Level Up Your Backcountry Skills:
Why Alpenglow Expeditions’ AIARE Level 2 is a Must!

Alpenglow guide Daryl Teittinen giving two thumbs-up for our upcoming AIARE 2 course! Call the office at 877-873-5376 to learn more and get signed up!

Fresh Snow!
Our office staff is stoked watching Palisades fill up with powder, and we’re all scheming about where we might get some phenomenal backcountry turns as our stores slowly replenish after a long dry spell.

What Does the New Snow Mean for Avalanche Terrain Decision Making?

This new snow means we all need to double down on our terrain decisions and be extra diligent in checking the Sierra Avalanche Center forecast. If you’re new to backcountry skiing and are looking to skip the lift lines for some guaranteed first tracks, start with our Backcountry 1.0 and AIARE 1 courses, and then build from there.

Maybe you’ve already taken your AIARE 1 but want to further your education as you gain more backcountry experience. A great way to continue learning is with our one-day lift-accessed AIARE Rescue course. We’ve developed this course to run inbounds at Palisades, but we also have a backcountry option for AIARE Rescue as well! We also offer a one-day AIARE 1 refresher course, which sets you up well to continue building your knowledge. Once you’ve completed that and are ready to elevate your avalanche safety knowledge and decision-making skills—especially if you often lead backcountry groups, travel in complex terrain, or need to assess avalanche hazards in varied snowpack conditions—you should consider taking the AIARE 2 course.

Building on the foundation of the AIARE 1, the AIARE 2 dives deeper into snowpack stability analysis, group leadership in avalanche terrain, and navigating situations where local avalanche data may be limited.

Who is AIARE 2 Good For?

Traditionally, the AIARE 2 has been the entry-level professional course for ski guides, patrollers, and forecasters. Recently, it has been restructured to cater to advanced recreational users who want to enhance their decision-making abilities in more challenging avalanche terrain and scenarios.

Should I Take the AIARE 2 Course?

If you’re wondering whether the AIARE 2 course is right for you, here are a few key reasons to consider it:

Advanced Decision-Making:
Learn to interpret complex weather and snowpack data, identify specific avalanche risks in a landscape, and make informed terrain choices under challenging conditions.

Leadership Skills:
Develop the ability to lead a group through avalanche terrain, manage risk discussions, and ensure everyone is making safe decisions.

Improved Hazard Assessment:
Gain a thorough understanding of snowpack stability—what triggers avalanches and how to assess the critical stability layer.

Complex Terrain Navigation:
Practice navigating more technical terrain, particularly areas with limited avalanche information, or where the consequences of an avalanche could be severe.

When Can I Take My AIARE 2?

Our next AIARE 2 course is February 14-16th 2025. It’s important to note that to take the AIARE 2, you must have your AIARE 1 and AIARE Rescue certifications. If you haven’t taken the AIARE Rescue, but are interested in taking your AIARE 2 with us, fear not! We offer AIARE Rescue courses weekly. Taking this would then set you up for our March 14-16th AIARE 2 class. Feel free to stop by our office at Palisades or call us at 877-873-5376 for more information. See you out there!