Our AIARE 1 Avalanche Course features two full days in the field and an interactive online course built by Blackbird Mountain Guides. It provides a foundation for assessing and managing avalanche hazard as well as finding the best turns in the backcountry!
Please let us know if you would like to be in the same group as other participants in the notes section when booking! We cannot accommodate last minute group switches.
AIARE 1 Avalanche Course in Mammoth
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear
The AIARE 1 Avalanche Course is essential for anyone venturing into the backcountry. Whether you're a skier, or snowboarder, understanding avalanche risks and how to mitigate them is crucial for your safety.
We'll cover the following detailed topics and skills:
- Mountain Snowpack
- Mountain Weather
- The Avalanche Problems
- Trip Planning
- Snow and Weather Observations
- How to Practice Small Team Avalanche Rescue
- Terrain Choice
- Human Factors and Assembling your Team
- Trailhead Departure Check
- Route Finding
- Track Setting
- Descent Choices
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between AIARE 1 and AIARE 1 + Rescue Avalanche courses?
-
AIARE 1 is a 24 hour program, typically with 8 of those hours devoted to classroom study, or in our case, an online curriculum. Of the remaining 16 hours, 8 are typically devoted to planning and executing a ski tour, 4 are for a snow pit, observations, terrain, decision making, etc (full list below), and 4 hours are for avalanche rescue practice.
Our AIARE 1 + Rescue adds a full day of field work, which not only provides more comprehensive rescue training, but it allows us to cover the rest of critical the AIARE 1 topics in much more depth than a regular AIARE 1 course since none of the 16 hours devoted to AIARE 1 time are used for rescue practice (there is a full day for this built in!).
While an AIARE 1 is a great start to your Avy Education, with an AIARE 1 + Rescue you'll walk away with vastly superior avalanche rescue skills and more firsthand knowledge of terrain, snowpack and observations. For more benefits of the AIARE 1 + Rescue course check our blog post: What's the difference between AIARE 1 and AIARE 1 + Rescue?
Explore our AIARE 1 + Rescue Course in Mammoth.
Why choose an AIARE 1 Avalanche course in Mammoth?
-
Mammoth is an ideal location for an AIARE 1 course due to its diverse terrain, deep snowpack, and dynamic weather conditions. With open bowls, steep chutes, and tree-lined glades, participants experience a range of real-world avalanche scenarios.
Mammoth’s reliable snowfall creates a layered snowpack, perfect for learning snow stability assessment and wind slab identification. The area’s high elevation and varied slope aspects provide valuable insights into how sun exposure and temperature changes impact avalanche risk. Combined with expert local guides, Mammoth offers a rich learning environment for backcountry avalanche education.
Why choose Blackbird Mountain Guides for your AIARE 1 course?:
-
Whether it's for our expert, AIARE-certified instructors, flexible online learning options, or practical, lift-accessed rescue training, there are many reason why students choose us. Our courses focus on real-world skills in varied terrain, making learning more efficient and applicable. Additionally, the combination of high-quality instruction and innovative course formats helps our students retain knowledge and stay prepared for real avalanche scenarios. This makes us a trusted choice for anyone serious about avalanche safety education.
For more info check out our blog post about what makes Blackbird's AIARE courses different.
This program requires at least 3 participants to run.
*Early season courses (Nov-Dec) are snowfall- and conditions-dependent. We will let students know 10-14 days ahead of their course date if there is a chance it will not run. If we are unable to run the course, students can reschedule to a later date at no cost. Keep in mind however, that courses fill up fast and we may not be able to reschedule you until later in the season!
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 6 Hour Online Course - can be completed any time prior to the pre-field webinar
- 2 Hour Pre-Field Zoom Webinar - 7:00-9:00pm the Wednesday before the field days
- Field Day 1 - 8:00am meetup with your guide at the trailhead, 3:30-4:00pm end time. Course venue will be determined after the pre-field webinar, based on weather and snow conditions
- Field Day 2 - 8:00am meetup with your guide at the trailhead, 3:30-4:00pm end time. Course venue will be determined after Field Day 1, based on weather and snow conditions
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- Advanced Resort Riding skills - Including off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions
- Basic Backcountry Touring Skills - Including familiarity with equipment and avalanche gear
- Basic Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 3-5 miles and climb 1,000-1,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
- Ski/Split Touring & Avalanche Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Here's what's included with your course:
- Experienced AMGA/AIARE Trained Guide
- Interactive Online Course with lifetime access
- Group safety gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
- Wag bags for human waste disposal - in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Ski/Splitboard Gear
- Avalanche Gear
- Guide Gratuities
Ski Touring and Avalanche Program Gear List(Download Here)
Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
Multiple Midlayer Options
Gloves
Helmet
Goggles
Beanie
Baseball Cap
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
Lunch and Snacks
Ski/Split Touring Gear
- Alpine Touring Ski or Splitboard Setup - No snowshoes
- Alpine Touring or Splitboard Boots
- Climbing Skins
- Touring Backpack - with pockets for avalanche gear
- Adjustable Touring Poles
- Avalanche Beacon
- Avalanche Shovel
- Avalanche Probe
Know Before you go
Price/Person
$625.00
Private Programs
Duration: 2.5 Days
View Full Itinerary
PRIVATE PROGRAMS
- Custom Scheduling: Choose your dates and plan around your availability.
