Avalanche Education
Learn the skills you need to navigate the backcountry. Join Snowbird Mountain Guides this winter for a 2-day AIARE Level 1 certification course, a 3-day AIARE Level 2 certification course, a 2-day Avalanche Rescue course or custom avalanche instruction.
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 18 - 20, 2020; January 8 - 10, January 22 - 24, February 5 - 7, February 26 - 28, March 19 - 21, April 2 - 4, 2021.
- Friday - Sunday: 8 am - 5 pm
- Required Equipment: Transceiver, shovel and probe.
- Prerequisites: None. Students must be able to travel in backcountry terrain.
- Registration: 801.933.2096 or MountainGuides@Snowbird.com
- Cost: $450
- American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education
Snowbird Mountain Guides AIARE Avalanche courses will feature limited group sizes and an online component to comply with COVID-19 county, state and national protocols and guidelines. Field sessions will be held in small groups to allow for physical distancing.
AIARE Level 2 Certification
The AIARE 2 is a 3-day/24-hour course that provides backcountry travelers an opportunity to advance their decision-making skills in more complicated situations such as being a leader within a small travel group, traveling in more complicated terrain and/or developing a travel plan where resources are scarce.
The AIARE 2 builds on the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the AIARE 1 and adds to it the evaluation of critical hazard assessment factors. Students will describe and discuss weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain.
- Dates: March 5 - 7, 2021.
- Friday - Sunday: 8 am - 5 pm
- Required Equipment: Transceiver, shovel and probe.
- Prerequisites: AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue Course.
- Registration: 801.933.2096 or MountainGuides@Snowbird.com
- Cost: $550
- American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education
Snowbird Mountain Guides AIARE Avalanche courses will feature limited group sizes and an online component to comply with COVID-19 county, state and national protocols and guidelines. Field sessions will be held in small groups to allow for physical distancing.
AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course
Snowbird Backcountry Guides AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a 2-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. This 8-hour rescue course will be split between a short evening online session and a full field day to follow.
Each participant will have the opportunity to receive professional coaching with their rescue skills and will receive a rescue card acknowledging the completion date at the course end.
- Dates: December 11 - 12, 2020 (Sold Out) ; January 15 - 16, February 19 - 20, March 12 - 13, 2021.
- Friday: 6 - 8 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 3 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.
- Registration: 801.933.2096 or MountainGuides@Snowbird.com
- Cost: $150
Snowbird Mountain Guides AIARE Avalanche Rescue courses will feature limited group sizes and an online component to comply with COVID-19 county, state and national protocols and guidelines. Field sessions will be held in small groups to allow for physical distancing.
Custom Avalanche Instruction
Snowbird Mountain Guides offers custom avalanche instruction for individuals and small private groups. Standard course offerings are available; AIARE 1, 2 and Avalanche Rescue, in addition to instruction customized to meet the needs and interests of the guest. Private avalanche instruction is scheduled at the guest's request, availability permitting. Certified instructors can assist with preparation for an upcoming course, refreshers, standard courses or custom options. Please call, email or stop by the Snowbird Mountain Guides office for more information.
- Please call for pricing at 801.933.2096.