AIARE 2 Avalanche Safety Course: Camp Based

AIARE Level 2 Camping-Based Avalanche Course - Analyzing Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard

Take your avalanche education beyond the classroom and into the heart of the Colorado backcountry. The AIARE 2 Camping-Based Course near Breckenridge is designed for experienced backcountry travelers looking to refine their avalanche forecasting and decision-making skills through direct, hands-on experience. Over three days and two nights, you’ll learn to interpret snow, weather, and terrain data while managing risk in a true winter environment—sleeping under the stars in tents or snow shelters built by your team.

AIARE 2 Learning Objectives

1. Identifying avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe
   
2. Differentiating where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape
   
3. Learning how to close gaps of uncertainty through identifying key observations within your group, the terrain, or the snowpack
   

1. Interpreting weather, snow, and avalanche observations to make terrain decisions
   
2. More advanced snow science and analysis
   

1. Leadership skills to use in a small team, including facilitating small group discussions, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies
   
2. Implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absence of local supporting avalanche information
   

Duration

1. One Month Prior - E-learning materials, Level 1 review, and Student Manual for AIARE Level 1 are sent to be completed
   
2. Day 1: travel to camp, settle in, and conduct afternoon classroom learning session
   
3. Day 2: Classroom & Field Session - morning classroom at camp and afternoon field session
   
4. Day 3: Camp breakdown, student-led tour, course close
   

Location

Ages & Requirments

What's Included

• AIARE Certified Course Leader and Instructor(s) (6:1 maximum guide to student ratio)
  
• AIARE Course Manual and weather-proof Field Book
  
• AIARE Certificate of Completion
  
• Use of Ortovox Avalanche Safety Gear if needed (beacon, shovel, probe, pack)
  
• Transportation from designated meeting place to the trailhead
  
• Dinners and breakfast
  
• Hut fees
  

Not Included

• Clothing and gear
  
• Backcountry skis, splitboards or snowshoes (Rentals available)
  
• Transportation to designated meeting place
  
• Insurance (trip or rescue)
  
• Instructor gratuity
  
• Lunches and snacks
  

What to Bring / Wear

Required Equipment

1. Avalanche Beacon
   
2. Avalanche Probe
   
3. Avalanche Shovel
   
4. Overnight backpack (approx. 60L-70L)
   
5. Alpine Touring Skis, Telemark Skis, or Splitboard
   
6. Climbing Skins (must be properly fitted)
   
7. Goggles
   
8. Helmet
   
9. Snow Study Kit – 2 thermometers, folding ruler, magnifying loupe, knotted cord, crystal card
   
10. Sleeping bag (0 degree recommended)
    
11. Sleeping pad (can be provided upon request)
    
12. Headlamp
    

• 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