Avalanche
Education
AVALANCHE EDUCATION
We are now offering Avalanche Educational courses in partnership with AIARE.
AIARE Mission
Saving Lives Through Avalanche Education
AIARE was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization to create an evidence-based avalanche education model for backcountry users, believing that avalanche education, research, and training can prevent injuries and fatalities. AIARE develops and disseminates research-based avalanche curricula to over 110 providers nationwide, as well as in France, Chile, and Argentina, and it also offers professional and avalanche instructor training courses.
COURSES
Recreational Rescue
Recreational Rescue $275
$225 for Season Passholders
Discounts available for Mt. Rose Staff.
Course Description
AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one-day stand alone course that is intended to be retaken 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 returning participants will expand their skill set with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice to help improve their skills.
Each participant will have the opportunity to receive professional coaching on their rescue skills, and will receive a rescue card acknowledging the completion date.
AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a prerequisite for the AIARE 2 and Pro 1 courses. AIARE recommends that all backcountry travelers keep their skills current by taking an Avalanche Rescue course and receiving a rescue card at least every other year.
Who Should Take this Course
The Avalanche Rescue Course is a one-day course aimed both at new and experienced recreational backcountry travelers and aspiring avalanche professionals.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Avalanche Rescue course the student should be able to:
- Describe what to do if they or a member of their party is caught in an avalanche.
- Identify and be able to use gear necessary for avalanche rescue.
- Set up a realistic scenario in order to practice an avalanche rescue response.
- Improve their response skills and times during and after the course with feedback from instructors and peers.
- Develop a plan for continuing practice.
All students will have the opportunity to get feedback from an instructor on their rescue skills and timed practice in a realistic scenario.
Students who have previously taken an AIARE 1 or an Avalanche Rescue Course will find value in having a professional help them set up realistic scenarios, practice skills in a realistic setting, receive feedback from an instructor, keep up with current best practices, and have an opportunity to practice advanced rescue skills.
LEVEL I
AIARE LEVEL I $625
$525 for Season Passholders
Discounts available for Mt. Rose Staff.
Course Description
The AIARE 1 is a three-day / 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazard management.
Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).
Who Should Take this Course
The AIARE 1 is for ANYONE, regardless of method of travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. Participants may have attended some awareness classes or workshops or completed the Avalanche Rescue course, but none are a prerequisite for this course.
Aspiring professionals will need to take the AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue as a prerequisite for the Pro 1 course.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the AIARE 1 course, the student should be able to:
- Develop a plan for travel in avalanche terrain.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche terrain.
- Effectively use The AIARE Risk Management Framework to make terrain choices in a group setting.
- Demonstrate effective companion rescue.
Prerequisites
Students must be able to travel in avalanche terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow to class. There are no other prerequisites.
LEVEL II
AIARE LEVEL I $750
$650 for Season Passholders
Discounts available for Mt. Rose Staff.
Course Description
The AIARE 2 is a three-day/24-hour course that provides backcountry travelers an opportunity to advance their decision making skills in more complicated situations such as being a leader within a small travel group, traveling in more complicated terrain, and/or developing a travel plan where resources are scarce.
The AIARE 2 builds on the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the AIARE 1 and adds to it the evaluation of critical hazard assessment factors. Students will describe and discuss weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain.
Who Should Take this Course
The AIARE 2 is a three-day course for those who have taken an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue and since then 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
AIARE or AAA-approved one-day Avalanche Rescue Course.
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.
Mt. Rose Course Schedule*:
January 4-5 Level 1
January 9 Rescue Class
January 14-15 Level 1
January 17 Rescue Class
January 28-29 Level 1
February 8 Rescue Class
February 12 Rescue Class
February 18 Rescue Class
February 21-23 Rescue Class and Level 1 (combo)
March 1-2 Level 1
March 8 Rescue Class
March 13 Rescue Class
March 21 Rescue Class
March 22,23 Level 2
*This is a tentative list of dates. Subject to change.
