TOPICS INCLUDE:

• Route/Trip Planning
• Communication
• Navigation
• Terrain Management
• 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 their combined 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 assess and manage risk.

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

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 pre-screening approval.) 

Completion of prerequisite e-learning modules is required by AIARE prior to the start of all courses and participants should be prepared for the AIARE Level 1 modules to take about 4 hours.

Participants should also be prepared to travel in backcountry terrain by ski or split board (snowshoes are acceptable if no other option). All AIARE Level 1 and Rescue Combined courses take place in mountainous terrain, at altitude. Apex encourages students to come prepared for all mountain weather conditions.

Are you new to the backcountry or looking to hone your ski or split board skills prior to an AIARE course? Beginner Backcountry Ski and Split boarding outings with Apex are an excellent way to prepare! During a Vail Backcountry Skiing private outing, your Apex Mountain School guide will work with you on both up and downhill travel techniques and transitions as well as navigating in a backcountry environment.

Have you put off taking your Apex AIARE Level 1 course because you could not get a Friday off from work, don’t want to use your paid time of or another reason? This Apex Zoom course offers an alternative.  

AIARE Level 1 and Rescue Combo course registration is required.  Private AIARE Level 1 courses with Apex are also available.

AIARE LEVEL 1 AND RESCUE COMBINED 

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)
• 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

ALSO RECOMMENDED

• Loupe (at least 10x zoom)
• Snow Saw (minimum 30cm)
• Snow crystal card

YOU MAY ALSO CONSIDER

AIARE Level 1 Backcountry Curriculum

FUNDAMENTALS

Throughout a 27 hour Apex AIARE Level 1 Backcountry course, consisting of 1 classroom day and 2 field days, the course will focus on the following natural 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

Rescue Curriculum 

• 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