Overview

Baker Mountain Guides AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course is designed to provide our students with a foundational understanding of avalanches, observational and decision-making techniques, avalanche terrain assessment, and companion rescue. Along with learning the science and theory behind the avalanche phenomenon, students will be challenged to apply their new skills in the backcountry.

Baker Mountain Guides has customized the AIARE curriculum to provide practical field skills for the Pacific Northwest. Our instructors are passionate backcountry skiers and snowboarders who believe that avalanche education saves lives. These values are reflected in the quality of our AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course.

Questions? Speak with an instructor  

Itinerary

Baker Mountain Guides offers a 24-hour, hybrid AIARE Level 1 with both online learning and field sessions.

  • Pre-Course: Online Learning

    Two weeks in advance students will receive an email with instructions on how to access AIARE's Level 1 Online Learning curriculum. The online learning curriculum takes approximately 5 hours and must be completed before students may attend the pre-course zoom class.

  • Pre-Course: Zoom Class

    The course will meet from 6:00 - 9:00 PM on Zoom the Thursday before weekend field sessions. Your instructor will provide a brief review of online learning concepts, facilitate group learning activities, and prepare students for the field sessions.

  • Optional: Intro to Backcountry Skiing Course

    Students new to AT skiing and splitboarding are encouraged to participate in the Intro to Backcountry Skiing Course the day before their AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course field sessions. Understanding the fundamentals of backcountry travel sets you up for success on your AIARE Level 1.

  • Day 1: Companion Rescue and Field Observations

    Plan on a full day in the field. In the morning, we’ll cover avalanche beacons and companion rescue. Students will have the opportunity to run several practice drills. In the afternoon, we’ll dig snow pits, and introduce standardized weather and snowpack observations.

  • Day 2: Backcountry Tour and Decision Making

    Students will complete a pre-trip hazard assessment and plan a tour. Our final day will be spent skiing and snowboarding the backcountry. Students will work together to choose appropriate terrain for the current avalanche conditions under the mentorship of an instructor.

Interested in this course?

Schedule and Booking Portal Below

Northwest Avalanche School

The Northwest Avalanche School is the natural evolution of Baker Mountain Guides' avalanche education program and reflects our commitment to developing the best avalanche instructors, and therefore the best avalanche instruction in the Pacific Northwest. Baker Mountain Guides' AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course is now branded as a Northwest Avalanche School program.

OUR STORY

Program Information

  • Season

  • December - March

  • Duration

  • 3 Days / 24 Hours

  • Locations

  • Mount Baker Backcountry

  • Max Ratio

  • 6 Students to 1 Instructor

  • Equipment

  • Download Equipment List

     

    Rental Equipment

  • Schedule

  • 2024 - 2025 Winter Season


    *Please select 1st field day when booking online

    • Zoom Class: Dec 5 - Field: Dec 7 – 8
    • Zoom Class: Dec 12 - Field: Dec 14 – 15
    • Zoom Class: Dec 19 - Field: Dec 21 – 22
    • Zoom Class: Jan 2 - Field: Jan 4 – 5
    • Zoom Class: Jan 9 - Field: Jan 11 – 12
    • Zoom Class: Jan 16 - Field: Jan 19 – 20
    • Zoom Class: Jan 23 - Field: Jan 25 – 26
    • Zoom Class: Feb 6 - Field: Feb 8 – 9
    • Zoom Class: Feb 13 - Field: Feb 16 – 17
    • Zoom Class: Feb 20 - Field: Feb 22 – 23
    • Zoom Class: Feb 27 - Field: March 1 – 2

    New to the Backcountry?


    Prepare for your AIARE Level 1 with an:

     

    Intro to Backcountry Skiing Course

  • Cost

  • $600 / Person

     

    Cost Includes

    • AIARE Level 1 Student Manual
    • AIARE Field Book
    • Backcountry Ski Map

Book Your Course

Ready to get the skills you need for your own adventures? We just need a few details to book your course.