AIARE Avalanche 1

Ready to begin your avalanche education journey? This three-day course is the gold standard for anyone who wants to travel in or near avalanche terrain, and there’s no better place to learn than Bluebird Backcountry. You’ll learn to identify avalanche terrain, develop a plan for traveling in avalanche terrain, effectively use a risk-management framework to make decisions in the field, and learn and practice rescue techniques. For the 21/22 season, we’re offering both traditional in-person and hybrid course formats.

Who Should Take this Course:

If you’re familiar with backcountry travel but have yet to begin your formal avalanche education, then this is a great place to start! There are no pre-requisites to take the AIARE 1.

If you’re brand new to ski touring and the backcountry, we highly recommend adding on Bluebird’s Backcountry 1, 2, and 3 lessons. Our staff of professional educators will guide you through the basics of gear, etiquette, and traveling uphill. After obtaining this backcountry foundation, you’ll be able to spend your AIARE 1 course focused on important avalanche and rescue topics—and confidently keep up with the rest of the students in your course. Adding a Bluebird+ Membership ($250) includes all three backcountry lessons, community benefits, and takes 10% off your AIARE course cost.

Course Dates & Formats:

This season, we’re offering both traditional and hybrid courses. Hybrid courses include a mandatory remote classroom component, whereas traditional courses are held entirely in person at Bluebird. The same content is covered in both courses.

TRADITIONAL COURSES take place entirely in-person at Bluebird Backcountry:

  • Mon - Wed, January 17–19

  • Wed - Fri, February 2–4

  • Wed - Fri, February 16–18

  • Wed - Fri, March 16–18

  • Mon - Wed, March 21–23


HYBRID COURSES are ideal for weekend warriors who can commit to a virtual classroom portion, which is held virtually one evening in advance of your two weekend field days at Bluebird Backcountry. Please note that the virtual classroom portion is required.

Hybrid courses take place:

  • Sat - Sun, January 15–16 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, January 13)

  • Sat - Sun, January 29–30 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, January 27)

  • Sat - Sun, February 12–13 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, February 10)

  • Sat - Sun, February 19–20 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, February 17)

  • Sat - Sun, February 26–27 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, February 24)

  • Sat - Sun, March 5–6 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, March 3)

  • Sat - Sun, March 12–13 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, March 10)

  • Sat - Sun, March 19–20 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, March 17)

  • Sat - Sun, March 26–27 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, March 24)

*NEW!* Bluebird+ and Advanced+ Backcountry Memberships are available as an add-on with your AIARE course. Purchase your membership with your course and automatically receive 10% off your AIARE course cost, vouchers for additional backcountry courses, plus exclusive access to our virtual community and discounts on lessons and guided experiences.

Description

Who Should Take this Course:

If you’re familiar with backcountry travel but have yet to begin your formal avalanche education, then this is a great place to start! There are no pre-requisites to take the AIARE 1.

If you’re brand new to ski touring and the backcountry, we highly recommend adding on Bluebird’s Backcountry 1, 2, and 3 lessons. Our staff of professional educators will guide you through the basics of gear, etiquette, and traveling uphill. After obtaining this backcountry foundation, you’ll be able to spend your AIARE 1 course focused on important avalanche and rescue topics—and confidently keep up with the rest of the students in your course. Adding a Bluebird+ Membership ($250) includes all three backcountry lessons, community benefits, and takes 10% off your AIARE course cost.

Course Dates & Formats:

This season, we’re offering both traditional and hybrid courses. Hybrid courses include a mandatory remote classroom component, whereas traditional courses are held entirely in person at Bluebird. The same content is covered in both courses.

TRADITIONAL COURSES take place entirely in-person at Bluebird Backcountry:

  • Mon - Wed, January 17–19

  • Wed - Fri, February 2–4

  • Wed - Fri, February 16–18

  • Wed - Fri, March 16–18

  • Mon - Wed, March 21–23


HYBRID COURSES are ideal for weekend warriors who can commit to a virtual classroom portion, which is held virtually one evening in advance of your two weekend field days at Bluebird Backcountry. Please note that the virtual classroom portion is required.

Hybrid courses take place:

  • Sat - Sun, January 15–16 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, January 13)

  • Sat - Sun, January 29–30 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, January 27)

  • Sat - Sun, February 12–13 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, February 10)

  • Sat - Sun, February 19–20 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, February 17)

  • Sat - Sun, February 26–27 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, February 24)

  • Sat - Sun, March 5–6 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, March 3)

  • Sat - Sun, March 12–13 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, March 10)

  • Sat - Sun, March 19–20 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, March 17)

  • Sat - Sun, March 26–27 (plus Zoom classroom on Thurs, March 24)

*NEW!* Bluebird+ and Advanced+ Backcountry Memberships are available as an add-on with your AIARE course. Purchase your membership with your course and automatically receive 10% off your AIARE course cost, vouchers for additional backcountry courses, plus exclusive access to our virtual community and discounts on lessons and guided experiences.

Picture of AIARE Avalanche 1
AIARE Avalanche 1
Book your AIARE 1 course at Bluebird Backcountry! Looking for a more comprehensive education experience this winter? Check out our Backcountry Membership options below.
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Select date of your event
$575.00
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Picture of AIARE Avalanche 1 with Advanced+ Membership
AIARE Avalanche 1 with Advanced+ Membership
AIARE 1 gives you the framework to make informed decisions in the backcountry, and Advanced+ Backcountry Membership will help you apply that knowledge to have the best winter ever in 21/22. Advanced+ Membership saves you $58 on your AIARE course and gets you two vouchers for advanced backcountry courses such as navigation, steep terrain, winter wilderness first aid, and more (choose dates later). You’ll also get access to our digital community platform as well as free access to half-day clinics all season long.
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Select date of your event
$767.00
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Picture of AIARE Avalanche 1 with Bluebird+ Membership
AIARE Avalanche 1 with Bluebird+ Membership
New to backcountry? Get the most out of your AIARE 1 course by adding a Bluebird+ membership. Includes vouchers for all three Backcountry 1, 2, and 3 lessons in advance of your course (choose dates later) which will get you using your gear, skinning, and transitioning like a pro, as well as navigating variable terrain—all skills you’ll need in your AIARE course. Membership also automatically saves you $58 on your AIARE course, provides access to our digital community and partner finder, and scores you free access to half-day clinics all season long.
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Select date of your event
$767.00
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