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  • Lead guide and Founder of Guided Exposure shows a group of AIARE 1 students snow grains on a crystal card, during a snow pit lesson in the Mount Baker Backcountry.
  • AIARE 1 students get feedback on their snow profile from the Lead Guide at Guided Exposure. Mount Shuksan stand tall in the background on a stunning day in the Mount Baker Backcountry.
  • AIARE 1 participants make snowpack observations and identify layers in the snowpack.
  • AIARE 1 students practice digging while performing an avalanche rescue.
  • Splitboarders get a feeling for people while using avalanche probes at a SPlitboard AIARE 1 course at Mount Baker.
  • AIARE 1 students get experience traveling through terrain in the Mount Baker Backcountry.
  • Snowboarding in the Mount Baler backcountry is a beautiful experience. A snowboarder rides in the sunshine with Mount Baker in the background.
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AIARE 1

Regular price
$19.99 USD
Regular price
Sale price
$19.99 USD

Now Offering AIARE 1 Courses at Snoqualmie Pass! Online Course plus 2 Field Days

The AIARE 1 is for ANYONE, regardless of method of travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. Our AIARE 1 surpasses national standards by providing 3 full days of in person instruction at our classroom in Glacier Washington with 3 field days in the mountains at Mount Baker. Our AIARE courses also include self paced online learning modules provided by the award winning American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) with a 2 hour review with our pro AIARE Instructors. That's up to 25% more time in the North Cascade Mountains with professional mentorship than almost every course out there. That means less time sitting inside suffering from power point fatigue talking about it and more time out there doing it!  

 

Students can expect an introduction to avalanche hazard management, to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).

 

Why Choose Our Course?

  • Expert Instruction: Learn from our professional AIARE instructors who bring extensive backcountry ski experience and in depth personal local knowledge.
  • Comprehensive Curriculum: Benefit from a well-rounded program that combines online learning with 3 days of hands-on field time.
  • Indoor Classroom Location: Our classroom in Glacier Washington is a short 30 min drive from Mount Baker and provides indoor information gathering.
  • 3 Full Field Days at Mount Baker: Enjoy up to 25% more field time than typical courses, allowing for deeper understanding and skill application.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Experience

Gain the skills you need to explore avalanche terrain safely and confidently. Register now for our AIARE 1 Avalanche Course and take the first step towards becoming a knowledgeable and competent backcountry traveler.

Learning Outcomes

  • Travel Planning: Develop a comprehensive plan for safe travel and avoid avalanche terrain.

  • Terrain Identification: Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche-prone areas.

  • Risk Management: Utilize the AIARE Risk Management Framework to make informed terrain choices within a group.

  • Companion Rescue: Execute effective companion rescue techniques.

 

Itinerary

Day 0: Self-Guided Online Learning with a 2-hour virtual check-in.

Day 1: In-person classroom session in Glacier & Field Day at Heather Meadows

Day 2: Brief in-person classroom session in Glacier & Field Day at Heather Meadows

Day 3: Brief in-person classroom session in Glacier & Field Day at Heather Meadows

Join us for an unforgettable experience and gain the skills you need to explore avalanche terrain safely. Register now and take the first step towards becoming a knowledgeable and confident backcountry traveler.

Our custom crafted AIARE course provides several online learning resources for self paced work leading up to our in person sessions. We will have a 2 hour virtual session in the week before our course. Our specially crafted courses give you 25% more field time with our pro instructors in the North Cascade Mountains in Washington.

 

Gear List

Clothing

Base Layer

Men’s

Women’s

Thermal Bottom

O.R. Alpine Onset Bottoms

O.R. Alpine Onset Bottoms

Thermal Top

O.R. Alpine Onset Crew

O.R. Onset Crew

Ski Socks

 

 

Mid Layer

Men’s

Women’s

Soft Shell

O.R. Ferrosi Hooded Jacket

O.R. Ferrosi Hooded Jacket

       or

or

or

Fleece Jacket

O.R. Vigor Fleece Hoodie

O.R. Vigor Hooded Jacket

Outerwear

Men’s

Women’s

Lightweight Waterproof Jacket

O.R. Skyward II Jacket

O.R. Skyward II Jacket

Lightweight Waterproof Pants

O.R. Skyward II Pants

O.R. Skyward II Pants

 

 

Warm Hat, Beanie

O.R. Beanie

O.R. Beanie

Sun Hat, Ball Cap, Visor

O.R. Swift Cap

O.R. Swift Cap

Lightweight Gloves

O.R. Extravert Gloves

O.R. Stormtracker Gloves

Ski Gloves

O.R. Arete Glove

O.R. Arete Gloves

Insulation

Men’s

Women’s

Down

O.R. Transcendent Down Jacket

O.R. Transcendent Down Jacket

    or

or

or

Synthetic Jacket

O.R. Refuge Hooded

O.R. Refuge Hooded

Personal Gear

Day Pack 25-40L

Mammut Pro X 35L

Mammut Pro X 35L

Water Bottles

2 1L Wide Mouth or Hydration system

Lunch and Snacks

 

 

Sunglasses

Adequate for Snow Travel

Goggles w/ Spare Lens

Or 2nd pair of goggles

Low Light and Sunny Lens

Sunscreen

SPF 25+

Lip Balm

SPF 15+

Buff

O.R. Echo Ubertube

O.R. Echo Ubertube

   or

or

Balaclava

O.R. Option Balaclava

O.R. Option Balaclava

Headlamp

 

 

Ski or Snowboard Gear

Skis or Splitboard

Weston Backcountry Splits and Skis

Ski Boots

 

Ski Poles

Black Diamond 3 Piece Poles (140cm)

Climbing Skins

Touring Skins

Avalanche Safety Gear

Transceiver/ Beacon

Black Diamond Powder BT

Shovel

Transfer 3

Probe

Quickdraw 280cm

Ski pole probes are not acceptable

Optional Items

We highly recommend these but do not require them to participate.

Airbag Packs

 

Snow Saw

Primomo Snow Saws

Basic Snow study Kit

BCA Snow Study Kit

Notebook and writing utensil

Rite in the Rain 374 and Pencil

Winter Snow Boots- Parking Lot

Sorel Style Boots

Thermos

Vacuum Style for Hot Tea or Cocoa

Compass

Adjustable Declination

Altimeter

Suunto Watch

Map Case or Goggle Protection

Zip Loc

Maps

Caltopo or GAIA

  

 

Cancellation Policy

It is your responsibility to be familiar with our Payment, Cancellation, and Rescheduling Policies. When you book a trip with Guided Exposure, you are agreeing to our policies outlined here:

guidedexposure.com/pages/cancellation-policy