AIARE AVALANCHE COURSES
in Crested Butte, Colorado
Winter 2024-25 AIARE Avalanche Courses
For Winter 2024-25, we will offer 3-day AIARE 1 courses, including two hut-based courses, and 1-day Rescue courses near Crested Butte. We can schedule private AIARE 1, 2, or Rescue courses for groups of 4 or more backcountry partners using either a 3-day or Hybrid 2-day formats.
3-day Format:
- 3 full days based in Crested Butte. We’ll meet at a classroom for morning / afternoon sessions, and spend the majority of each day in the field.
- Quick transitions to the backcountry near Crested Butte mean you get 5 to 7 hours of field-based learning each day.
3-day Hut-based Format:
- 3 full days in Gothic, Colorado at the Crystal Hut. The course includes 3 days of field instruction, hut fees, dinner, breakfasts, and AIARE course fees.
- Ideal if you want an immersive 3-day backcountry hut experience.
Hybrid 2-day Format (available for private courses):
- 4-6 hours of self-paced online learning.
- 3-4 hours of virtual classroom meetings with your instructor and other students.
- 2 full days of field-based practice and coaching.
- Ideal if you need to squeeze the course into the shortest amount of field time.
Have fun, Be safe
Come to Crested Butte to learn with Colorado Backcountry for the best AIARE avalanche education in Colorado. Our highly experienced and professional team includes AMGA certified guides, avalanche forecasters, ski patrol snow safety staff, as well AIARE Instructor Trainers, and AIARE Pro Trainers. All our staff meet or exceed AIARE and American Avalanche Association instructor qualifications.
Fundamentally, we want to save lives. Avalanches can be deadly, but avalanche accidents are preventable. You’ll learn the AIARE Framework:
- PREPARE yourself as a backcountry traveller who can track seasonal conditions, investigate trip options, and practice avalanche rescue skills.
- PLAN each day’s backcountry trip, including identifying where you do and don’t want to travel.
- RIDE SAFELY in the backcountry by practicing an intuitive and repeatable process to manage your risk.
- DEBRIEF each day to become a life-long learner.
Course Offerings
AIARE Avalanche Rescue
AIARE Avalanche Rescue is the first module in the Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain course progression. The course is designed to be retaken every few years to keep your rescue skills honed. The format is a one-day, field-based, skills-training program. New winter travelers will learn the basics of companion rescue. Returning participants tune-up their skills with personalized coaching and feedback based on current best-practices in avalanche rescue.
AIARE 1
AIARE 1 is the next module in the Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain course progression. You will learn to make decisions and manage risk as a member of a backcountry group traveling in or near avalanche terrain. For 2023-24, our AIARE 1 courses will return to 3 days of field instruction in Crested Butte. This program is great for people new to the backcountry, or those looking to tune-up their avalanche risk management skills.
AIARE 2
AIARE 2 is the final module in the AIARE Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain program. This course is designed for backcountry travelers who have completed both the AIARE Avalanche Rescue and AIARE 1 courses. If you travel in the winter backcountry routinely and want to advance your decision-making skills in complicated backcountry scenarios, this course is for you. Our AIARE 2 courses will include 3 full days of field instruction in Crested Butte, along with some self-paced study.
The field work was amazing! These sessions were just packed with valuable information and experiences. Dave was a great motivator.
Register for Winter 2024-25 Courses
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