AIARE 1: 2-Day Hybrid Course In North Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe AIARE 1 Hybrid Course

By removing the 8+ hours of in-person classroom learning and replacing it with online learning, we’re able to provide an itinerary that works well for a busy person. We also offer a 3-day in-person AIARE 1 course for those looking to spend more time learning with Tahoe avalanche instructors.

We’ve invested in creating our very own AIARE 1 online format with videos, quizzes, and interactive classwork with the intention of maintaining the same learning outcomes while completely eliminating the need to spend extended periods of time in a confined classroom. Not only does our new hybrid AIARE course offer customized coursework with better, more in-depth content, but you’ll still get two full days in the field with your instructors. We’re excited to unveil this new format as we lead the way in innovative mountain guiding techniques.

Who Can Participate In Our North Lake Tahoe AIARE 1 Hybrid Course

Skiers and riders joining this course must be advanced intermediate skiers/riders who have taken our Backcountry 1.0 course or have had 5-10 days in the backcountry.  Skiers and riders must be competent on and off-piste in a variety of conditions. This is comparable to skiing confidently on all blue runs and most black runs in the resort (including ungroomed terrain). This video will give a good example of intermediate to advanced skiers and riders.

Skiers/riders 16 years and over are able to join courses without accompaniment. Children 12-15 can join private bookings with a parent/guardian present.

AIARE 1 Hybrid Course Expectations

Students can expect to develop a good foundation on how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn avalanche rescue techniques.

This is a comprehensive, entry-level avalanche education course is designed for those with basic ski/snowboard touring experience. There are no other prerequisites. The price includes the AIARE field book.

North Lake Tahoe AIARE 1 Location

Operating in partnership with the Tahoe National Forest and the Truckee Donner Land Trust, our outdoor classroom contains some of the best terrain in the region to begin your avalanche education. Classroom work will be completed online before meeting for 2 field days in North Lake Tahoe. We also run this course in South Lake Tahoe – see here for details.

AIARE 1 Hybrid Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the AIARE 1 course the student should be able to:

Develop a plan for travel in avalanche terrain.
Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche terrain.
Effectively use the AIARE Risk Management Framework to make terrain choices in a group setting.
Demonstrate effective companion rescue.

Instructional Sessions (24 hours including both digital and field instruction)

1. Introduction to the Avalanche Phenomena

Types and characteristics of avalanches
Avalanche motion
Size classification
The mountain snowpack: an introduction to metamorphism and layering

2. Observations and Information Gathering

Field observation techniques
Snowpack tests: rutschblock, compression test, extended column test
Avalanche danger factors or “Red Flags”
Observation checklist
Avalanche danger scale

3. Trip Planning and Preparation

Avalanche terrain recognition, assessment, and selection
Route finding and travel techniques
Decision making and Human Factors

4. Companion Rescue and Equipment

Want more info? Check out this interview with  AIARE instructor Ben Weaver.

THE ALPENGLOW DIFFERENCE

As a Tahoe guiding company with countless expeditions to high-altitude peaks around the world over the last 15 years, we bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our beloved home mountains. Our teaching and guiding philosophy has been honed from the flanks of the Himalayan giants to the technical peaks of Peru, and we are beyond excited to be able to bring our program to this fantastic mountain. In addition to our international expedition roots, we are accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), being one of the very few guide services in the region to hold such a high standard. Each of our guides is trained by the AMGA in the terrain in which they operate, and the program is supervised by internationally licensed IFMGA mountain guides. This high standard, along with our many years of experience, translates to a fantastic mountain adventure!

Alpenglow Expeditions operates under special use permit with the Tahoe, Eldorado, Inyo, Humboldt-Toiyable and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.