LEVEL 1
COURSE

Learn the decision-making skills necessary to evaluate and travel in avalanche terrain in a Backcountry Avalanche Course. Interested in our 1-day avalanche rescue course?

This course is available to all ages 12 and up. (Ages 12-14 requires parents to attend also. All minor registrations must contact the office in advance of booking for prescreening approval.) 

2024-25 DATES

• November 15-17 (available spots: 11)
• November 22-24 (available spots: 8)
• November 29 – December 01 (available spots: 12)
• December 06-08 (available spots: 12)
• December 07-09 (available spots: 12)
• December 13-15 (available spots: 12)
• December 14-16 (available spots: 12)
• December 20-22 (available spots: 12)
• December 27-29 (available spots: 12)
• January 03-05 (available spots: 12)
• January 10-12 (available spots: 12)
• January 17-19 (available spots: 12)
• January 24-26 (available spots: 12)
• January 31 – February 02 (available spots: 12)
• February 07-09 (available spots: 12)
• February 14-16 (available spots: 12)
• February 21-23 (available spots: 12)
• February 28 – March 02 (available spots: 12)
• March 07-09 (available spots: 12)
• March 14-16 (available spots: 12)
• March 21-23 (available spots: 12)
• March 28-30 (available spots: 12)
• April 04-06 (available spots: 12)
• April 11-13 (available spots: 12)
• April 18-20 (available spots: 12)

**Minimum of 3 students required to run.**

**Availability updated weekly. For the most current availability, please check the booking calendar on the right side of the page.**

COST

Course – $695

Includes:

• Student Manual
• AIARE Field Book
• Apex Mountain School SWAG (Stuff We All Get)
• 1 Classroom Day
• 2 Full Field Days
• AIARE Certificate of Completion

DIFFICULTY

Easy – Moderate

DURATION

Three 8-hour days

Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Saturday 8am-5:30pm

Sunday 8am-5pm

*Start and end times are approximate

LOCATION

Classroom Location – Eagle-Vail, CO (see How to Find Us)
Field Location – Vail Valley, Vail Pass, Fremont Pass and/or surrounding areas

*Courses run regardless of snow/weather conditions*

Policies

See our inclusion policy for special group requests.

WHAT TO BRING

• Beacon/probe/shovel (rental available)
• Clinometer (BCA slope meter, also available on compasses)
• Complete ski, split board or snowshoe equipment, including boots, poles, etc
• *No cotton – cotton does not wick moisture or insulate when wet.
• Long underwear bottom (thin) – synthetic or wool
• Long sleeve top (medium) – synthetic or wool
• Socks – synthetic or wool
• Ground mat (insulation so you can sit on snow)
• Water/wind proof jacket with hood, pants, and gloves
• Notebook (for lecture day)
• Any other items you would typically have in your pack on a backcountry trip
• Warm gloves or mittens
• Hat and neck gaiter or balaclava
• Goggles or sunglasses
• Small day pack
• Water bottle and food
• Headlamp and batteries

ALSO RECOMMENDED

• Loupe (at least 10x zoom)
• Snow Saw (minimum 30cm)
• Snow crystal card

YOU MAY ALSO CONSIDER

PREREQUISITES

Completion of e-learning modules is required by AIARE prior to the start of all courses. AIARE Level 1 modules often take about 4 hours.

Participants should be prepared to travel in backcountry terrain by ski or split board (snowshoes are acceptable if no other option). All AIARE Level 1 Backcountry courses take place in mountainous terrain, at altitude. Apex encourages students to come prepared for all mountain weather conditions.

PREPARATION

Are you new to the backcountry or looking to hone your ski or split board skills prior to an AIARE course? Beginner Backcountry Ski and Split boarding outings with Apex are an excellent way to prepare! During a Vail Backcountry Skiing private outing, your Apex Mountain School guide will work with you on both up and downhill travel techniques and transitions as well as navigating in a backcountry environment.

FUNDAMENTALS

Throughout a 27 hour Apex AIARE Level 1 Backcountry course, consisting of 1 classroom day and 2 field days, the course will focus on the following natural elements:

• The characteristics and types of avalanches
• Movement of avalanches
• Classifications by size and danger scale
• Mountain snowpack: metamorphism and layering
• Heuristics or Human Factors and group management
• Mapping, time management, route finding and navigation, as well as the latest standardized electronic tools and data/planning sites
• Using the AIARE field book
• Companion Rescue

and more

CLASS DISCUSSIONS

• How our behavior can effect our interaction with the backcountry
• Trip planning and preparation
• Risk management and decision-making
• Human influence in:
• Group dynamics
• Decision-making
• Accidents

The topics listed above will first be discussed in the classroom then applied in person on the weekend field days.

APPLYING SKILLS

Field days topics will include:

• Trip planning and prep
• Beacon, shovel and probe use
• Avalanche rescue, beacon search and strategic shoveling
• Identifying and evaluating avalanche terrain
• Route-finding, terrain management and travel techniques
• Group management
• Snow pit and snow layer analysis and tests
• Questions to ask in risk evaluation
• Identifying “red flags”