AIARE Avalanche Level 1 Truckee Tahoe CA

Our course begins with 2 online classroom sessions on weeknight evenings.  Here we’ll learn about avalanche terrain, snowpack, avalanche problems, case studies of real avalanche accidents, human factors in decision making, interpreting the avalanche bulletin and weather forecast, developing a route plan with online mapping tools, and creating a trip plan.  These sessions will include live presentations with our Backcountry Babes instructors, Q&A sessions, small group breakouts and self-paced work.

During the second online session, we’ll discuss the current avalanche conditions, weather conditions, snowpack, parking information, field touring location, and discuss our trip plan.

Homework assignments will be essential to explore online resources at your own pace and to incorporate new knowledge into your backcountry routines.  We will make real trip plans and instructors will provide feedback.  The online learning sessions are the foundation of success for our two full field days on Saturday and Sunday– and will help you incorporate knowledge and build good habits for your future backcountry touring days.

Today we’ll meet at the trailhead for an all day field day in a small pod of students and your instructor.  Objectives for our field time include learning how to use your beacon, shovel and probe and the daily habit of trailhead checks. We’ll practice up-to-date and efficient techniques for avalanche rescue and learn how to travel together as a group, including conducting moving observations and digging snow pits. Additionally we’ll learn about avalanche terrain recognition and selection, visual clues and red flags.  The day will end with a facilitated group debrief with touring partners.

Bring all your skills and knowledge from the week into your second field day.  Students will practice leading a tour under the guidance and supervision of instructors.  Come prepared with your tour plan, and ask as many questions as possible of your highly experienced instructors!  We’ll practice decision making in the field and reassessment of the plan by ongoing observations, and skiing and riding techniques.  We’ll wrap up our final field day with the daily debrief.

The goal is to send all our students into the world with a great foundation for continually improving decisions in the backcountry.  Backcountry travel is a lifelong learning experience.  It’s important to keep up your education with future Backcountry Babes events, an AIARE Rescue, our AIARE Level 2, a guided backcountry international trip, a local intermediate tour, reading, avalanche conferences, and more.  : )

What to Expect

Gear Needed

Backcountry skis or splitboard, ski poles, ski or snowboard boots, climbing skins, avalanche beacon, avalanche probe, avalanche shovel, backcountry backpack, and proper outerwear and warm layers for field time. A limited quantity of shovels, probes, and BCA beacons in an Osprey Ski Pack are available to rent for the course on a first-come, first-serve basis. These are available at the online checkout and will be brought to the course by your instructor. We recommend Alpenglow in Tahoe City or Tahoe Mountain Sports Tahoe Sports Hub, The Backcountry in Truckee if you need to rent any other gear.

Getting There

FLY: To Reno-Tahoe airport and take a shuttle or car to Truckee, CA.

DRIVE: To trailheads in the Truckee, CA area. Field sessions typically take place in our USFS permitted zones on Donner Summit, Castle Peak or Pole Creek. Exact touring location is weather and condition dependent. You will receive specific touring location information during our online evening sessions.

Backcountry Babes is an equal opportunity service provider and employer. Backcountry Babes operates under special use permit from the USDA Forest Service, Truckee Ranger District, White Mountain National Forest Ranger District and Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District.