AIARE 2 Avalanche Course: Rocky Mountain National Park
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 2 Avalanche Course with The Mountain Guides Colorado can jump start your learning. We designed our avalanche courses to give you tools to make real decisions in avalanche terrain. Who Should Take this Course The AIARE 2 is a Hybrid 1 evening online/2 field day course for those who have taken an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue and have had at least a year of backcountry travel experience. The AIARE 2 provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills. Student Learning Outcomes Differentiate where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape and identify avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe. Use and interpret weather, snow, and avalanche observations to locate appropriate terrain prior to entering and while in the field. Demonstrate leadership skills within a small team that include facilitating small group discussion, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies. Implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absences of local supporting avalanche information. Prerequisites Participants must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain. An AIARE 1 Course (strongly recommended) or equivalent Level 1 training is required. A winter of practical experience after the Level 1 course is highly recommended before taking the AIARE 2 course. AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course.
All AIARE 2 courses at our Colorado branch 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.
All participants must complete an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue prior to taking this course.
Day -1 – Virtual Classroom – Zoom-enabled Device Required
5:30 – 6:30 Introduction
6:30 – 7:30 Avalanche Problems
7:30 – 8:30 Season History
Day 2 – Meet at Field Venue
8:30 – 3:30 Targeted Observations, Avalanche Problems, Extended Column, Propagation Saw Test
3:30 – 4:30 Learning Debrief
Day 3 – Meet at Field Venue
8:30 – 3:30 Ride Safely (Tour)
3:30 – 4:00 Debrief
4:00 – 4:30 Course Close
AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Course:Â $695/person
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 .
CLICK HEREÂ to see available courses
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:Â Guide Pick: Black Diamond Helio Carbon 95
- Splitboard:Â Â Guides Pick:Â Black Diamond X Cardiff Co-LabÂ
- Climbing Skins:  Guides Pick: Black Diamond Ascension Nylon Climbing Skins ( must trip to fit skis)
- Ski Poles:Â Â Guides Pick:Â Traverse Compactor Ski Poles
- Helmet (optional)
SNOW SAFETY EQUIPMENT (REQUIRED and available for rent from TMG)
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 .