- Tailored Experiences: Itineraries and objectives are adjusted to suit your goals, experience, and fitness.
- Cost-Effective for Most Large Groups: Private programs are typically more cost-effective for groups of 3 or more.
- Flexibility Comes at a Price: For groups of 1-2, private programs are generally more expensive.
- AIARE Courses: AIARE course pricing is based on a group of 6. Running these as a private program with fewer than 6 participants will increase the per-person cost.
SCHEDULED PROGRAMS
- Fixed Dates & Costs: Scheduled programs have set dates, itineraries, objectives, and pricing.
- Great for Solo or Small Groups: Ideal for individuals or small groups looking to share costs with others.
- Affordable for 1-2 People: Scheduled programs are typically less expensive for groups of 1-2.
- Less Flexibility: Dates fill quickly, and group programs require adapting to the skill level and pace of all participants
- Group Atmosphere: Meet others with similar interests and make some new backcountry buddies!
Note: Any scheduled program can also be run as a private program with customized dates and rates.
Both options offer exceptional guiding and experiences. Choose what works best for you!
Full Itinerary
Online Coursework (6 hours)
Immediately after signing up for Blackbird AIARE 1, you can begin learning. Take the Online Coursework whenever it makes sense for you. You’ll need roughly 6 hours to complete this portion of the course. This education is for your own development and understanding, so study hard and come up with some good questions for your instructor. The more knowledge you have before you arrive to the field, the more you and your fellow participants will get out of the course.
Please take notes and write down questions as you progress through the online coursework so that we can review them in the “Pre-Field Webinar.”
Pre-Field Webinar (2 hours)
Before the course, you’ll be invited to a “Pre-Field Webinar” where you avalanche instructor will tie the lessons of the online coursework together with some fun and helpful exercises. After that, there will be time available for questions.
Field Day 1: Avalanche Rescue and Field Observations
8:00 am Meet your guide and review the plan for the day. The guide will discuss the avalanche problem for the day, the proposed route up and options for the ascent and descent. The guide will conduct a Trailhead Departure Check/Beacon Check.
8:30 am Tour to a zone where we can make snowpack observations pertinent to the current avalanche problem, including a Snow Pit.
12:30 pm Tour to a zone that is appropriate for practicing small team avalanche rescue.
3:30 pm We will close the program at the trailhead with a quick review of the skills that we learned, a synopsis of the avalanche observations that we made and an overview of what to expect the following day in the field.
Field Day 2: Ski Tour with Avalanche Observations and Decision Making
8:00 am We’ll meet at the trailhead for our objective and students will lead us through the weather overnight and forecast for the day, the current avalanche advisory, our route plan and options, an emergency action plan and perform the trailhead beacon check.
Throughout the day we will practice the skills that we’ve learned throughout the program in real time to execute our tour in good style. We’ll practice gathering observations, prioritizing information and making decisions with our teams.
3:30 pm We’ll regroup at the trailhead to debrief the tour and discuss the lessons of the day. Then we will close out the program by providing some guidance on good choices for your next steps in avalanche education and ski touring progression.
The AIARE 1 Avalanche Course is essential for anyone venturing into the backcountry. Whether you're a skier, or snowboarder, understanding avalanche risks and how to mitigate them is crucial for your safety.
We'll cover the following detailed topics and skills:
- Mountain Snowpack
- Mountain Weather
- The Avalanche Problems
- Trip Planning
- Snow and Weather Observations
- How to Practice Small Team Avalanche Rescue
- Terrain Choice
- Human Factors and Assembling your Team
- Trailhead Departure Check
- Route Finding
- Track Setting
- Descent Choices
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between AIARE 1 and AIARE 1 + Rescue Avalanche courses?
-
AIARE 1 is a 24 hour program, typically with 8 of those hours devoted to classroom study, or in our case, an online curriculum. Of the remaining 16 hours, 8 are typically devoted to planning and executing a ski tour, 4 are for a snow pit, observations, terrain, decision making, etc (full list below), and 4 hours are for avalanche rescue practice.
