AIARE 1 for Snowshoers/Skiers - Online/Mt Baker - 2021

Avalanche Safety Course

AIARE 1 Avalanche Class

AIARE Level 1 avalanche safety course, open to all.

This is an AIARE certified level 1 avalanche course consisting of four hours of online pre-course work, two online evening lectures, and a two-day field trip in the backcountry adjacent to the Mount Baker ski area. Lodging cost is not included in the registration fee. The online lectures and field trip dates are as follows: 

SCHEDULE:
  • Pre-course work: Due Wed, Jan 6th, 5:00pm (4 hrs self-paced online coursework)
  • Online Lecture 1: Wed, Jan 13th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
  • Online Lecture 2: Wed, Jan 20th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
  • Field Trip: Sat, Jan 30th - Sun, Jan 31st, 8am - 4pm
WHAT IS COVERED:

This course introduces students to terminology, terrain identification.  Students will learn about factors that contribute to increasing or decreasing risk such as weather, snowpack, human error and terrain. Students at this level are given techniques to mitigate risk and avoid avalanches through reading terrain, trip planning, snowpack evaluation, understanding avalanche forecasts, travel techniques and team decision making.

 
FOCUS ON DECISION MAKING AND PLANNING:
The class is oriented toward demonstrating practical ways to make safe decisions when traveling in avalanche terrain. The planning and decision making tools introduced in this course are just as applicable to managing all sorts of mountaineering hazards as they are to safety in avalanche terrain. Companion rescue methods are also covered in this class. 
I can't think of one moment in the course which was not a learning experience. I especially liked how my instructors challenged us to judge terrain and make choices at the field trip, and then asked us to reflect on those decisions.
FIELD TRIP DETAILS:

The entirety of the field trip will be completed in the backcountry adjacent to the Mt. Baker Ski Area. The course registration fee does not include lodging. Due to Covid-19, the Baker lodge is not available. Please make reservations for accommodations well in advance if you intend to stay in Glacier or Bellingham. The field trip starts promptly at 8am on Saturday and Sunday mornings and weather can make an early morning arrival challenging. The field days will end at 4pm, so returning to the Seattle area is possible but will make for a long day.

COMMUNICATION AFTER REGISTERING:

In mid-December after registration closes, registered students will receive a welcome email with additional information about the pre-coursework material and links to student manuals and other materials to help prepare for the class.  

CANCELLATION AND ATTENDANCE POLICY

During the open registration period, students can cancel their registration and receive a refund of their course fee minus a $50 cancellation fee. After registration closes, students will receive no refunds for cancellations. Pre-course work and attendance at all classes are required. We will attempt to provide one make-up field day for anyone who could not attend part or all of the field trips due to illness.

ABOUT AIARE

To learn more about the AIARE approach to avalanche education used by the Mountaineers, visit the AIARE website.

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

During the two day field trip students will need the following equipment:

  • Either backcountry skis / splitboard with skins, or snowshoes. 
  • A metal shovel designed for avalanche rescue (no plastic shovels)
  • A full length avalanche probe (Minimum length of 240cm / Recommended length of 280cm)
  • An avalanche beacon (3 antenna beacons are required)
  • Clothes suitable both for standing around and getting exercise outdoors all day in possibly cold, windy, snowy or even rainy conditions. 
Course Materials

You must register for this course to see course materials.