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!
AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course
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
The AIARE Rescue Course can be taken either before OR after the AIARE 1 Course
Here's what's included with your course:
- Lift Ticket
- Experienced AMGA/AIARE Trained Guide
- 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/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
$225.00
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.
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
The AIARE Rescue Course can be taken either before OR after the AIARE 1 Course
Here's what's included with your course:
- Lift Ticket
- Experienced AMGA/AIARE Trained Guide
- 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/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
Rescuers performing avalanche rescue and transceiver search during the Blackbird Lift Accessed AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course
Rescuers probing after a transceiver search during the Blackbird Lift Accessed AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course
Lift Accessed Avalanche Rescue Course Participants performing a mock avalanche rescue at donner ski ranch
Participants posing for a photo above Donner Lake during the Blackbird AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course at Donner Ski Ranch
Rescuers performing an avalanche rescue during the Blackbird Lift Accessed AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course at Donner Ski Ranch
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epic reviews from adventurers
View Reviews
Awesome Experience
Steve, California
“Taking this course with Zeb was the best decision! He was extremely friendly, relaxed and knowledgeable and answered all our questions with great patience.
An Exceptional Course
Ellen, New York
“I took an AIARE 1 with Blackbird and couldn't recommend it more. The knowledge gained was well-worth every penny, and then some."
Too Good For Words
Andrew, Washington
Just took the "lift-assisted" Avalanche Rescue course, and it was a fantastic opportunity to act out more realistic rescue scenarios. It was a great refresher and learning experience. Our instructor Evan was knowledgeable and a lot of fun. Highly recommended!
An Incredible Weekend!
Jenna, California
Completed AIARE 1 w/ Blackbird. Instructors were very knowledgeable, experienced, patient, attentive, and down-to-earth in relating to clients across a wide spectrum of ability. Highly recommended. Great group of people!
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