AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Courses
Silverton, Red Mountain Pass, and the San Juan Mountains, CO!
Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain
KMG is education heavy and this attribute shines in our AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Courses. Our education heavy philosophy is why more colleges in the San Juans choose to work with KMG than any other guide service around! Don't just get dragged through your avalanche course. Let our AIARE trained and qualified instructors give you a complete, hands-on introduction to the avalanche phenomenon.
Our Level One is a 3 day/ 24 hour introduction to avalanche hazard management. Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn companion rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person.
These courses are educational based. They are not how-to-ski courses, nor are they guided trips. If you are looking to get dragged around in the backcountry on a guided trip, look elsewhere. If you are looking to; drastically expand your knowledge of snow science and the avalanche phenomenon, challenge what you already know, and have an amazing time in the process, then take a KMG AIARE avalanche course!
All avalanche courses are not equal!!
Experience the KMG difference for yourself! Our unique schedule provides for the maximum amount of field time with the minimum amount of travel time. At course close, we include a knowledge quiz to test student comprehension of the covered material. Students are encouraged and counseled on how to apply the skills learned. A link is made to a future AIARE Level 2 course.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Level One course the student should be able to:
- Plan and prepare for travel in avalanche terrain.
- Recognize avalanche terrain.
- Describe a basic framework for making decisions in avalanche terrain.
- Learn and apply effective companion rescue.
- Focus on identifying the right questions, rather than on providing "answers."
- Give lessons and exercises that are practically oriented, useful, and applicable in the field.
Instructional Sessions
(24 hours including both classroom 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
- Bonding tests: rutschblock, compression test,
- Avalanche danger factors; “Red Flags”.
- Observation checklist
- Avalanche danger scale
- Trip Planning and Preparation
- Avalanche terrain recognition, assessment, and selection
- Route finding and travel techniques
- Decision making and Human Factors
- Companion Rescue and Equipment
Price Includes
- AIARE Trained and Qualified instructors. Has your avalanche instructor gone through industry standard advanced level training? Ours have!
- AMGA trainied ski guides. Does your avalanche instructor have any training outside of the avalnache industry? Ours do!
- AIARE Level 1 Course Manual
- AIARE Avalanche field book. AIARE Course providers are required to provide you with this book. Is your course provider charging you extra for this book? $25 value
- AIARE Level 1 Certificate
- Transportation from Durango CO to the trailhead. Does you avalanche course provider make you drive yourself?
- Use of Backcountry Access avalanche equipment; DTS Tracker beacon, traverse shovel, Spot 203 probe. We encourage you to shop around! Does your guide service of choice charge extra for required equipment?
Price Does Not Include
- Travel to Durango, CO from your location
- Backcountry ski touring equipment; skis, skins, packs etc. These are all available to rent from our partner shop Backcountry Experience. Additional fees apply for ski equipment rental. Please inquire for more information.
- 3% federal land use fee
- Items of personal nature
- Individual travel costs, delays, and excess baggage fees
- Personal clothing and ski equipment
- Alcoholic drinks and personal snacks
- Hotels before and after trip
- Recommended Travel/trip cancelation insurance. We highly recomend this!
- Guide/Staff gratuity
Prerequisites:
- Skiers should be in good physical condition. They will need a backcountry travel method (touring skis, split board, snowshoes).
- There are a lifetime of ski tours with different difficulties in the San Juan Mountains. Please get in touch with us to find out if this course is right for you. If need be, we would like to ski with you prior to course to help ensure that you are up to the challenge.
- If you do not possess these skills or need review, we recommend doing a skills course with us in Colorado or Utah prior to your course.
Registration:
- To secure your spot on this trip you will need to fill out our domestic registration packets. A 50% deposit is required to secure your spot. Final payment is due on the first day of the course.
