AIARE 1 Avalanche Course
from
$599
Vacation Style
5/5
Seasonal
Course, Guided Tours
Activity Level
5/5
Challenging
5/5
Group Size
5/5
Per Guide
06
AIARE 1 Avalanche Course
Course Description
This one-day (16 hours) course is intended to be retaken on a regular basis in order to keep abreast of best practices in rescue techniques and gear. New participants will learn companion rescue, and returning students will expand their skills with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice.
Why Take Avalanche Rescue with Us?
We take pride in having some of the best instructors in the business. We will go above and beyond the standard curriculum and offer a lifetime of advice.
Who Should Take this Course
This course is appropriate for both new and experienced recreational backcountry travelers, as well as aspiring avalanche professionals. AIARE recommends that all backcountry travelers keep their skills current by taking an Avalanche Rescue course and receiving a rescue card at least every other year.
You should be able to travel off-trail on ungroomed or unmaintained terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow, but there are no other prerequisites for this course. AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a prerequisite for the AIARE 2 and Pro 1 courses.
What You’ll Learn
During an Avalanche Rescue course, you’ll spend time in the field learning skills like:
- Knowing what to do if you or a member of your party is caught in an avalanche
- Identifying and using the gear necessary for avalanche rescue
- Participating in realistic scenarios to practice an avalanche rescue response
- Improving your response skills and times during and after the course with feedback from instructors and peers
- Developing a plan for continuing practice
Location
Rocky Mountain National Park
Duration
16 Hours
Included
- AMGA Trained/Certified Guide
- Group Climbing Equipment
- Technical Hardware
- Technical Soft goods
- Personal Climbing Equipment
- Climbing Shoes
- Helmet
- Harness
Not Included
- Food
- Transport
- Lodging
- Trip/Cancelation Insurance
- Non-technical Personal Items
- Rescue Insurance
- Park Entrance Fees (if applicable)
- Guide Gratuity
- Unforseen Cost Incurred Outside of the Control of SAI
Equipment List
Snow/ski gear:
- Alpine Touring (AT) skis, Tele-skis, Splitboard. Make all binding adjustments for fit prior to day 1. Climbing Skins for skis and splitboards. Ensure that the skins are fitted to your skis or splitboard prior to day 1.
- Snowshoes, if not skiing. Make sure bindings fit your boot prior to day 1.
- Ski Poles (collapsible), required for all backcountry travelers on this course.
Safety gear:
- Avalanche Transceiver. Digital beacon transmitting on 457 kHz.
- Probe. Collapsible probe made of aluminum or carbon fiber.
- Shovel. Aluminum shovel (not plastic) designed for backcountry use.
- Avalung and/or Airbag (optional).
- Ski Helmet, for ski descents (optional, but recommended, be sure you can fit in, or carry on backpack).
- Notebook and Pencil for making field notes and observations. I also carry map, altimeter, compass and slope meter.
- Spare door and ignition key, for groups carpooling. It’s a real bummer to lose a key on a tour.
Footwear:
- Ski Boots, Snowboard Boots or Tele Boots.
- Gaiters (optional but nice to have when we step out of skis or snowshoes).
- Wool or synthetic socks. No cotton.
- Liner sock. This is a personal preference, not required.
- Winter Hiking Boot. Something you can wear in the classroom or in the parking lot for rescue drills.
Clothing (all to be wool or synthetic, no cotton):
- Base Layer, long underwear, top and bottoms.
- Insulation Layer, Softshell Pants and Jacket. Fleece is ok if you have hardshell outerlayer.
- Hardshell Pants (full side zip) and Jacket with hood. This is a wind and waterproof layer (Gore-tex) or similar.
- Insulated “puffy” Jacket w/ hood. Down or Synthetic. This layer is meant to be worn on outside of all other layers combined.
Headwear:
- Synthetic or wool hat (beanie).
- Buff or neck gaiter.
- Sunglasses with dark lens and wraparound sun and wind protection.
- Goggles.
Handwear:
- Softshell glove, water and wind resistant.
- Warm glove – leather/gore tex is best
- Mittens, good to have in your pack for colder temps.
- Two pairs or warm gloves/mittens minimum.
Other gear:
- ~35L Backpack, make sure your gear fits in pack prior to course day.
- First-aid kit (small), blister bandages, band-aid and personal medications.
- 1L waterbottle (2L max), leakproof bottle like Nalgene works best. I bring a 24oz Thermos with warm drinks for the cold days.
- Sunscreen and lipscreen, 30SPF minimum.
- Ski strap(s), small knife/multitool, headlamp w/new batteries, lighter, a few zip ties, & a short sections of bailing wire for field repairs.
- Camera, camera phone.
- Snacks/Lunch – About 1000 calories for the day. Sandwich, candy bars, and trail mix, etc; Bring what tastes good to you.
Location
Gallery
Reviews
John McGee
2024-05-27
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Easy to schedule and great communication. Max was my guide and he was excellent! He knew every inch of the crag and selected routes that were perfect.
Hung Lieu
2024-01-31
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Another awesome ice climbing trip in the books. Thanks, Dan and SAI Guides!
Michael Schmitz
2023-12-18
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Completed the AiARE 1 course with Max Lure in Rocky Mountain National Park. A phenomenal experience. Would recommend to anyone who is interested in getting into the back country.
Jenni Hanley
2023-08-02
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I loved my guided climb with Newt! He chose a great spot that was shaded and not too crowded. Loved the routes he chose for us, which got gradually more challenging. He had a really nice mix of providing some beta while also encouraging us to figure it out for ourselves. Would definitely book an excursion with him again!
Connor Myers
2023-07-22
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Have not used their service, but one of their guides, Newt, got me out of a jam a few weeks ago. I took off from the Eldo park and ride without my bag, and when he saw the abandoned bag in the parking lot, he read the situation perfectly, took it with him, made a post online, and got the bag back to me day of. Newt's an honest dude with good situational awareness, great qualities for a guide (and person) to have.
Jason Bryce
2023-05-15
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Eric Whewell is professional and helpful, guided and taught my group well!
Ben
2023-05-13
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The SPI course offered by SAI is phenomenal. It exceeded my expectations and taught me numerous invaluable skills I will undoubtedly make repeated use of in the future in both recreational and professional climbing settings. Thank you to Eric Whewell for running such a great program!
Christopher Hunnewell
2023-03-14
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Max led my AIARE 2 course and went way above and beyond what I have experienced in previous courses. Beyond just going through he curriculum Max took personal ownership of the learning of the group and made sure to give us opportunities to implement what we had gone over. Cannot recommend a trip with Max enough!
Sig Newt
2023-02-20
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent group of very professional guides. Would highly reccommend.
Elliott Wright
2023-01-17
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Phenomenal AIARE1 course! Max Lurie’s expertise is second to none and his comedic edge makes a serious, information packed topic fun for everyone. Thanks SAI and Dan Hunter for putting it on.
