Description

Elevate your avalanche education and decision-making skills to the next level with our AIARE 2 Avalanche Course. Designed for individuals who have completed Avalanche Level 1 or equivalent coursework and are eager to delve deeper into the complexities of avalanche terrain, this course is your gateway to becoming a proficient backcountry traveler.

We have a new offering for 2025, which is a 4-day AIARE 2 Hut Trip to the Tundra Hut on Guanella Pass.

Building on the fundamentals learned in AIARE 1, this course takes a more in-depth approach to avalanche hazard assessment, snowpack analysis, and advanced rescue techniques. Over the course of 3 days, you will explore complex terrain and develop a comprehensive understanding of the decision-making process in challenging and diverse winter environments.

Led by our expert instructors with extensive field experience, this course combines classroom sessions with practical, real-world scenarios. You will learn about snow science, stability assessment, route planning, and group management, all of which are essential for safe backcountry exploration. Advanced topics such as professional-grade weather and snowpack analysis, leadership, and decision-making frameworks will also be covered.

In the AIARE 2 Avalanche Course, you’ll enhance your proficiency in avalanche transceiver use, refine your probing and shoveling techniques, and gain the skills necessary to lead a group in avalanche terrain. Successful completion of this course will not only make you a more informed and capable backcountry traveler but will also contribute to your personal safety and that of your fellow adventurers.

This course is ideal for those looking to expand their knowledge and expertise in avalanche safety and leadership. Join us for a challenging and immersive experience that will empower you to make sound decisions while exploring the winter wilderness. AIARE 2 is the next step in your journey toward mastering avalanche risk management and backcountry leadership.

Dates/Price
Course Dates Price Location Course Length Difficulty Rating
Course DatesJanuary 10-12, 2025 Price$729 LocationGolden, CO Course Length3 days Difficulty Rating5/10
Course DatesMarch 7-9, 2025 Price$729 LocationGolden, CO Course Length3 days Difficulty Rating5/10
Course DatesMarch 27-30 Price$1199 LocationGuanella Pass, Tundra Hut Course Length4 days Difficulty Rating6/10
Highlights
  • Learn from a pro! Our guides/instructors have undergone rigorous training and certification to be able to teach you
  • Hands-on experience in a fun and relaxed learning environment
  • Day 1 in the classroom, Day 2+3 in the field
  • Build on your skills from AIARE 1
  • Tons of practice!
Price Includes

Includes:

  • A professionally trained and/or certified AMGA guide or instructor
  • Professional guiding and instruction throughout the entire day
  • Resources to further your ski touring journey

Excludes:

  • Transportation. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from a designated meeting area
  • Gratuity
  • Personal items such as food, clothing, backpack, etc.
  • Entrance fees and parking fees (where necessary)
Topics Covered
  • Understanding seasonal snowpack history and its correlation with snowpack processes and avalanche conditions.
  • Analyzing weather patterns, identifying avalanche issues, and conducting stability assessments to create forecasts independently.
  • Recognizing the formation of persistent weak layers such as facets, depth hoar, and surface hoar.
  • Studying wet snow metamorphism and its impact on avalanche dynamics.
  • Identifying various features of avalanche terrain at both large and small scales.
  • Implementing effective group management strategies in challenging and complex terrain.
  • Conducting stability tests that encompass the strength, structure, and propagation potential of snow layers.
  • Introduction to SWAG documentation for avalanche assessment and management.
  • Planning tours with a focus on safety and risk mitigation in avalanche terrain.
  • Understanding human factor traps and exploring solutions to mitigate risks.
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