AIARE Level I

Mt Shasta, California - 3-Days

Course Overview

The AIARE Level 1 Avalanche course is the industry standard avalanche education every recreational winter backcountry user needs to complete. A hands-on and complete course that builds a foundation for skiers and snowboarders to learn the basics of how to evaluate avalanche terrain and make good decisions in the backcountry. This will be a three-day course split into online pre-course work and 2 full days in the Mt. Shasta backcountry. At the end of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Upon completion of this level one course you will have an understanding of:

  • Trip Planning and Preparation 

  • Characteristics of avalanches 

  • Types of avalanches, and danger scale

  • An introduction to snowpack metamorphism and layering 

  • Field observation techniques 

  • Stability tests

  • Terrain recognition, assessment and route finding

For lodging in the town of Mount Shasta before and after your trip we recommend our partners at Summit Lofts and LOGE Mt. Shasta. They offer a discount to our climbers and guests.

    • No backcountry experience is required.

    • Intermediate-Advanced skiing or boarding skills are required.

    • must be in good physical condition.

  • All dates are subject to route change in the event of adverse conditions.

    • February 15-16

  • $595 per person

    INCLUDES

    • Professional AIARE instruction and curriculum with a maximum instructor-to-student ratio of 1:6

The difference is in our Instructors

David Reichel, our Senior Avalanche Course Leader has over 20 years teaching and guiding in the backcountry. He is an industry professional and is the Executive Director of the Sierra Avalanche Center and founder of the California Avalanche Workshop. This will be a great opportunity to learn and practice the details of avalanche hazard assessment and mitigation with an experienced professional.