Our AIARE 1 + Rescue adds a full day of field work, which not only provides more comprehensive rescue training, but it allows us to cover the rest of critical the AIARE 1 topics in much more depth than a regular AIARE 1 course since none of the 16 hours devoted to AIARE 1 time are used for rescue practice (there is a full day for this built in!).
While an AIARE 1 is a great start to your Avy Education, with an AIARE 1 + Rescue you'll walk away with vastly superior avalanche rescue skills and more firsthand knowledge of terrain, snowpack and observations. For more benefits of the AIARE 1 + Rescue course check our blog post: What's the difference between AIARE 1 and AIARE 1 + Rescue?
Explore our AIARE 1 + Rescue Course in Mammoth.
Why choose an AIARE 1 Avalanche course in Mammoth?
-
Mammoth is an ideal location for an AIARE 1 course due to its diverse terrain, deep snowpack, and dynamic weather conditions. With open bowls, steep chutes, and tree-lined glades, participants experience a range of real-world avalanche scenarios.
Mammoth’s reliable snowfall creates a layered snowpack, perfect for learning snow stability assessment and wind slab identification. The area’s high elevation and varied slope aspects provide valuable insights into how sun exposure and temperature changes impact avalanche risk. Combined with expert local guides, Mammoth offers a rich learning environment for backcountry avalanche education.
Why choose Blackbird Mountain Guides for your AIARE 1 course?:
-
Whether it's for our expert, AIARE-certified instructors, flexible online learning options, or practical, lift-accessed rescue training, there are many reason why students choose us. Our courses focus on real-world skills in varied terrain, making learning more efficient and applicable. Additionally, the combination of high-quality instruction and innovative course formats helps our students retain knowledge and stay prepared for real avalanche scenarios. This makes us a trusted choice for anyone serious about avalanche safety education.
For more info check out our blog post about what makes Blackbird's AIARE courses different.
This program requires at least 3 participants to run.
*Early season courses (Nov-Dec) are snowfall- and conditions-dependent. We will let students know 10-14 days ahead of their course date if there is a chance it will not run. If we are unable to run the course, students can reschedule to a later date at no cost. Keep in mind however, that courses fill up fast and we may not be able to reschedule you until later in the season!
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 6 Hour Online Course - can be completed any time prior to the pre-field webinar
- 2 Hour Pre-Field Zoom Webinar - 7:00-9:00pm the Wednesday before the field days
- Field Day 1 - 8:00am meetup with your guide at the trailhead, 3:30-4:00pm end time. Course venue will be determined after the pre-field webinar, based on weather and snow conditions
- Field Day 2 - 8:00am meetup with your guide at the trailhead, 3:30-4:00pm end time. Course venue will be determined after Field Day 1, based on weather and snow conditions
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- Advanced Resort Riding skills - Including off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions
- Basic Backcountry Touring Skills - Including familiarity with equipment and avalanche gear
- Basic Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 3-5 miles and climb 1,000-1,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
- Ski/Split Touring & Avalanche Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Here's what's included with your course:
- Experienced AMGA/AIARE Trained Guide
- Interactive Online Course with lifetime access
- Group safety gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
- Wag bags for human waste disposal - in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Ski/Splitboard Gear
- Avalanche Gear
- Guide Gratuities
Ski Touring and Avalanche Program Gear List(Download Here)
Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
Multiple Midlayer Options
Gloves
Helmet
Goggles
Beanie
Baseball Cap
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
Lunch and Snacks
Ski/Split Touring Gear
- Alpine Touring Ski or Splitboard Setup - No snowshoes
- Alpine Touring or Splitboard Boots
- Climbing Skins
- Touring Backpack - with pockets for avalanche gear
- Adjustable Touring Poles
- Avalanche Beacon
- Avalanche Shovel
- Avalanche Probe
Blackbird runs more courses and trains more students than any other AIARE Avalanche Education provider in North America.
Students from an AIARE 1 Avalanche course perform snowpack tests in the Truckee, Lake Tahoe area during their avalanche level 1 course.
A large persistent slab avalanche or wind slab avalanche in the Truckee Lake Tahoe area. Our AIARE avalanche course used this observation to note the existence of the persistent layer in the area.
A large wind slab avalanche in the Truckee Lake Tahoe area. Signs of recent avalanche activity are obvious signs of instability to anyone who has taken an AIARE avalanche course.
the blackbird difference
Innovative courses
Professional Guides
Positive Progression
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Got Questions?
We’re here to help. Our FAQs or Gear Lists might have the information you’re seeking. But If you’re not finding the information you need, we’d be happy to help!