AIARE 1 - Level 1 Avalanche Training

The AIARE 1 is an introduction to avalanche hazard management and takes place over two field days. Students can expect to develop a good grounding in the following:

• How to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip
• Understanding basic decision making while in the field
• Learning fundamental avalanche companion rescue techniques

Additionally, students can expect to begin a life-long relationship with the art of risk management in avalanche terrain.

How we season our AIARE 1

Being that our permit areas are so close to Portland and Hood River, our AIARE 1 course is designed to accommodate a 2-day time commitment while being a bit more adventurous than your average. We eschew the common ski area-adjacent terrain in favor of more peaceful, less crowded locations within the Mount Hood National Forest. On this program, your avalanche education is given the priority focus. We offer weekend courses as well mid-week courses.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to taking the AIARE 1. If you're skiing/splitboarding, we ask that you are able to ski/ride confidently at a blue run level at the resort and have basic familiarity with your gear. All courses are ski/splitboard only unless otherwise indicated below!

We believe that the best experience for people new to backcountry touring is to take our 1-day Intro to Backcountry course before taking the AIARE 1. This will help prepare you to make the most of your education and have more fun on your AIARE 1!

Pre-Course Material

You will be given access to the AIARE online material in advance of your course and you must complete the education prior to your first field day. You will also be supplied with an AIARE Field Book, included in the cost of your course.

Additionally, this course will have short video call a few days ahead of time that will allow participants to get to know each other and their instructor, as well as to get some early practice in realistic trip planning and applying the AIARE Framework. We will limit this call to no more than one hour in length.

Leave No Trace Considerations

An important aspect to backcountry travel is practicing Leave No Trace. Following the 7 Principles will help preserve the natural environment for yourself and others. Be prepared to practice touring-specific LNT in the following ways and more:

• Radio usage, for safety and noise reduction
• Managing your food; reducing the chance of littering through snack packing, preventing birds from scooping your calories
• Eco-friendly waxes
• What to do with “skin savers”
• Assessing snowpack depth/coverage from home

You will learn more about these and other touring-specific LNT practices on your course, generally as add-on moments as we move through the backcountry.

Your Avalanche Passport

After your course, you can document your experience in dealing with the nine avalanche problem types. We call this the Avalanche Passport, and we look forward to you getting all nine stamps and, along with them, recognition and a modest reward for your efforts.

It's well-known that becoming an experienced backcountry traveller doesn't happen overnight. We aim to deliver high-quality avalanche education, but one can only see so much on an avalanche course given limited time and conditions. Our hope is that the Avalanche Passport will help you maintain awareness of your own blind spots as you plan out ski tours and mountain trips. Totally optional but the resource is there for you.

Equipment & Logistics

Please see our Ski Touring Packing List page for a complete list of what you should bring on your course.

A sno-park pass is required to park at any sno-park located on the Mt. Hood National Forest. We will provide you with a sno-park pass for free, for the duration of the course, if you do not have one.

Gear rental discount

We’ve partnered with Mountain Shop to help you gear up for success in your course! As a valued student, you’ll receive 30% off gear rentals and 10% off purchases with Mountain Shop. See your enrollment email for further details.

Mountain Shop offers a wide range of gear rentals, including skis, splitboards, snowboards, and more, so you’ll be ready to hit the backcountry with confidence.

Discount exclusions apply, see website for details.

Scholarships

Please see our Scholarships page for more information!