Avalanche Education

Learn the skills you need to safely navigate the backcountry. Join Snowbird Backcountry Guides for an Avalanche Awareness Seminar or a 3-day AIARE Level 1 certification course. 

24-Hour AIARE Level 1 Certification

A 3-day/24-hour introduction to planning and prep for travel in avalanche terrain, human factors, terrain recognition, "red flag" observations, terrain selection and travel techniques. Lift ticket included on Field Sessions.

• Dates: December 21-23, 2018; January 11-13, February 8-10, March 1-3, 2019.
• Friday - Sunday: 8 am - 5 pm.
• Required Equipment: Transceiver, shovel and probe.
• Prerequisites: None. Students must be able to travel in backcountry terrain.
• Registration: 801.471.4387 or snowbirdguides@gmail.com
• Cost: $450
• American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education

AIARE Avalanche Rescue

Snowbird Backcountry Guides AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a 1-day stand alone course that is intended to be retaken on a regular basis in order to keep abreast of best practices in rescue techniques and gear. New participants will learn the basics of companion rescue, while return participants will expand their skill set with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice to help improve their skills after the course. Each participant will have the opportunity to receive professional coaching with their rescue skills and will receive a rescue card acknowledging completion date at course end.

• Dates: December 8, 2018; January 5, February 2 & 23, 2019.
• Thursday: 8 am - 5 pm.
• Prerequisite: AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a prerequisite for the AIARE 2 and Pro 1 courses. AIARE recommends that all backcountry travelers keep their skills current by taking an Avalanche Rescue Course and receiving a rescue card at least every other year.​
• Cost: $125

AIARE Level 2 Course 

AIARE 2 is a 3-day/24-hour course for students looking to continue their avalanche education. This course builds off of the foundation provided by AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue with a focus on leadership, planning, in-depth snowpack assessment and more complex decision making in avalanche terrain. By taking this course, students should expect to develop skills in the following areas: applying the particular avalanche problem to the terrain, utilizing, interpreting and contributing to weather and avalanche resources, providing leadership in small recreational groups and developing basic weather and avalanche forecasting skills.

• Dates: January 25-27, 2019.
• Friday - Sunday: 8 am - 5 pm.
• Prerequisites: Ability to travel uphill in backcountry terrain. Successful completion of AAA approved Level 1 and Avalanche Rescue courses. One winter applying skills learned in Level 1 before taking AIARE 2 course.
• Cost: $600