The Ultimate Guide to AIARE Avalanche Courses
If you want to travel safely in the winter backcountry, avalanche education is essential. AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) courses are the nationally recognized standard for learning how to assess risk, understand snowpack, and make informed decisions in avalanche terrain.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through what AIARE courses are, what you’ll learn, the full course progression, and where to take a course depending on your goals, skill level, and location. Whether you're preparing for your first ski tour or looking to step up to more complex terrain, this is your one-stop resource for starting (and advancing!) your avalanche education.
🧭 Why Take an AIARE Course?
AIARE courses combine classroom learning with field-based practice to help you build essential skills for winter travel in avalanche terrain. Whether you’re a new backcountry traveler or a seasoned backcountry skier/rider refining your decision-making, these courses offer the foundation for safer days in the mountains.
With formal training, you’ll:
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Learn to recognize avalanche terrain and unstable conditions
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Interpret avalanche forecasts and apply them to real-world travel
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Plan safer tours and make decisions as a team
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Gain the confidence to travel independently in the backcountry
Many courses now offer hybrid formats, blending online learning and instructor webinars before the course, to help you arrive more prepared and get more out of your time in the field.
✍️ AIARE Course Progression
Progression
While it might seem obvious that you need to take AIARE 1 before taking AIARE 2, there are a number of paths to building your avalanche education.
For example, you can choose to start your avalanche education journey by taking a one-day AIARE Rescue course, and then later on taking your AIARE 1. Or you could do it the other way around. The AIARE 1 course does include half a day of rescue practice but given that there is a lot to cover in the AIARE 1 curriculum, it is often not quite enough to make students feel completely comfortable with their rescue skills. This is why taking a dedicated Avalanche Rescue course is so important.
Finally, one very popular option is to combine the two courses by taking an AIARE 1 + Rescue course. There are some major differences between an AIARE 1 and and AIARE 1 + Rescue course. The AIARE 1 + Rescue is a 3-day course with the entire first day dedicated to AIARE Rescue. This then frees up half a day in the AIARE 1 curriculum that would have been used for Rescue drills, to really go deeper on AIARE 1 topics during Field Day 2 And Field Day 3.
Students end up with twice the amount of Rescue practice vs. a solo AIARE 1, and 33% more time to focus on AIARE 1 skills. It's no wonder the AIARE 1 + Rescue has rapidly grown in popularity!
Interested in this combined option? Find an AIARE 1 + Rescue Course Near You:
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AIARE 1 + Rescue in Washington (Snoqualmie Pass & Mt Baker)
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AIARE 1 + Rescue in Oregon (Mt Hood)
AIARE 1: Avalanche Fundamentals
Duration: 2 Field Days (plus online curriculum + Zoom webinar)
Best for: Newer backcountry skiers and riders with no formal avalanche education
You’ll learn:
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How to interpret avalanche forecasts
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Identify avalanche-prone terrain
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Make safer travel decisions in real time
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Snow and weather observation techniques
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Basic trip planning and route selection
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Human factors and communication tools
💡 Guide Tip: Choose a course that offers a hybrid learning format combining 4-6 hours of online modules and a 2-hour live webinar the week before your course. This helps maximize time in the field for hands-on practice, instead of sitting in a classroom for a whole day, so you show up ready to apply what you've learned.
✅ Pro Tip: By combining AIARE 1 + Avalanche Rescue into a single 3-day course, you can develop far better companion rescue skills and decision-making in a real touring setting.
Learn more: What to expect in an AIARE 1 Avalanche Course
Ready to learn and get out into the backcountry? Find an AIARE 1 Course near you:
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AIARE 1 in Washington (Snoqualmie Pass & Mt Baker)
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AIARE 1 in Oregon (Mt Hood)
Avalanche Rescue
Duration: 1 Field Day
Best for: Anyone traveling in avalanche terrain. Required before taking AIARE 2.
You’ll learn:
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Beacon search techniques (single and multiple burial)
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Probing and strategic shoveling
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Rescue scene leadership
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Self-evaluation and improvement strategies
✅ Pro Tip: If available, look for courses that offer lift-assisted rescue training, which can maximize reps in avalanche-prone terrain while minimizing skin track fatigue. This is especially helpful for those wanting more hands-on practice in realistic rescue scenarios.
Recommended every 2–3 years to stay current with evolving tools and techniques.
Learn more: What to expect in an AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course
Ready to sharpen your rescue skills? Find an Avalanche Rescue course near you:
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AIARE Rescue in Tahoe (Lift-Assisted) <-- What does Lift-Assisted mean?
