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AIARE 1 Avalanche Course from White Pine Touring in Park City, UT.

AIARE 1: Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain

Starting at $640.00 per person

Description

For anyone looking to ski outside of resort boundaries, a solid education in backcountry and avalanche safety is a must-have to stay safe. Our AIARE 1 course provides a foundation for educated backcountry travel, including how to be prepared when venturing beyond backcountry gates. Insight into route finding, terrain, decision making, and rescue techniques is provided. With a total of 24 hours of curriculum, our AIARE 1 avalanche course gives you what you need to look at backcountry terrain with careful eyes.

Thanks to our unique partnership with Park City Municipal Corporation, Talisker and Empire Pass Master Owners Association, two full days of the AIARE 1 fieldwork are performed in a true, remote backcountry setting in the Wasatch Mountains. We would like to thank our partners for their continued help and support in ensuring that AIARE 1 students in the Wasatch Mountains receive the best possible avalanche education.

Students must be 16 years of age or older.*

*Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the full duration of the course. This requires the parent or guardian to also pay the full course fee and attend the classroom and field days.

Please review our Reservation & Cancellation Policy.

For more information, call White Pine Touring at 435-649-8710 or email us at experts@whitepinetouring.com.

Dates & Times:

  • January 8th–10th, 2027
  • January 22nd–24th, 2027
  • February 5th–7th, 2027
  • March 5th–7th, 2027

    • Cost:

    Starting at $640.00 per person

    Student Learning Outcomes

    • Develop a plan for travel in avalanche terrain.
    • Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche terrain.
    • Effectively use the AIARE Decision Making Framework to make terrain choices in a group setting
    • Demonstrate effective companion rescue.

    Instructional Sessions

    1. Introduction to the Avalanche Phenomena
      • Types and characteristics of avalanches
      • Avalanche motion
      • Size classification
      • Mountain snowpack: an introduction to metamorphism and layering
    2. Observations and Information Gathering
      • Field observation techniques
      • Snowpack tests: rutschblock, compression test
      • Avalanche danger factors or "Red Flags"
      • Observation checklist
      • Avalanche danger scale
    3. Trip Planning and Preparation
      • Avalanche terrain recognition, assessment, and selection
      • Route finding and travel techniques
      • Decision making and Human Factors
    4. Companion Rescue and Equipment