AIARE Avalanche Level 2 in Lake Tahoe

The AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Course is traditionally the entry-level professional course for ski guides, patrollers and forecasters. This season, the course has been redesigned to meet the needs of advanced recreational students who are looking to advance their decision-making skills in more complex terrain and situations. So come join us in Lake Tahoe and bolster your avalanche knowledge!

Is this avalanche course for me?

This is a three-day comprehensive, introductory course designed for students to pick up where AIARE Level 1 left off.

Here’s what you’ll learn

• How to differentiate where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape
• Identify avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe
• Use and interpret weather, snow, and avalanche observations to locate appropriate terrain before going in the field and after
• You’ll work on demonstrating leadership skills within a small team. This includes facilitating small group discussion, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies
• How to implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absences of local supporting avalanche information

Itinerary

Day 1 – The Changing Mountain Snowpack

• AIARE 1 Review
• Mountain Weather
• Mountain Snowpack
• Trip Planning
• Snow profiles in the Field

Day 2 – Making Quality observations

• Avalanche Formation and Release
• Interpreting Weather Data, Snow Surface Conditions, and Snow Profiles
• Craftsmanship, Relevancy, and Verification of Snow Observations
• Risk Management in Small Groups
• Snowpack Test in the Field

Day 3 – Applying Observations to Field Decisions

• Traveling in the Field as a Small Team
• Field Risk Management and During Action Review
• Communicating Observations to our group, other travelers, and local experts

Who should take this course?

This course is for skiers and backcountry explorers who want to take their avalanche learning and rescue knowledge to the next level. After taking this course, participants can begin exploring Pro Level 1 classes for next season!

After this class you’ll

• Be able to plan and prepare for travel in avalanche terrain
• Have a solid framework for making decisions in compromised terrain
• Be able to apply effective companion rescue techniques

Prerequisites for your Avalanche Level 2 course

• All participants should be comfortable traveling in snow under while carrying touring gear. Though it is a beginner course, excellent physical fitness is required
• Skiers must be competent resort skiers able to link turns in a variety of terrain and snow conditions
• All participants must have completed AIARE Level 1 and AIARE Rescue courses in order to take this Level 2 course