Teen AIARE 1 Avalanche Course

Teen AIARE 1 Course Expectations

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

This is a comprehensive, entry-level avalanche course designed for teenagers with basic ski/snowboard touring experience. There are no other prerequisites. The price includes the AIARE field book. These items are often not included in the course price, but we don’t like any hidden costs.

Lake Tahoe Locations

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 child’s avalanche education. Classroom sessions that once took place at our headquarters in the beautiful Olympic Valley, California will now be held completely online.

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 guide 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 mountain”. 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.