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AIARE Rescue in Washington (Snoqualmie Pass & Mt Baker)
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AIARE Rescue in Oregon (Mt Hood)
AIARE 2: Advanced Decision-Making
Duration: 2 Field Days (plus online curriculum + Zoom webinar)
Best for: Experienced backcountry skiers ready to lead more complex trips. For those who have already completed AIARE 1 and AIARe Rescue courses.
You’ll learn:
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Tracking snowpack development over time
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Tour planning for complex and persistent problems
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Travel strategy in challenging conditions
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Terrain management and team leadership
Learn more: What to expect in an AIARE 2 Avalanche Course
Ready to level up your avalanche skills? Find an AIARE 2 Course near you:
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AIARE 2 in Washington (Snoqualmie Pass & Mt Baker)
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AIARE 2 in Oregon (Mt Hood)
🧠 What You’ll Learn: Key Skills & Takeaways
Each AIARE course blends theory with applied decision-making. Expect interactive learning, real-world scenarios, and field-based problem solving.
AIARE 1 and AIARE 2 Courses often include pre-course components, like 4-6 hours of online learning and a 2-hour live webinar, to frontload key concepts and ensure students are field-ready from day one.
Key takeaways include:
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How to recognize avalanche terrain and instability clues
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Structured decision-making and group communication tools
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Route planning using forecasts, maps, and field observations
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Companion rescue techniques for emergencies
Topics covered:
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Mountain Snowpack & Weather
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Avalanche Problem Types
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Route Planning and Terrain Management
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Human Factors in Decision-Making
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Rescue Protocols
🎿 What You Need to Participate
Skills & Fitness Requirements:
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Confidence skiing/riding on black diamond terrain at the resort
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Comfortable skiing/riding variable snow (crust, windboard, powder)
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For AIARE 1 and AIARE 2: Prior experience touring and comfortable with gear & making transitions. If you’ve never been touring, you’ll need to take an Intro to Backcountry course.
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Fit enough for 3–5 miles of travel and 1,000–1,500 ft of vertical gain
Gear Checklist:
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Touring setup (AT skis or splitboard, skins, poles)
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Avalanche beacon, shovel, probe
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Backpack (30L+), layers, goggles, helmet
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Food, water, thermos
If you require gear rentals, you can rent an Avalanche Kit (Backpack, Beacon, Shovel, Probe) from Blackbird, and touring equipment from local gear Shop Partners.
🌎 Where to Take an AIARE Course
Courses are offered across a variety of snow climates, each offering a unique learning environment.
Pacific Northwest (Maritime Snowpack)
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Mt. Baker, WA: Deep snow, long season, ideal for immersive field days
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Snoqualmie Pass, WA: Complex terrain and varied snowpack; better suited for experienced backcountry users
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Mt. Hood, OR: Volcanic terrain with a mix of storm skiing and spring corn
California (Maritime to Transitional)
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Lake Tahoe: Classic Sierra conditions, perfect for tree skiing and lift-assisted rescue formats
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Mammoth Lakes: High elevation, big storms, and a long touring season
Colorado (Continental Snowpack)
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Summit County / San Juans: Excellent for studying persistent weak layers and remote terrain management
Utah (Intermountain Snowpack)
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Wasatch Range: Accessible, high-volume terrain; a great learning lab for all skill levels
🧭 Tip: Choose your course location based on where you’ll be touring most often, or challenge yourself by training in a new snowpack type to build broader experience.
🔗 Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you're new to the backcountry or looking to take on bigger terrain, avalanche education is the foundation for safer travel and better decision-making.
🧭 Find an AIARE course near you
🎿 Explore Blackbird’s AIARE 1 + Rescue and lift-assisted rescue programs
🏔 New to touring? Check out our Intro to Backcountry Courses
📋 FAQ
Do I need to take Avalanche Rescue and AIARE 1 separately?
No. Many providers, including Blackbird, offer combined AIARE 1 + Rescue courses over three days (usually Friday-Sunday), making it easier to build a complete foundation without needing two separate weekends.
What’s the benefit of lift-assisted rescue courses?
They offer more time in real avy terrain and allow students to complete more practice scenarios without long approaches, ideal for hands-on learners. See Why Your Avalanche Rescue course should be lift-assisted.
Can I take Avalanche Rescue before AIARE 1?
Yes. You can take it before, after, or during the same weekend.
Where’s the best place to take an AIARE course?
It depends on your long-term touring goals. If you plan to ski big maritime snowpacks like those in Washington, California, or Oregon, train there. Want to improve snowpack tracking? Consider the Rockies or Utah.
Do I need to attend an in-person classroom day?
No. Many courses (including Blackbird Avalanche Courses) use a hybrid format with 4-6 hours of self-paced online learning and a 2-hour Zoom webinar the week before the field days. This lets you review materials in advance and maximize your time outdoors.