Gain essential backcountry safety skills with our AIARE 1 + Rescue Avalanche Course in Lake Tahoe. This 3-day course follows the curriculum set by the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and is designed for skiers and splitboarders who want to travel safely in avalanche terrain. Taught by AIARE-Certified instructors, the course also includes a full Avalanche Rescue training component—so you walk away with both AIARE Level 1 and AIARE Rescue certifications.

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.

During your AIARE 1 + Rescue course, we'll cover the following topics and skills:

AIARE 1 Course Curriculum

• Mountain Snowpack
• Mountain Weather
• The Avalanche Problems
• Trip Planning
• Snow and Weather Observations
• Terrain Choice
• Human Factors and Assembling your Team
• Trailhead Departure Check
• Route Finding
• Track Setting
• Descent Choices

• What to do if you're caught in an avalanche
• What to do if your partner is caught in an avalanche
• How to use your beacon, shovel and probe
• Rescue equipment technology
• Rescue techniques for companion and small team rescue
• How terrain affects an avalanche rescue and how to use terrain to your advantage
• Visual search, transceiver search and spot probing
• Strategies for using your gear effectively

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. Of the remaining 16 hours, eight is typically devoted to planning and executing a ski tour and 4 hours 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 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 normal 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!).

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?

Why choose an AIARE 1 + Rescue avalanche course in Tahoe?

Tahoe is an ideal location for the AIARE 1 + Rescue course due to its diverse terrain, deep snowpack, and dynamic weather conditions. The area’s steep bowls, couloirs, tree-lined slopes, and open meadows provide real-world scenarios for assessing avalanche risks.

Tahoe's consistent snowfall creates a layered snowpack, allowing students to practice stability tests and rescue techniques in varied conditions, from fresh powder to wind slabs. Its rapidly changing weather offers hands-on experience in reading avalanche forecasts and adapting to evolving conditions. Accessible from the Bay Area and major cities, including Sacramento and Reno, Tahoe combines convenience with an immersive backcountry learning environment, supported by a strong local avalanche community and top-tier guides.

What is a lift-accessed Avalanche Rescue course and what are the benefits vs. a regular Avalanche Rescue course?

A lift-accessed avalanche rescue course is designed to maximize practice and learning by using ski resort lifts for quick access to realistic avalanche terrain. This approach allows participants to focus on essential skills such as transceiver searches, team rescue coordination, and descending while searching, without the time-consuming transitions of backcountry courses. The ease of access ensures more rescue scenarios are covered, improving proficiency in life-saving techniques. Additionally, the varied terrain and safe environment of ski resorts enhance the learning experience.

For more info, check out our blog post on the advantages of a lift-accessed rescue course

Why choose Blackbird Mountain Guides for your AIARE 1 + Rescue 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.

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 at the end of your Field Day 1. Your logistics email the week of your course will confirm the day, time and Zoom link


• Field Day 1 - AIARE Rescue - 8:00am meetup with your guide at the ski area (either Donner Ski Ranch or Tahoe Donner), 3:00-3:30pm end time.


• Field Day 2 - AIARE 1 - 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


• Field Day 3 - AIARE 1 - 8:00am meetup with your guide at the trailhead, 3:30-4:00pm end time. Course venue will be determined after Field Day 2, 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
• Tahoe or Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Permit
• Lift Ticket (a $50 value)
• Interactive Online Course with lifetime access
• AIARE Field Book (a $30 value)
• AIARE Certification/Student Fees (a $35 value)
• Group Safety Gear - Snow Science, First Aid Kits
• Wag Bags - for human waste disposal, in compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles

• Ski/Splitboard Gear
• Avalanche Gear
• Transportation
• Meals
• Winter Parking Passes
• Guide Gratuities

Tahoe Backcountry Skiing Gear List

• Avalanche Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird


• Ski/Split Touring Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Tahoe Sports Hub - use code BLACKBIRD10 for 10% off at checkout.