Overview

Baker Mountain Guides AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course is designed to provide our students with a foundational understanding of avalanches, observational and decision-making techniques, avalanche terrain assessment, and companion rescue. Along with learning the science and theory behind the avalanche phenomenon, students will be challenged to apply their new skills in the backcountry.

Baker Mountain Guides has customized the AIARE curriculum to provide practical field skills for the Pacific Northwest. Our instructors are passionate backcountry skiers and snowboarders who believe that avalanche education saves lives. These values are reflected in the quality of our AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course.


Itinerary

Baker Mountain Guides offers scheduled AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Courses with both online and in-person classroom sessions. Field sessions are in the Mount Baker Backcountry. 


  • Optional: Intro to Backcountry Skiing Course

    Students new to AT skiing and splitboarding are highly encouraged to participate in an Intro to Backcountry Skiing Course the day before their AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course. The Intro to Backcountry Course sets you up for success via experience with the fundamentals of backcountry travel.


  • Day 1: Fundamentals

    The course will begin with 8 hours of lecture. Classroom sessions may be online or in-person. Our engaging online lectures are split into two sessions, from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Curriculum includes case studies, avalanche and snowpack fundamentals, hazard assessment, and decision making.


  • Day 2: Companion Rescue and Field Observations

    Plan on a full day in the field. In the morning, we’ll cover avalanche beacons and companion rescue. Students will have the opportunity to run several practice drills. In the afternoon, we’ll dig snow pits, and introduce standardized weather and snowpack observations.


  • Day 3: Backcountry Tour and Decision Making

    Students will complete a pre-trip hazard assessment and plan a tour. Our final day will be spent skiing and snowboarding the backcountry. Students will work together to choose appropriate terrain for the current avalanche conditions under the mentorship of an instructor.


Interested in this course?

Northwest Avalanche School

The Northwest Avalanche School is the natural evolution of Baker Mountain Guides' avalanche education program and reflects our commitment to developing the best avalanche instructors, and therefore the best avalanche instruction in the Pacific Northwest. Baker Mountain Guides' AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course is now branded as a Northwest Avalanche School program.

OUR STORY


Program Information

  • Season
  • December - March


  • Duration
  • 3 Days / 24 Hours


  • Locations
  • Mount Baker Backcountry


  • Max Ratio
  • 6 Students to 1 Instructor


  • Equipment

  • Schedule
  • 2023 - 2024 Winter Season


    Online Classroom Courses


    *Please select 1st field day when booking online

    • Evening Class: Nov 29 & 30 - Field: Dec 2 – 3 (FULL)
    • Evening Class: Dec 6 & 7 - Field: Dec 9 – 10 (FULL)
    • Evening Class: Dec 13 & 14 - Field: Dec 16 – 17 (FULL)
    • Evening Class: Dec 18 & 19 - Field: Dec 21 – 22 (FULL)
    • Evening Class: Jan 3 & 4 - Field: Jan 6 – 7 (FULL)
    • Evening Class: Jan 24 & 25 - Field: Jan 27 – 28 (FULL)
    • Evening Class: Jan 31 & Feb 1 - Field: Feb 3 – 4 (FULL)
    • Evening Class: Feb 7 & 8 - Field: Feb 10 – 11 (FULL)
    • Evening Class: Feb 14 & 15 - Field: Feb 17 – 18 (FULL)
    • Evening Class: Feb 21 & 22 - Field: Feb 24 – 25 (FULL)
    • Evening Class: Feb 28 & 29 - Field: March 2 – 3 (FULL)

    In-Person Classroom Courses


    *Please select 1st day when booking online

    • Jan 13 - 15 (FULL)

    New to the Backcountry?


    Prepare for your AIARE Level 1 with an:

     

    Intro to Backcountry Skiing Course


  • Cost
  • $575 / Person

     

    Cost Includes

    • AIARE Level 1 Student Manual
    • AIARE Field Book
    • Backcountry Ski Map