Eager to head to the backcountry to escape the crowds this winter? We get it! Although backcountry travelling is nothing short of fun, paying special attention to avalanche safety is fundamental to your good time. Gain the decision-making skills necessary to evaluate and travel in avalanche terrain with this AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course! There is no better way to brush upon your backcountry education than the amazing powder-filled scenery of Vail, Colorado. The Level 1 course includes a one-day remote classroom session, followed by two full days in the field. Learn from the very best and become skilled in exploring the most impressive backcountry terrain in the area!
Spend 27 hours on some of the most dependable and mellow snowpack in Colorado
Learn how to identify and manage risk in the backcountry in a safe and supervised environment
Colorado goes through strong warming cycles, creating high avalanche danger, so it’s important to know basic avalanche rescue skills
This AIARE Level 1 course will help prepare you for the unexpected when exploring the backcountry. During this three-day comprehensive course — consisting of 27 hours of avalanche education — you will get introduced to the skills necessary to make confident and informed decisions in challenging avalanche conditions. Thanks to up-to-date information, modern practices and qualified instructors, you will easily master all the foundations of safe backcountry travel. With detailed knowledge of the Colorado area and years of experience skiing the backcountry, your guides will provide you with customized instructions and help you achieve your learning goals!
You will meet with your instructor for a remote-class day of discussion, planning, and group activities prior to your weekend field days. You will also be expected to complete a series of pre-course e-learning modules provided by AIARE and evening assignments during the course. Since the course includes a student manual, AIARE field book and AIARE certificate of completion, you will easily excel both in practice and theory! Wait no more and join your guide in the most eye-opening and rewarding adventure in the backcountry!
Instead of classroom-based learning, the Friday classroom session will be conducted remotely via Zoom. Classroom days will start around 9:00 am and end around 5:00 pm. Students participating virtually will still be able to engage in group discussion and view instructors via the online platform. Completion of prerequisite e-learning modules is required by AIARE prior to the start of all courses. Participants should be prepared for the AIARE Level 1 modules to take about four hours. You will learn about:
The topics listed above will first be discussed in the classroom then applied in person during the weekend field days.
Field days will start around 8:00 am, end around 5:00-5:30 pm, and take place in Vail Valley, Vail Pass or Fremont Pass. Get acquainted with the group and familiarize yourself with avy gear (beacon, probe, shovel and airbag), then head out with your guide and group and learn about:
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 Vail, please refer to the Colorado State and City of Vail websites.
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 you get in this adventure:
What’s not included:
In order to enjoy this avalanche course, you need to have an excellent level of fitness. Skiers must be able to hike for many hours at a time while carrying a small pack. You don’t need to be an advanced skier or boarder, but you do need to be able to ascend moderate slopes using skins. All participants should be comfortable traveling in snow under while carrying touring gear.
Avalanche safety technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
Ski rental locations are in Dillon, Edwards and Breckenridge, 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 size:
If you’d like to take a private course with just an instructor and your own group, AIARE Avalanche Level 1 courses in Vail can be customized to your group’s specific needs. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If you plan to take the course with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Vail, most people fly into Denver International Airport or Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. From Denver, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service, like Colorado Mountain Express. It is a two-hour drive to the Vail area from both airports. The closest possible option is actually the Eagle County Airport, only a 45 minutes away and offering domestic flights.
Prior to departure, each group will meet with their instructor for a remote-class day of discussion, planning, and group activities prior to their weekend field days. Field sessions will take place in the Vail backcountry. Your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. Location may change depending on snow conditions.
