What will I learn in AIARE Level 1 vs. AIARE Level 2?
AIARE Level 1 | AIARE Level 2 | |
| Role: | Contributor to a Group | Facilitator of a Group |
| Learning Approach: | Introduction to a decision making process | Coached application of a decision making process |
| Skills Emphasis: | Identify critical hazard factors Recognize avalanche terrain Communicate within a group | Assess the present hazard Evaluate terrain complexity and consequence Manage risk within a group |
| Field Application: | With the support of a local avalanche bulletin | Without the support of a local avalanche bulletin |
Table by John Mackinnon
What’s the New AIARE Level 2 like?
The AIARE Avalanche Level 2 curriculum has changed with the Recreational and Professional Track Split, new in 2017. Now students will take an
AIARE Level 1 (3-day course)
AIARE Rescue Course (1-day),
AIARE Level 2 (3-day follow up to the level 2)
We think think the new AIARE Level 2 is prefect for the avid recreational backcountry skier who wants to build on the knowledge they learned in the AIARE Level 1 in a practical, applicable way. A main focus will be understanding terrain and terrain choices to avoid avalanche risk!
What might you learn in an Avalanche Level 2?
At Backcountry Babes, our AIARE Level 2 is filled with women who have an intermediate-to-advanced amount of practice backcountry touring. Our students take our Level 2 because they want to build their avalanche hazard recognition skills by getting to study 3 days worth of curriculum and material, tour in the field with Backcountry Babes AIARE instructors, ask questions, make terrain choices, and get hands-on guidance from experienced professionals.
Some Common Questions:
Can I ski this? What is the hazard on this slope? Where’s the best location for the uptrack? What’s the best down track? How much risk am I putting me and my group into? Are there human factor traps, terrain trap, or red flags happening here? We’re out of a local avalanche bulletin zone, or we’re on a mulitday hut trip– what do we know about the snowpack and how can this knowledge inform our choices?
Once you have a foundation of education from your AIARE level 1, some practical experience on personal or guided backcountry tours, and have taken your 1-day AIARE Rescue Course, come join us for an AIARE Level 2!
We currently offer this AIARE Level 2 course annually in Colorado!
Come join the course!
Cheers,
Emily
