Lift-Accessed AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course in Tahoe

Our unique Lift-Accessed Avalanche Rescue Course allows you to practice multiple scenarios searching from the top down to build awareness of terrain & learn how to effectively save a companion buried in an avalanche. Using lifts, you'll get more practice in more realistic terrain, with no time wasted on the approach.

**Prices will increase Oct 1, and Dec programs are filling up fast!
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

We'll cover the following topics and skills:

  • 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

Here's the schedule for your course:

  • 8:30 am - Meet your guide at the ski area (either Donner Ski Ranch or Tahoe Donner)

  • 9:00 am - Load the ski lifts and cover fundamental avalanche rescue skills

  • 10:30am -3:00pm - Instructor rescue demo and participant led scenarios with the opportunity to ski laps in between

  • 3:00-3:30 - Course ends

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
Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

The AIARE Rescue Course can be taken either before OR after the AIARE 1 Course

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)
  • AIARE Certification/Student Fees (a $20 value)
  • Group Safety Gear - Snow Science, First Aid Kits
  • Wag Bags - for human waste disposal, in compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
Not Included
  • Ski/Splitboard Gear
  • Avalanche Gear
  • Transportation
  • Meals
  • Winter Parking Passes
  • Guide Gratuities

Tahoe Backcountry Skiing Gear List


Know Before you go

SKILL LEVELTouring Experience
ELEVATION6,000’-9,000’
LocationTahoe

Price $345.00
Private Programs
Duration: 1 Day
View Full Itinerary
Private Programs

Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.

Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.

SCHEDULED PROGRAMS

Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.

Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.

PRIVATE PROGRAMS

Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.

Contact us
Full Itinerary

AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course Itinerary

8:30 am Meet your guide at Donner Ski Ranch

9:00 am Load the ski lifts and cover fundamental skills

10:30am -3:00pm Instructor rescue demo and participant led scenarios

3:00-3:30 Course close

We'll cover the following topics and skills:

  • 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

Here's the schedule for your course:

  • 8:30 am - Meet your guide at the ski area (either Donner Ski Ranch or Tahoe Donner)

  • 9:00 am - Load the ski lifts and cover fundamental avalanche rescue skills

  • 10:30am -3:00pm - Instructor rescue demo and participant led scenarios with the opportunity to ski laps in between

  • 3:00-3:30 - Course ends

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
Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

The AIARE Rescue Course can be taken either before OR after the AIARE 1 Course

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)
  • AIARE Certification/Student Fees (a $20 value)
  • Group Safety Gear - Snow Science, First Aid Kits
  • Wag Bags - for human waste disposal, in compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
Not Included
  • Ski/Splitboard Gear
  • Avalanche Gear
  • Transportation
  • Meals
  • Winter Parking Passes
  • Guide Gratuities

Tahoe Backcountry Skiing Gear List

Book Now
Participants:

Epic Reviews From Adventurers

21 reviews
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    The most incredible rescue course imaginable!

    We just had the most incredible rescue course imaginable. By incredible, I mean we learned how many mistakes we would make trying to rescue a friend's life if we didn't take this course. Blackbirds unique approach to using an actual ski mountain allows you to get multiple repetitions and practice in a much more realistic "angled" environment. It's a lot harder to go up hill if you miss the buried body! I highly recommend Zeb and all the guides that work for the reputable establishment.

    Tim B.
    Flag of United States
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    I truly feel so much more prepared and confident!

    I took the ARC Avalanche Rescue Course. Although I've spent a fair amount of time in the backcountry, I've never had to rescue anyone in an avalanche. The scenarios were realistic and challenging. I truly feel so much more prepared and confident should disaster strike. Highly recommend.

    Elizabeth M.
    Flag of United States
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Informative, friendly, and highly skilled!

    These folks are great- informative, friendly, and highly skilled. From the moment I registered for an AIARE 1 course to the days following completion of the course, my interest in avalanche education was treated with respect and enthusiasm. Our guide, Sarah N., was excellent in the field and the classroom, able to teach at all levels within our group's varying sets of knowledge and stoked to share her expertise in safe travel in the backcountry, snow science, mountain weather, and more. No matter your experience level with the backcountry (years of touring, books read, etc.), if you've never taken an AIARE course, then you'll get a lot out of this AIARE 1 course. I look forward to taking my next course with Blackbird soon!

    Jake B.
    Flag of United States
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Confidence-boosting, useful, and fun!

    Despite hundreds of days in the backcountry, our group hadn't practiced realistic avalanche rescue skills in many years. We took the Avalanche Rescue class with Blackbird and it was very confidence-boosting and useful, while at the same time fun! Realistic scenarios, great practical tips and demonstrations, and plenty of practice. Highly recommended! :)

    Peter V.
    Flag of United States
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