AIARE
(American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education)
Avalanche Training Level I
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In an effort to offer AIARE's clients the highest level of instruction possible and to meet the American Avalanche Associations new minimum standards for all Level I avalanche courses we must have a minimum of 24 hours of instruction. In order to fit the extended time frame we must add a day to the course to keep the days manageable for both our clients and instructors. This also allows us to offer our clients more opportunity in the field and more practice. Please check out AIARE web site for any further questions at www.avtraining.org or call us toll free at at 866-657-3872. Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you in the backcountry!
Petra Cliffs Mountaineering School, in an ever-evolving effort to continue to offer its clients the highest level of instruction, will be offering avalanche courses that meet the standards set by the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). The AIARE training and materials we received will allow Petra Cliffs to provide you with the best avalanche training available.
AIARE's Mission, Goals and Overview
The primary mission of the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education is
to:
'Save Lives Through Education'
The Goals of AIARE are to:
- Increase the public awareness of avalanches and avalanche safety
- Provide high quality avalanche education and thereby enhance public awareness and safety.
- Provide avalanche instructors with the curriculum, training and tools with which to educate students about the knowledge, methods, and decision making skills necessary to travel in avalanche terrain.
- Develop an international network of professional avalanche educators, and provide continued professional development in the form of instructor training and education.
- Support and/or undertake projects that promote the understanding of avalanches.
- Support the creation and dissemination of avalanche information.
- Increase the public awareness of avalanches and avalanche safety.
Program Overview
Why AIARE? There is no nationally recognized curriculum for avalanche education in the USA. The American Avalanche Association (AAA) has 'recommended guidelines' that AIARE adheres to however the AAA has no unified curriculum. There are many avalanche courses and programs available but in large part, course providers operate according to their own personal beliefs and ideas. There are few means for the public to assess the quality of an avalanche course or instructor.
AIARE was formed to address this situation. AIARE has developed and continue to develop standardized curriculum for a complete program of avalanche courses that meets the needs of students at all levels, from recreational to professional and from novice to advanced. AIARE has created and continue to create course materials for instructors and students to maximize the effectiveness of both teachers and learners. AIARE requires instructors to meet pre-requisites and attend a training sessions before they are allowed access to AIARE materials and curriculum. In addition, instructors are required to sign an agreement stating they will abide by the guidelines established by AIARE and they are required to attend regular refreshers to maintain and improve their avalanche knowledge, instructional skills, and their understanding of the evolving AIARE curriculum and materials.
The standards and guidelines developed by AIARE are not unilateral declarations by an elite group. Where applicable, AIARE standards and guidelines adhere to existing national and international standards such as those developed by the American Avalanche Association and the Canadian Avalanche Association. In addition, AIARE consults with qualified instructors when developing new curriculum or materials so the products we develop and distribute are based on a wide variety of experience, background, and knowledge. The result is a consensus driven process that has produced an avalanche education program and training courses that meet the needs of the trainers and participants alike.
Three-Day AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education) Avalanche Level I
Petra Cliffs Mountaineering School will teach you the basics of avoiding avalanches including route selection, evaluating avalanche potential and rescue procedures. This stand alone course is a must for skiers, snowboarders, climbers & backcountry enthusiasts. The Level 1 Course provides a complete introduction to the avalanche occurrence, avalanche terrain, decision-making, and rescue. It is an ideal first course for those new to travel in avalanche terrain and a great review or upgrade for anyone who has some experience or prior training but feels they need a skills "tune-up." The Level 1 Course is designed to lead into the AIARE Level 2 Courses.
Participants on a Level 1 Course can expect about 10 hours of classroom instruction and about 14 hours of field instruction in the following subjects:
- Types of avalanches
- Characteristics of avalanches
- An introduction to how avalanches form and release
- Avalanche terrain
- Trip planning and preparation
- Travel techniques
- Decision making
- Avalanche rescue
Click here for more information American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education
- Dates: January 31-February 2
- Times: 9am - 4pm
- Cost: $ 275, includes all technical equipment
