- Photo by: Colin Wann
- Photo by: Colin Wann
Overview
With the most stunning terrain in North America, the Wasatch offers a lifetime of lines to ski and snowboard. Join The Mountain Guides for your AIARE 1 Avalanche Course. This comprehensive course focuses on hazard evaluation, decision-making and companion rescue in avalanche terrain. Learn from our AMGA-trained and certified ski and splitboard guides. Discover techniques for evaluating hazard and managing risk when traveling through avalanche terrain. Mammut Avalanche Safety gear is available to demo during the course.
These courses are for downhill skiers and boarders. All participants must travel on touring skis or splitboard during the course and be comfortable riding black diamond terrain at the resort or ungroomed backcountry snow on slopes up to 30 degrees (blue square). If you are new to touring or looking to polish your skills before your AIARE 1, check out our Backcountry Essentials course.
All AIARE 1 courses at our Wasatch location utilize a hybrid learning model. You’ll receive access to an online learning module one week prior to course launch. Then you’ll meet with your instructor via an evening video chat session two days before the course starts. If the field days start Wednesday, you would meet with your instructor Monday evening to review the online learning, discuss the current avalanche hazard forecast and plan the tours for the field days.
Anyone who travels in the backcountry needs to continue their education every year. An AIARE 1 or avalanche rescue course is a great place to start or review if you’re feeling rusty. An AIARE 2 course is best for skiers and snowboarders comfortable with their skills and looking for the next step. Along with our AIARE Courses, we offer a number of clinics and opportunities that get you into the mountains!
Season Winter
Minimum Age 18
Trip Planner
Itinerary
Our AIARE 1 Avalanche courses take advantage of the amazing terrain in the Wasatch to help jump start your touring career. We use a hybrid course model to maximize your time in the mountains. The course starts with an online learning module that you gain access to as soon as you sign up. Two days before your course starts, you’ll meet with your instructor for an evening of virtual learning using video chat. The course will officially begin in the field where you’ll spend two full day tours traveling through the mountains practicing techniques for managing avalanche hazard.
CLICK HERE for a sample schedule.
Pricing
AIARE Level I Avalanche Course: $495
Private trips available
Schedule
CLICK HERE for the 2021-2022 schedule
Equipment
UPPER LAYERS
- Top Long Sleeve Synthetic: medium to expedition weight long underwear Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Butterman 1/2 zip
- Soft Shell or Fleece Jacket Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear 32 Degree Jacket
- Shell Jacket with hood. Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Cloudseeker Jacket
- Puffy Jacket: Hood Recommended. Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Ghostwhisperer Jacket
BOTTOM LAYERS
- Bottom Synthetic or Wool Long Underwear Bottoms Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Butterman Tight
- Shell Pant: full side zips and built-in gaiters Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Highball 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: Mountain Hardwear Cyclone GTX 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: Mammut Pro Short Removable Airbag System Backpack
- 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-Extra batteries
- Laptop Computer — for Avalanche Courses only
SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY (Packages available for rent at JHMG)
- Boots: Alpine Touring, Telemark, or Snowboarding Boots
- Skis or Splitboard with compatible binding for boots
- Climbing Skins (fit to skis)
- Ski Poles
- Helmet (optional)
SNOW SAFETY EQUIPMENT (REQUIRED and available for rent at JHMG)
- Transceiver Guide Pick:Mammut Barryvox S
- Shovel Guide Pick: Mammut Alugator Twist shove
- Probe Guide Pick: Mammut Fastlock Probe 240
Travel
Participants are responsible for their own lodging during the course.
Trip Sponsors
As the signature sponsor of our Avalanche Safety Courses, all students enrolled will be able to test and demo Mammut avalanche safety equipment during the course at no charge. In exchange, participants provide five photos of the gear in use it as well as a review of the gear OR a post on social media tagging @jhmtnguides and @mammutna.
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 JHMG. We encourage ALL prospective climbers to read our Preparation advice. Our office can help place you with others who are looking to climb.
