Women's AIARE Courses Colorado
Overview
Women’s AIARE avalanche courses in Colorado — taught in the terrain of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Our AIARE Avalanche courses take advantage of the amazing terrain in Rocky Mountain National Park to help jump start your touring career. We use a hybrid course model to maximize your time in the mountains and minimize the interruption to your life.
The course starts with an online learning module that you gain access to one week prior to course start. Two days before your course starts, you’ll meet with your instructor for an evening of virtual learning using video chat. The course will then move into the field where you’ll spend two full day tours traveling through the mountains practicing techniques for managing avalanche hazard.
Women’s AIARE Avalanche Courses Overview
Avalanche Education for Women in Rocky Mountain National Park
- Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Format: Hybrid — an online learning module released a week before the course, then field days with your instructor
- Season: Winter
- Difficulty: Moderate
- For: Women and non-binary skiers and splitboarders starting or building a touring career
Who These Courses Are For
- Women beginning a backcountry touring career who want a solid foundation
- Skiers and riders who prefer to learn in an all-women environment
- Riders who want avalanche education without taking a week off work — the hybrid model minimises the interruption to your life
Why Take Your AIARE Course with The Mountain Guides Colorado
- Rocky Mountain National Park terrain: Learn in the amazing terrain that makes this range a world-class classroom
- AMGA-trained and certified guides: Professional ski and splitboard guides
- Hybrid format: Online learning before you arrive means more of your course time is spent in the mountains
Jump-Start Your Touring Career
Check availability and course dates below to book your AIARE course.
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
This course offers both beginner and experienced backcountry users an opportunity to learn and practice companion rescue skills. Rescues skills are a perishable skill and taking an AIARE companion rescue course will Increase the likelihood of you being able to mange the worst case scenario with greater competence and confidence.
Knowledge and planning that help you avoid getting caught in an avalanche is the best plan; an AIARE companion rescue course is a backup in case everything goes wrong.
We will explore our equipment through its abilities and limitations while providing skills, practice and clarity for the avalanche rescue standard.
We promote a culture of routine avalanche rescue practice and attendance of an Avalanche Rescue course every two years.
AIARE 1 = $595 / person
Companion Rescue Course = $250 / person
BOULDER, COLORADO
COMING SOON - Rescue Course
JACKSON, WYOMING
Rescue Course December 19
WHITEFISH, MONTANA
COMING SOON
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)
Jackson Wyoming:
Grand Teton National Park is located roughly 30 minutes from our Jackson, WY headquarters. Our Jackson office is located in the south part of Jackson at 1325 S. Highway 89, Suite 104 and shares a parking area with Smith’s. Our phone number is (800) 239-7642 or (307) 733-4979. Most trips and classes will meet at this office for gear checks, preparation, and classes. The Jackson Hole airport is the closest, but Idaho Falls (a 2 – 2.5 hour drive) is a cheaper option and Salt Lake City (4 – 5 hour drive) are also air travel options. It is helpful to arrive a couple of days prior to your trip/class in order to acclimatize. Otherwise, you should arrive the day before and stop by our office for an equipment check. Do not plan on traveling the day after a significant climb – you will be tired and there are no guaranteed times when we will return to the trailhead. Plan on having accommodations for the night prior to and the night you return from a significant climb. There are a plethora of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts in Jackson and the surrounding area. Accommodations near our office make your transitions convenient. It is highly advisable to make reservations as early as possible. Lodging recommendations and many more details can be found in the downloadable document below.