Stepping into the professional track of the AIARE/A3 PRO 1 course can feel daunting—especially if you’re unsure what to expect. Our PRO 1 Prep Course is specifically designed to help you walk into your course with confidence, clarity, and a solid foundation in the key skills and knowledge areas you’ll be assessed on.

This field-based course focuses on the essential elements you’ll be evaluated on during your PRO 1, with an emphasis on efficient rescue, snowpack observation, and documentation. You’ll receive hands-on instruction in proper pit techniques and gain valuable insight into what makes a complete and professional-level snow profile. From choosing an appropriate profile site to identifying layers, classifying grains, and documenting hardness, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of what instructors are looking for.

This course offers timed rescue drills to help ensure you meet or exceed the PRO 1 rescue assessment benchmarks. Throughout the course, there’s time built in for Q&A, mentorship, and discussion about course expectations, field performance, and career progression in avalanche education. You’ll also practice filling out AM and PM observation forms—key components of daily workflow in a PRO 1 course. Our instructors will walk you through each section, provide real-world context, and offer personalized feedback to help you refine your documentation.

Take the guesswork out of PRO 1. Learn the expectations, sharpen your skills, and take the first step into professional avalanche education with support from experienced instructors who’ve been there.