AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Courses
Silverton, Red Mountain Pass, and the San Juan Mountains, CO!
Analyzing Snow Stability and Avalanche Terrain
KMG is education heavy and this attribute shines in our AIARE Level 2 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 help you build on your Level 1 knowledge!
Our Level 2 course is a 40-hour / four day program that provides back country leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills. This course also includes the introductory and prerequisite components for the professional progression: the AIARE Level 3 Certificate. The Level 2 builds from the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the level one and adds to it the evaluation of factors critical to stability evaluation.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Advance understanding of avalanche terrain, particularly from the perspective of stability analysis.
- Discuss how the snowpack develops and metamorphoses over time; and discuss the factors that contribute to spatial variability.
- Learn standard observation guidelines and recording formats for factors that influence or indicate snow stability. SWAG MODULE.
- Advance understanding of avalanche release and triggering mechanisms.
- Introduce a snow stability analysis and forecasting framework.
- Improve companion rescue skills including multiple and deep burials.
Instructional Sessions
(40 hours including classroom and field instruction)
- Level 1 Review
- Energy balance, the mountain snowpack and metamorphism
- Faceting; near surface and near crust faceting
- Formation of surface hoar and persistent weak layers
- Skier triggering: theory and observations
- International and national, snow weather and avalanche observation and recording guidelines (SWAG).
- Weather; interpreting forecasts, recording and observation techniques
- Snow profile techniques and bonding tests
- Avalanche observations and recoding techniques
7. Stability analysis checklist: reviewing critical factors
- Stability ratings
- Daily stability forecasts and analysis
8. Trip Planning and hazard forecasting for avalanche terrain
- Avalanche danger ratings
- Terrain selection using maps/photos
- Forecasting stability and variability
9. Terrain selection and route finding
- Group management and hazard management
- Decision making
- Human factors
10. Information gathering
- Site selection and relevancy
- Spacial variability
- Slope tests
11. Companion Rescue
- Level 1 techniques review
- Multiple burial
- Shovel techniques
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 2 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
- Snow Weather and Avalanche Guidelines (SWAG) Manual. This is required for Level 2 AIARE courses. Does your course provider of choice charge extra for this? We include it! $20 value
- AIARE Level 2 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
- Guide/Staff gratuity
Prerequisites:
- Skiers should be in good physical condition. They will need a backcountry travel method (touring skis, split board, snowshoes). A Level 1 course certificate is required for this course.
- 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.
