AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course

Lesson

Duration: 1 day

Breckenridge • Dillon • Frisco • Keystone • Silverthorne

Features

Locally Owned

Small Group Sizes

Instant Book

$219 Adult

(Price/Person - Select # in Your Group)

Description

AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course - Companion & Small Team Rescue

This one-day course focuses on the essential skills needed to respond effectively in the event of an avalanche. Designed for both new and experienced backcountry travelers, AIARE Avalanche Rescue teaches participants how to manage a companion rescue and improve their efficiency through realistic, hands-on scenarios. Returning students refine their technique with advanced topics like multiple burial situations, strategic probing, and evacuation planning.

Throughout the day, you’ll receive professional coaching from certified instructors and practice using beacons, probes, and shovels in varied terrain. This course is also a prerequisite for the AIARE 2 and Pro 1 programs and is recommended for all backcountry users to retake every few years to keep their skills sharp. As an Ortovox Safety Academy partner, we provide complimentary use of Ortovox avalanche safety gear during the course.

You’ll leave the course more confident in your ability to respond quickly and effectively in an emergency—an essential skillset for anyone traveling in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche Rescue Learning Objectives

Identifying and using the gear necessary to avalanche rescue
Efficient use of beacon, shovel, and probe
Pre-trip gear checks
What to do if you or a member of your party are caught in an avalanche
Participate in realistic scenarios to practice your avalanche rescue response
Advanced topics - Multiple burials, advanced beacon functions, and evacuation considerations
Developing a plan for continuing practice

Duration

Full Day - 8+ Hours

Location / Where to Meet

Colorado Adventure Guides: Silverthorne Basecamp

204 Ryan Gulch Rd, Silverthorne, CO 80498

This course will be held in or around the Summit County Area. Exact locations will be chosen based on the group, weather, and snowpack conditions. Your guide will be in touch two weeks before the start of the trip to discuss course details, but you can use our Silverthorne Bascamp for a general location.

Ages & Requirements

Minimum Age: 16 years old
Experience Level: Suitable for both new and experienced backcountry travelers
Fitness: Participants should be in good physical condition and comfortable spending a full day outdoors in winter conditions
Gear: Participants must have appropriate backcountry equipment (touring skis, splitboard, or snowshoes) and winter clothing. Avalanche safety gear (beacon, probe, shovel, pack) is available for rent if needed.

What's Included

AIARE Certified Course Leader and Instructor(s) (6:1 maximum guide to student ratio)
AIARE Certificate of Completion
CAG professional ski or splitboard guide
Transportation from designated meeting place to the trailhead

Not Included

Avalanche Safety Gear - beacon, shovel, probe, pack (rent at CAG if needed)
Clothing, gear, goggles, helmet
Backcountry skis, splitboards with skins, or snowshoes (rent at CAG if needed)
Lunch, snacks, water
Transportation to designated meeting place
Insurance (trip or rescue)
Instructor gratuity
Winter Park Resort lift ticket, if needed

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

Recommended Clothing

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

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.

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 48 HOURS PRIOR to guided adventures and 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.

Availability

December 2025

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Reviews

Location

Address

204 Ryan Gulch Rd.

Silverthorne, CO, 80498

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