- Photo by: Guide Colin Wann
Overview
With the most stunning terrain in North America, Rocky Mountain National Park offers a lifetime of opportunities to ski and snowboard. Learning to negotiate the backcountry takes years of practice. An AIARE 1 Avalanche Course with The Mountain Guides Colorado can jump start your learning. We designed our avalanche courses to give you the tools to make real decisions in avalanche terrain.
Course Description
Our AIARE 1 is a 1 evening online/2 field days introduction to avalanche hazard management.
We are partnering with Alpine to the Max to also offer traditional 3 day course with an in person classroom day 1. Select dates only.
Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).
Who Should Take this Course
The AIARE 1 is for anyone, regardless of method of travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. Participants may have attended some awareness classes or workshops or completed the Avalanche Rescue course, but none are a prerequisite for this course.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the AIARE 1 course, the student should be able to:
- Develop a plan for travel in avalanche terrain.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche terrain.
- Effectively use The AIARE Risk Management Framework to make terrain choices in a group setting.
- Demonstrate effective companion rescue.
Prerequisites
Students must be able to travel in avalanche terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow to class. There are no other prerequisites. If you have limited time using your ski touring equipment, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND you take one of our Intro to Backcountry Ski and Splitboard Touring classes. This 1 day class will teach you the basics of how to use your AT gear, move efficiently, and create a fundamental baseline of knowledge in order for you to maximize your time in the AIARE 1 Course. An AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course is also highly recommended, either soon before or after an AIARE 1 Course.
Season Winter
Minimum Age 18
Trip Planner
Itinerary
All AIARE 1 courses at our Rocky Mountain location utilize a hybrid learning model. The course starts as soon as you enroll with an online learning module. Then you’ll meet with your instructor via an evening video chat session two days before the course starts. If the field days start Saturday, you would meet with your instructor Thursday evening to review the online learning, discuss the current avalanche hazard forecast and plan the tours for the field days.
AIARE 1 Schedule (subject to change)
Day 1 Online Evening
- 5:30 – 6:30 Introduction
- 6:30 – 7:30 Reading the Avalanche Bulletin
- 7:30 – 8:30 Tour Planning
Day 2 – Meet at Field Venue (TBD)
- 8:00 – 8:30 Departure Check, Beacon Range and Function
- 8:30 – 11:30 Avalanche Rescue, Beacon and Probe Use, Strategic Shoveling
- 11:30 – 2:30 Monitor Conditions, Weather and Snow Observations, Snowpit Tests
- 2:30 – 3:30 Return from Field
- 3:30 – 4:00 Debrief
Day 3 – Meet at Field Venue (TBD)
- 8:00 – 8:30 Review
- 8:30 – 3:30 Ride Safely Participant Led Tour
- 3:30 – 4:00 Debrief + Course Close
Alpine to the Max 3 Day Option
Day 1
- 8:00 AM: Meet at the classroom for introductions, course overview, and AIARE Risk Management Framework
- 9:00 AM: Formation of the snowpack including avalanche problem types, and metamorphism.
- 10:00 AM: Avalanche terrain covering the basics of avalanche hazard management, aspect, elevation, vegetation, and slope angle.
- 11:00 AM: Track the season’s snowpack and climatic controls on different snowpacks.
- noon: Lunch break.
- 1:00 PM: Tour planning and using digital resources like Caltopo.
- 2:00 PM: Human factors including common pitfalls for human dynamics and systematic approaches for decision-making.
- 3:00 PM: Introduction to the forecast and digital resources for information gathering.
- 3:30 PM: emergency and rescue prep including a guides pack demo.
Day 2:
- 8:00 AM: Meet at the designated meeting point for the morning meeting and tour plan for the day.
- 9:00 AM: Companion rescue practice including instructor demo and student practice scenarios.
- 11:00 AM: Instructor-led tour with field lessons including practical application of decision-making skills, including route finding, safe travel techniques, snow pit demo, and group communication practice.
- 2-3:00 PM: Debrief the day.
Day 3:
- 8:00 AM: Meet at the designated meeting point for the morning meeting and tour plan for the day.
- 9:00 AM: Student-led tour to practice all the techniques learned thus far in the course with instructor feedback and guidance.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch break.Afternoon:
- 2-3:00 PM: Debrief the day.
- 3-3:30 PM: Debrief the course and do a course closing discussion about further resources and next steps.
Please note that this itinerary is a sample and may vary based on factors such as weather conditions, group dynamics, and specific course objectives set by the instructors. Adjustments may be made to accommodate the needs and progress of the participants throughout the course
Pricing
$595 per person (2 Day Hybrid Option)
The Mountain Guides does not provide transportation for its clients into the park. Clients will be responsible for paying the $35 vehicle fee at the park entrance unless they have a Golden Eagle Pass or equivalent.
$618 per person (Alpine to the Max 3 Day Option)
Schedule
CLICK HERE to see current availability and sign up for a course!
Equipment
UPPER LAYERS
- Top Long Sleeve: Mid weight backcountry oriented top Guide Pick: Black Diamond Coefficient LT Hybrid Hoody
- Mid weight insulated Jacket Guide Pick: Black Diamond Solution Jacket
- Shell Jacket with hood. Guide Pick: Black Diamond Recon LT Stretch Shell
- Puffy Jacket: Hood Recommended. Guide Pick: Black Diamond Access Down Hoody
BOTTOM LAYERS
- Bottom Synthetic or Wool Long Underwear Bottoms Guide Pick: Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Base Layer
- Shell Pant: full side zips and built-in gaiters Guide Pick: Black Diamond Recon Stretch LT Pant
- Socks: Synthetic or wool. Sized for your boots and blister protection. Liners recommended.
HEAD AND HANDS
- Gloves 3 pair: 1 light, 1 medium, 1 heavy pair Guide Pick: Black Diamond Legend Glove
- Hat: medium weight ski hat
- Hat: baseball or visor for sun
- Buff/neck gaiter
ACCESSORIES
- Back Pack: 30 to 40 Liter ski pack, Guide Pick: Black Diamond Jet Force Pro 35 Airbag Pack
- Water & Food: Thermos or insulated water bottles are best. Lot’s of snacks.
- Sunglasses/ Sunglass Case
- Ski Goggles
- Extra Prescription Glasses/Contact Lens
- Sunscreen/Lip balm
- Headlamp Guides Pick: Black Diamond Cosmo 350 R Rechargeable
SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY (Packages available for rent)
- Boots: Alpine Touring, Telemark, or Snowboarding Boots
- Skis: Guide Pick: Black Diamond Helio Carbon 95
- Splitboard: Guides Pick: Black Diamond X Cardiff Co-Lab
- Climbing Skins: Guides Pick: Black Diamond Ascension Nylon Climbing Skins ( must trip to fit skis)
- Ski Poles: Guides Pick: Traverse Compactor Ski Poles
- Helmet (optional)
SNOW SAFETY EQUIPMENT (REQUIRED and available for rent from TMG)
Talk To Us
Here you’ll find online tools and information about joining us for a trip of a lifetime! To sign up for a trip, or if you have any questions, please call us. Listed on the left side of these pages are links that you may find useful, including printable forms and policies concerning a trip with TMG. We encourage ALL prospective climbers to read our Preparation advice. Our office can help place you with others who are looking to climb.
