
• Reinforcement of level 1 probe and shovel techniques, as well as rescue techniques for single and multiple burials.