AIARE Avalanche Level 1 in Jackson Hole

Things to know

• Covid measures in Jackson Hole, WY

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, please refer to the Wyoming Department of Health’s official website.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• What’s included?

  What you get in this adventure:

  • • An experienced, certified guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • A virtual check-in and introduction into the course
    • A full 2 days in the field

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Accommodation
    • Food and snacks
    • A 35$ vehicle fee at the Grand Teton National Park entrance
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to get the most of this adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

  Prerequisites:
  These courses are for downhill skiers and boarders. All participants must travel on touring skis or splitboard during the course and be comfortable riding black diamond terrain at the resort or ungroomed backcountry snow on slopes up to 30 degrees (blue square).

• What equipment do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring, telemark, or snowboarding boots (can be rented)
    • Skis or splitboard with compatible binding for boots (can be rented)
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented)
    • Climbing skins (can be rented)
    • Ski poles (can be rented)
    • Basic avalanche safety gear (can be rented)
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Long sleeve synthetic — medium to expedition weight long underwear
    • Soft shell or fleece jacket
    • Shell jacket with a hood
    • Puffy jacket with a hood
    • Synthetic or wool long underwear bottoms
    • Shell pants — full side zips and built-in gaiters
    • Socks — synthetic or wool, sized for your boots and blister protection
    • Liners — optional, but recommended
    • Gloves – 3 pairs: 1 light, 1 medium, 1 heavy pair
    • Medium weight ski hat
    • Baseball hat or visor for sun
    • Buff or a neck gaiter
    • Backpack (30-40 liter ski pack)
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Food you can eat-on-the-go
    • Sunglasses
    • Ski goggles
    • Sunscreen
    • Headlamp and extra batteries
    • Laptop computer
    • Camera — optional
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

  • • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe can be rented from Jackson Hole Mountain Guides
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Jackson Hole Mountain Guides
    • Splitboards can be rented from Jackson Hole Mountain Guides

  Ski rental locations are in Jackson, WY and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• Group sizes and age requirements
  • • These courses are not private. For the group courses, the usual guest to guide ratio is 6:1.
    • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

  AIARE Level 1 courses in Jackson Hole can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:
  You must be at least 18 years old to participate.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The simplest way to reach Jackson Hole is by taking a flight to the Salt Lake City International Airport. From there, you are a 4-5 hour drive away to Jackson, WY, depending on the weather conditions. Renting a car is recommended, but air travel options to the Jackson Hole Airport are also available. Grand Teton National Park is located roughly 10 minutes from Jackson, WY.

  You will usually meet your guides at their Jackson, WY headquarters, after which you will take off for the trailhead in the Grand Teton National Park.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  For set dates, a 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies, and deposits are no longer refundable. The remaining 70% of the amount is paid the latest 3 months (90 days) prior the departure.

  In the event that the minimum number of people to confirm the adventure is not reached, your guide can cancel the departure at most 2 months before the start of the trip. Please note the adventures for 2025 are expected to reach the minimum number of people soon, and the likelihood of trip not happening is very low.
  In case you need to cancel the adventure, the following cancellation costs would be incurred:

  • The deposit is non-refundable once the trip has been confirmed.
  • 70% of the adventure price is refundable if canceled 59 days or more before departure, once the trip has been confirmed.
  • 50% of the adventure price is refundable if canceled 30-59 days before departure.
  • 25% of the adventure price is refundable if canceled 16-29 days before departure.
  • 0% of the price of the trip if it is canceled 15 days before departure.

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit. 

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best. 

  More about how Early Bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit). 
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.