AIARE PRIVATE COURSES
Enjoy a more personalized avalanche education experience with our AIARE Private Courses. One on one attention is a surefire way to feel comfortable and confident skiing in backcountry terrain. The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) provides world-class education through the only internationally recognized curriculum offered in the U.S.
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.
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.)
Participants 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 in potentially inclement weather. Registration is required. Some personal items are provided by the participant; see the “to bring” tab.
- For the Level 1 Course, see our gear and equipment list on the bottom of our AIARE Level 1 page.
- Or, for the Level 2 Course, see the bottom of our AIARE Level 2 page for a gear and equipment list.
Advanced reservations are required. Register below on the accompanying calendar or call (970) 949-9111.
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!
PRIVATE BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE COURSE
AIARE Level 1 – Quick Info
Learn the decision-making skills necessary to evaluate and travel in avalanche terrain in a Backcountry Avalanche Course. Interested in our 1-day avalanche rescue course?
2020-21 DATES
-
- Courses Available Upon Request
Includes:
- Student Manual
- AIARE Field Book
- Apex Mountain School Buff
- SANS meal Bar
- 1 Classroom Day
- 2 Full Field Days
- AIARE Certificate of Completion
DIFFICULTY
Easy – Moderate
DURATION
Three 8 hour days
LOCATION
Classroom Location – Eagle-Vail, CO
Field Location – Vail Valley, Vail Pass or Fremont Pass
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.
*Courses run regardless of snow/weather conditions*
See our inclusion policy for special group requests.
AIARE LEVEL 1 CURRICULUM
In our 3 day, 24 hour AIARE level 1 private course, our curriculum focuses on the following:
-
- 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 or snowshoe, and apply these new foundations in a mountain snow environment. We will 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
Level 1 Courses
Level 2 Courses
