AIARE 1 Avalanche Course: Jackson, WY

Season Winter

Difficulty Easy - Moderate

Duration Pre-course Online Learning and Two Field Days

Overview

Join Jackson Hole Mountain Guides for your AIARE 1 Avalanche Course. This comprehensive course focuses on hazard evaluation, decision-making and companion rescue in avalanche terrain. Learn from our AMGA-trained and certified ski and splitboard guides. Discover techniques for evaluating hazard and managing risk when traveling through avalanche terrain. Mammut Avalanche Safety gear is available to demo during the course.

These courses are for downhill skiers and boarders. All participants must travel on touring skis or splitboard during the course and be comfortable riding black diamond terrain at the resort or ungroomed backcountry snow on slopes up to 30 degrees (blue square). If you are new to touring or looking to polish your skills before your AIARE 1, check out our Backcountry Essentials course.

All AIARE 1 courses at our Jackson Hole location utilize a hybrid learning model. You’ll receive access to an online learning module one week prior to course launch. 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.

Learning to negotiate the backcountry takes years of dedication and practice. We encourage all backcountry travelers to continue their avalanche education yearly. In addition to the AIARE 1, we also offer Avalanche Rescue and AIARE 2 courses as well as a number of camps and clinics that get you into the mountains!

Season Winter

Minimum Age 18

Trip Planner

Itinerary

Our AIARE 1 Avalanche courses take advantage of the amazing terrain in the Tetons to help jump start your touring career. We use a hybrid course model to maximize your time in the mountains. The course starts with an online learning module that you gain access to one week prior to course start. Two days before your course starts, you’ll meet with your instructor for an evening of virtual learning using video chat. The course will officially begin in the field where you’ll spend two full day tours traveling through the mountains practicing techniques for managing avalanche hazard.

 

CLICK HERE for a sample schedule.

 

 

AIARE Level I Avalanche Course: $635

The Mountain Guides does not provide transportation for its clients. Students 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 current availability and sign up for a course!

 

 

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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)

 

 

Grand Teton National Park is located roughly 30 minutes from our Jackson, WY headquarters. Our Jackson office is located in the south part of Jackson at 1325 S. Highway 89, Suite 104 and shares a parking area with Smith’s. Our phone number is (800) 239-7642 or (307) 733-4979. Most trips and classes will meet at this office for gear checks, preparation, and classes. The Jackson Hole airport is the closest, but Idaho Falls (a 2 – 2.5 hour drive) is a cheaper option and Salt Lake City (4 – 5 hour drive) are also air travel options. It is helpful to arrive a couple of days prior to your trip/class in order to acclimatize. Otherwise, you should arrive the day before and stop by our office for an equipment check. Do not plan on traveling the day after a significant climb – you will be tired and there are no guaranteed times when we will return to the trailhead. Plan on having accommodations for the night prior to and the night you return from a significant climb. There are a plethora of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts in Jackson and the surrounding area. Accommodations near our office make your transitions convenient. It is highly advisable to make reservations as early as possible. Lodging recommendations and many more details can be found in the downloadable document below.

 

VIEW PDF

Testimonials

  • 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
  • Very professional! Brian and Erica are wonderful guides, excellent instructors with a wealth of knowledge and most importantly, know how to facilitate growth of one’s mountain sense.

    — Clinton Culp

Community Partners

As the signature sponsor of our Avalanche Safety Courses, all students enrolled will be able to test and demo Mammut avalanche safety equipment during the course at no charge. In exchange, participants provide five photos of the gear in use it as well as a review of the gear OR a post on social media tagging @jhmtnguides and @mammutna.

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 800.239.7642

By Email Inquire Now

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