AIARE 2 Avalanche Course: Rocky Mountain National Park

Location Colorado

Season Winter

Difficulty Moderate-Advanced

Duration Pre-course Online Learning and Two Field Days

Overview

With the most stunning terrain in North America, Rocky Mountain National Park offers a lifetime of opportunities to ski and snowboard. Learning to negotiate the backcountry takes years of practice. An AIARE 2 Avalanche Course with The Mountain Guides Colorado can jump start your learning. We designed our avalanche courses to give you tools to make real decisions in avalanche terrain.

 

Who Should Take this Course

The AIARE 2 is a Hybrid 1 evening online/2 field day course for those who have taken an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue and have had at least a year of backcountry travel experience. The AIARE 2 provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Differentiate where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape and identify avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe.
  • Use and interpret weather, snow, and avalanche observations to locate appropriate terrain prior to entering and while in the field.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills within a small team that include facilitating small group discussion, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies.
  • Implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absences of local supporting avalanche information.

Prerequisites

  • Participants must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain.
  • An AIARE 1 Course (strongly recommended) or equivalent Level 1 training is required.
  • A winter of practical experience after the Level 1 course is highly recommended before taking the AIARE 2 course.
  • AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course.

Season Winter

Trip Planner

Itinerary

All AIARE 2 courses at our Colorado branch utilize a hybrid learning model. The course starts as soon as you enroll with an online learning module. Then you’ll meet with your instructor via an evening video chat session two days before the course starts. If the field days start Saturday, you would meet with your instructor Thursday evening to review the online learning, discuss the current avalanche hazard forecast and plan the tours for the field days.

All participants must complete an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue prior to taking this course.

Day -1 – Virtual Classroom – Zoom-enabled Device Required

5:30 – 6:30 Introduction

6:30 – 7:30 Avalanche Problems

7:30 – 8:30 Season History

Day 2 – Meet at Field Venue

8:30 – 3:30 Targeted Observations, Avalanche Problems, Extended Column, Propagation Saw Test

3:30 – 4:30 Learning Debrief

Day 3 – Meet at Field Venue

8:30 – 3:30 Ride Safely (Tour)

3:30 – 4:00 Debrief

4:00 – 4:30 Course Close

AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Course: $695/person

The Mountain Guides does not provide transportation for its clients into the park. Clients will be responsible for paying the $35 vehicle fee at the park entrance unless they have a Golden Eagle Pass  or equivalent .

CLICK HERE to see available courses

 

Shop for this stuff 

UPPER LAYERS

BOTTOM LAYERS

HEAD AND HANDS

ACCESSORIES

SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY (Packages available for rent at Jackson location ONLY)

  • Boots: Alpine Touring, Telemark, or Snowboarding Boots
  • Skis or Splitboard with compatible binding for boots
  • Climbing Skins (fit to skis)
  • Ski Poles
  • Helmet (optional)

SNOW SAFETY EQUIPMENT (REQUIRED and available for rent at JHMG)

 

 

The Mountain Guides does not provide transportation for its clients into the park. Clients will be responsible for paying the $35 vehicle fee at the park entrance unless they have a Golden Eagle Pass  or equivalent .

TRAVACC ESTES PARK

VIEW PDF

Testimonials

  • Michael and Woody are true experts and exceptional teachers. They delivered the course content in an extremely engaging manner and made sure that the overall experience was fun and memorable. It always makes a noticeable difference when you can tell your teachers are well versed in their craft, have put an immense amount of work into making sure their course is both engaging and educational, and care about their students - Michael and Woody did all of those things to the utmost.

    Aaron Segura Landis

    — Aaron Segura Landis
  • Max Lurie was a great guide, and I’ve had lots of guides over the years. Laid-back but very competent and thoughtful. Never arrogant or condescending, he encouraged us to think things through and offered lots of tips and scenarios for decision making. Great guide.

    — Scott Greiner
  • My experience in the AIARE 1 class was fantastic. Michael and Woody were extremely professional and despite some weather issues causing the national park to close, they were able to improvise and still give us the best class possible.

    — Clay Hansen
  • JHMG knows there stuff! My instructors provided a wealth of knowledge for us to learn from and an awesome attitude that kept everyone stoked.

    — John Howland
  • Knowledgable instructors and in a setting that inspires.  I learned a lot during my course and look forward to putting my new knowledge to use exploring on snow in the Tetons and beyond.

    — Ben Weaver
  • Very professional! Excellent instructors with a wealth of knowledge and most importantly, they know how to facilitate growth of one’s mountain sense.

    — Clinton Culp

Community Partners

As the signature sponsor of our AIARE Level 1 and Level 2 courses, all students enrolled will be able to test and demo all Mammut safety equipment for the duration of their course for no charge. Students who elect to take advantage of this program will be expected to fill out a review of the equipment they demo.

Talk To Us

Here you’ll find online tools and information about joining us for a trip of a lifetime! To sign up for a trip, or if you have any questions, please call us. Listed on the left side of these pages are links that you may find useful, including printable forms and policies concerning a trip with TMG. We encourage ALL prospective climbers to read our Preparation advice. Our office can help place you with others who are looking to climb.

By Phone 970-233-3236

By Email Inquire Now

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