AIARE 1 Avalanche Safety Course - Summit County
LessonDuration: 3 days
Breckenridge • Dillon • Frisco • Keystone • Silverthorne
Features
Description
Summit County AIARE Level 1 - Three-Day Introduction to Avalanche Hazard Management
AIARE 1 Learning Objectives
- Efficient use of beacon/shovel/probe
- Pre-trip equipment check
- Survival gear checklist
- Weather
- Understanding a mountain snowpack
- Reading and understanding the avalanche forecast
- Classifications of avalanches
- Characteristics of different types of avalanches
- Basics of route selection and terrain management
- Trip planning and preparation
- Rescue and emergency preparation
- Group management
- Recognizing hazardous conditions
- Managing risk and decision making
- Human factors and influence
- Companion rescue techniques
Duration
Location / Where to Meet
Ages and Requirements
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Fitness level: Participants should be able to travel off-trail in snow for several hours and manage moderate physical exertion. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
- Experience: No prior avalanche education is required. However, experience using alpine touring skis, splitboards, or snowshoes, as well as comfort skiing or riding on intermediate to advanced terrain at a ski resort, is recommended.
- Gear: Avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, probe, pack) is required and can be rented if needed. Appropriate winter clothing, technical layers, and gear for backcountry travel are required.
What's Included
- AIARE Certified Course Leader and Instructor(s) (6:1 maximum guide-to-student ratio)
- AIARE Course Manual
- AIARE Field Book
- AIARE Certificate of Completion
- CAG professional ski or splitboard guide
- Use of Ortovox Avalanche Safety Gear if needed (beacon, shovel, probe, pack)
- Friends of CAIC Trailhead Membership ($35 value)
- Transportation from designated meeting place to the trailhead
Not Included
- Lodging
- Clothing and gear
- Backcountry skis, splitboards or snowshoes (rentals available)
- Food (included in hut-based courses)
- Transportation to designated meeting place
- Insurance (trip or rescue)
- Instructor gratuity
What to Bring / Wear
Required Equipment
- Avalanche Beacon
- Avalanche Probe
- Avalanche Shovel
- Medium (40L) sized backpack
- Alpine Touring Skis, Telemark Skis, or Splitboard
- Climbing Skins
- Goggles
- Helmet
- Hard or softshell pants
- Synthetic or merino wool base layer
- Softshell jacket (optional)
- Down or synthetic insulated jacket
- Hardshell or water/wind resistant jacket
- Light gloves for uphill travel
- Warm gloves
- Brimmed hat or visor
- Sunglasses
- Neck gaiter or buff
ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Colorado Adventure Guides
FAQs
AIARE 1 Course Itinerary
One Month Prior - E-Learning materials and Student Manual are sent approximately one month prior to course start. Students submit questions relating to E-Learning or Student Manual to prepare for the online Zoom or Classroom portion of the course.
Day One – Classroom Presentations and Trip Planning Lesson (Virtual and in-person classrooms)
- 8:00am – 12:00pm: Classroom presentations and hands-on activities
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch
- 1:00 pm – 4:00: Presentations, activities and Instructor-led trip planning lesson
Day Two - On Snow
- 7:30am – 3:30pm: Field Session. Companion Rescue and Making Relevant Observations
Day Three - On Snow
- 7:30am – 4:00pm : Student-led tour and course close
Where are the Summit County Colorado AIARE 1 courses held?
Colorado Adventure Guides’s basecamp is located in Silverthorne, Colorado and has the honor of hosting avalanche education courses in the Dillion and six surrounding ranger districts including Summit County and surrounding areas including Eagle County, Clear Creek County, and Grand County. We always plan to use a variety of zones to ensure our clients experience the best snow conditions available for the planned course days. We also offer hut-based and ski resort-based courses.
Summit County is the heart of our operation with access to thousands of acres of ridgelines, slopes, and valleys. Summit County's high altitude makes for great snow conditions all season long and provides a wide variety of backcountry accessibility for all levels of backcountry skiers. With over 3,500 permitted acres in the Dillon and surrounding Ranger Districts, we always have the terrain and conditions needed to meet the learning objectives of the courses we offer.
How physically fit do I need to be to take this course?
Colorado Adventure Guides’ priority is keeping our patrons and students safe. Our instructors are trained to recognize potentially hazardous situations in the backcountry; they plan and operate accordingly. Prior to the start of any course or backcountry trip you will complete a brief health history. The failure to disclose pertinent information on the health history form could result in serious harm, even death, to the signing participant, other guests and/or the guide. All information submitted is completely confidential; it is for the guide’s use and would only be shared in the event of an emergency with medical and/or rescue personnel directly caring for the guest. This can be a physically demanding course, and your ability to enjoy the adventure depends on your health and fitness, thus it’s recommended that you are in good physical condition.
Do I need to be a good skier/snowboarder to take this course?
This course can be taken on alpine touring skis or a splitboard. No prior backcountry experience is required but it is highly recommended that participants with touring gear have experience on their setup prior to taking this course and be comfortable in steep blue to black terrain at a ski resort.
When should I take my AIARE 1?
The AIARE 1 course is developed for new to intermediate backcountry users, or for those looking to formalize their education. This course is for experienced resort skiers/riders that have knowledge of how to use their backcountry touring equipment. Not quite there yet? Check out our 1-day Intro to Ski/Splitboard Courses.
Can I skip the AIARE 1 course?
The AIARE 1 course is part 1 of the Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain program. The Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain program is a recreational program that consists of 3 courses spanning a total of 7 days. While there is no actual certification after taking all the courses, you will obtain course completions. With that said, the AIARE 1 course is a prerequisite to the AIARE 2 course, and so you must attend the AIARE 1 course to continue with the program.
Does the AIARE 1 certificate expire?
The AIARE 1 certificate does not have an expiration date, however, it is strongly encouraged that you practice and maintain the skills and knowledge covered in this course. Colorado Adventure Guides offers Avalanche Refresher and Rescue Courses to help keep your backcountry knowledge and skills fresh.
Should I tip my course instructor?
Your instructors work hard before, during, and after your course to provide you with the best safety education and a great experience, and while not expected, gratuities are always highly appreciated. If you had a safe, educational, and fun experience, gratuities typically range from 15-20%.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
Refunds for Courses - An administrative fee of 10% will be assessed for all cancellations. Refunds will be honored for cancellations more than 14 DAYS PRIOR to a course or a camp start time. If you need to cancel within the two week period, and we are able to fill your spot, we will refund your payment less a 10% fee. If we cannot fill your spot, you will be charged the full amount. Notice of cancellation more than 14 days in advance will receive a full refund less a 10% administrative fee.
Rescheduling Policy
An administrative fee of 10% will be assessed for all rescheduling. Rescheduling will be honored 14 DAYS PRIOR to any course or camp start date. If you need to reschedule within the two week period, and we are able to fill your spot, we will reschedule your booking with a 10% fee. If we cannot fill your spot, we will be unable to reschedule our booking.
No-shows will be charged the full price.
All activities are Rain or Shine. In case of operator cancellation due to adverse or unsafe conditions prior to start time, first the operator will attempt to reschedule. If rescheduling is not possible, the client will receive a full refund. Operator, including guides in the field, reserve the right to shorten or reroute activity in the case of unmanageable hazards or inability of guest to complete the objective. Completion of objective-based routes is not guaranteed.
Contact us by phone (970) 893-8007 or info@coloradoadventureguides.com to inquire about a cancellation or reschedule.
Availability
Reviews
Location
Address
204 Ryan Gulch Rd.
Silverthorne, CO, 80498
US
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