AIARE Avalanche Rescue: The Wasatch

AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course in the Wasatch, Utah

The Mountain Guides’ AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one-day stand alone course that is intended to be taken on a regular basis in order to keep abreast of best practices in rescue techniques and gear. New participants will learn the basics of companion rescue, while return participants will expand their skill set with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice to help improve their skills after the course. Each participant will have the opportunity to receive professional coaching their rescue skills and will receive a rescue card acknowledging completion date at course end.

Avalanche Rescue at a Glance

• Location: Wasatch Mountains, Utah, near Salt Lake City
• Course length: One day, stand-alone, 8 AM–4 PM in the field
• Prerequisites: None; required before AIARE 2 and Pro 1
• Format: Hybrid — online module on enrollment, then a full field day
• Season: Winter
• Certification: Rescue card acknowledging your completion date; retake every two years

What You'll Learn in Avalanche Rescue

• Companion rescue fundamentals: beacon search, probing, and strategic shoveling
• Single-burial scenarios with professional coaching on your technique
• Advanced topics and realistic multi-scenario practice for returning students
• A rescue card acknowledging your completion date

Course Format

All Avalanche Rescue courses at our Wasatch location utilize a hybrid learning model. Your learning starts as soon as you enroll with an online module. Then, you’ll meet with your instructor at 8 AM the day of the course.

The field day runs entirely outdoors from 8 AM to 4 PM. A sample schedule is available in the Itinerary tab below.

Who This Course Is For & Prerequisites

Every backcountry skier, splitboarder, snowmobiler, or climber who carries a beacon should practice rescue regularly. AIARE recommends retaking Avalanche Rescue at least every two years, and it is a prerequisite for the AIARE 2 and Pro 1 courses.

Why Take Avalanche Rescue with The Mountain Guides

• AMGA-trained and certified guides coaching your individual rescue skills
• Realistic scenario practice for new and returning students
• Entirely field-based — the whole day is practice

Continue Your Avalanche Education

Learning to negotiate the backcountry takes years of dedication and practice. We encourage all backcountry travelers to continue their avalanche education yearly. In addition to Avalanche Rescue, we also offer AIARE 1 and AIARE 2 courses as well as a number of camps and courses that get you into the mountains!