AIARE REC 1 Course


Course description 

The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) is a 3-day, 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazards. With a mix of both classroom and field time, the focus of the course is to learn how to recognize hazards, how to manage and minimize them and finally how to respond in case of an emergency.

Course Objectives 

Students will come away from the course having learned:
  • How to prepare and plan for a backcountry tour 
  • How to analyze an avalanche forecast 
  • How to identify avalanche terrain & avalanche types 
  • How to recognize hazardous conditions 
  • Basic snow pack understanding 
  • Route selection and terrain features 
  • Snowpack tests  and interpretation 
  • Educated decision making 
  • Basic rescue techniques 
  • Group management 

Course details 

  • Inclusions: AIARE Level 1 Course Manual, AIARE Field Book, AIARE Level 1 certificate upon successful completion of course. 
  • Exclusions: Lodging, food, avalanche safety gear, backcountry touring gear.*
  • A detailed equipment list will be provided upon course registration. 
  • Suggested Reading: Snow Sense: A Guide to Evaluating Snow Avalanche Hazard, by Fredston & Fesler 
  • After successful completion of the AIARE Level 1 Rec Course students can further their education with AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course and AIARE Level 2 Rec Course. 
*Avalanche safety gear and backcountry touring set-ups and be rented for an additional fee.


INTRODUCING OUR NEW CAT SKIING COURSE: 

For the first time ever Irwin Guides is offering an AIARE Levels 1 & 2 course that include a cat bump to explore our private terrain. 

Most of our runs begin on Scarp Ridge which offers panoramic views of the Elk Mountains with peaks towering over 13-14,000 feet. Although Irwin is only 10 miles from the town of Crested Butte, Colorado, it receives three times more snow than the town itself. At an average of 600 inches per year, Irwin is considered a powder mecca. 

Plenty of Terrain for advanced skiers and thrill-seekers, we have extensive challenging terrain varying from open alpine bowls, steep narrow chutes and couloirs, and tight tree skiing. We also have many cliffs and rock bands that offer the chance to catch anywhere between 5-40 feet of air. Our terrain offers the unique opportunity for powder skiing on slopes of 30 and 40 degrees.  

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course overview 

PACKING LIST
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR 
RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST.
PRE-REQUISITES 
Participants should have some previous 
experience backcountry skiing/riding and be 
familiar with how to use their touring gear.

*You must be at least 16 years old to participate.

2019/2020 Dates


Crested Butte BASED:

November 
22nd-24th
December 
6th-8th, 26th-28th, 29th-31st
January 
3rd-5th, 24th-26th
February
21st-23rd
March 
6th-8th, 13th-15th, 27th-29th

MONARCH PASS BASED: Monarch Mtn Lodge 
January 
3rd - 5th 
January 
31st - February 2nd 
February 
14th-16th 


FRONT RANGE BASED: 


BRAND NEW THIS SEASON!

Week Day Classroom Sessions held in Denver, Colorado with In Field Work on the weekend in Crested Butte, CO!

BentGate Mountaineering + Crested Butte 

December  17th and 19th -Classroom Sessions
5:30-8:00pm at BentGate Mountaineering  
December 21st-22nd  -In Field Work 

January 14th and 16th -Classroom Sessions
5:30-8:00pm at BentGate Mountaineering 
January 18th-19th -In Field Work  

ConFluence Kayak + Crested Bute 


November 25th and 26th -Classroom Sessions 
5:30-8:00pm at ConFluence Kayak
November 30th- Dec 1st -In Field Work  


She Jumps:

January 18th-20th 

LAKE CITY - SNOWMOBILE:
January 17th-19th 

TAYLOR PARK - SNOWMOBILE:
January 24th- 26th 


Additional avalanche education available after course dates:

Pricing 

$425 per person - Crested Butte, Monarch, & Front Range Based Courses 
$450 per person - Snowmobile Courses 
$550 per person - Irwin Cat Operation Level 1 Course

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Ratio 

6:1
Max 12 students, 2 instructors

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