AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course Colorado
Overview
AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course in Colorado
Build Speed, Confidence, and Efficiency in Companion Rescue
When an avalanche occurs, minutes matter. Whether you’re new to the backcountry or a seasoned skier or splitboarder, staying sharp with rescue skills is critical. The AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course in Colorado with The Mountain Guides Colorado provides focused, hands-on training designed to build speed, efficiency, and confidence in real-world rescue scenarios.
This one-day course is the industry standard for avalanche companion rescue and is intentionally designed to be retaken regularly to keep skills current with evolving best practices, techniques, and rescue gear.
Course Overview
AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course
- Duration: 1 full field day
- Format: Stand-alone course
- Location: Colorado backcountry (including Rocky Mountain National Park)
- Discipline: Backcountry skiing, splitboarding, snowshoeing, mountaineering
New participants will learn the fundamentals of companion rescue, while returning students refine efficiency through advanced topics, realistic scenarios, and instructor-led coaching.
Each participant receives professional feedback, scenario-based practice, and an AIARE rescue card documenting course completion.
Who This Course Is For
The AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course is appropriate for anyone who travels in avalanche terrain, including:
- Backcountry skiers and splitboarders
- Snowshoers and winter hikers
- Ski mountaineers
- Aspiring avalanche professionals
- Riders preparing for AIARE Level 1, Level 2, or Pro courses
This course benefits both first-time students and experienced travelers looking to refresh and improve their rescue performance.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of the Avalanche Rescue course, students will be able to:
- Describe what to do if they or a member of their party is caught in an avalanche
- Identify and properly use avalanche rescue equipment (beacon, shovel, probe)
- Set up and run realistic companion rescue scenarios
- Improve response speed and effectiveness through repetition and feedback
- Develop a personal plan for continued rescue practice
Students leave with a clear understanding of how to respond under pressure and how to maintain rescue readiness over time.
Why Regular Rescue Training Matters
Avalanche rescue skills are perishable. Anyone recreating in avalanche terrain should refresh their training every other year to maintain efficiency, adapt to new equipment, and improve response times.
Regular practice can be the difference between a successful rescue and a tragic outcome.
Prerequisites & Pathway
- No prerequisites required to take this course
- Required prerequisite for:
- AIARE Level 2
- AIARE Pro 1
This course pairs exceptionally well with the AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course and is strongly recommended for all backcountry partners.
Why Take Avalanche Rescue with The Mountain Guides Colorado
- AIARE-certified, experienced instructors
- Small group sizes for personalized coaching
- Realistic, high-quality scenario training
- Emphasis on efficiency, communication, and decision-making
- Instruction grounded in Colorado’s complex snowpack
Stay Sharp. Stay Ready.
The AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course in Colorado gives you the skills, confidence, and repetition needed to respond effectively when it matters most.
Meet in Estes Park
- 8:30-8:40 Intro and Course Logistics
- 8:40-9:10 Intro to Avalanche Rescue
- 9:10-10:00 PPE, Avalanche Gear, Packing
- 10:00-11:00 Travel to Hidden Valley
- 11:00-11:20 Departure Check
- 11:20-12:20 Rescue Skills Breakdown
- 12:20-12:45 Single Burial Scenarios
- 12:45-1:30 Advanced Topics
- 1:30-2:30 Scenario Practice and Assessment
- 2:30-3:30 Patient Considerations and Evac
- 3:30-4:30 Course Close
$250 per 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 HERE to check availability and sign up for a course!
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)
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 .