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AIARE Avalanche Rescue

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
6
$375

Join our guides and AIARE instructors for a full day of bc touring and undertaking scenarios mimicking avalanches and how to rescue victims. This course is additionally being offered as an à la carte item to any private mechanized tour we offer. AIARE Avalanche Rescue, a 1-day avalanche rescue course, is designed to be completed every other year, if not annually. 

Class size

6 students per instructor

Course dates

January 11, 2025
Other dates to be determined; private course dates are available – inquire with Ronnie in Reservations.
Book

The tour price excludes 6 % Idaho state tax; online and direct reservations incure a 6 % booking fee.

After booking, you may request to change your reservation time or date outside of 21 days, though we assess an administrative fee of $100 for each change. Please visit Policies for our full cancellation policy.

Lodging

We’ve gathered together a few options for accommodations in the Coolin area.

Travel insurance

We’ve found a policy to consider that suits our nature-reliant adventures.

AIARE Avalanche Rescue is for everyone—whether you are just learning how to use your transceiver, an aspiring professional, or a backcountry traveler with many years of backcountry experience. This one-day course is a place to both learn new skills and keep your existing skills sharp. Avalanche Rescue is a prerequisite for AIARE 2.

Signal search

Avalanche Rescue at Selkirk Powder is a full-immersion event. You will be given a one-ride pass for Schweitzer’s summit lift and use our vast bc ski area; the classroom aspects will occur outside our summit lodge, and the rescue practice element will occur in the summit snowpack to get as close to avalanche terrain as practical.

AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one-day stand-alone course intended to be retaken on a regular basis in order to keep abreast of best practices in rescue techniques and equipment. Each participant will have the opportunity to receive professional coaching on their rescue skills: new participants will learn the basics of companion rescue while returning participants will expand their skill set with advanced topics and realistic scenario practice.

Signal search instruction

Avalanche Rescue is a prerequisite for AIARE 2 and Pro 1 courses. AIARE recommends all backcountry travelers keep their skills current by completing an Avalanche Rescue course and receiving a rescue card at least every other year.

In addition to avalanche rescue, we will also discuss tree wells – another snow hazard.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • Describe what to do if they or a member of their party is caught in an avalanche.
  • Identify and use equipment necessary for avalanche companion rescue.
  • Set up a realistic scenario in order to practice an avalanche rescue response.
  • Improve their response skills and times during and after the course with feedback from instructors and peers.
  • Develop a plan for continued practice.

All students will have the opportunity to receive feedback from an instructor on their rescue skills in a timed, realistic practice scenario.

This course is designed for both new and experienced recreational backcountry travelers and aspiring avalanche professionals alike.

Prerequisites

Students must be able to travel in the snow—please bring appropriate personal equipment to do so.

Avalanche education student
  • student handbook
  • certificate of completion

Please bring

Avalanche rescue class group
Meet at our desk in Schweitzer’s Lakeview Lodge.
Descend to Schweitzer Village.
5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 6 reviews
6 reviews
  • Walt T.
    February 22, 2022
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Awesome blend of Professional and Personal

    Selkirk Powder truly brings the best! Brenda is an elite level instructor with tremendous personal experience to enhance the lesson. As a retired naval officer, I’ve had more than enough training and instructional courses to know the good ones. SPC has the perfect mix of both professional instruction (with clear course objectives and a solid plan of instruction) with personal attention (making sure they understand our objectives in taking the course and making sure they know what WE want to take away from the instruction)(with wrap-up follow through to ensure our goals were achieved). Also tremendous personal experience to draw from: Brenda is an experienced mountaineering guide, including an Everest summit!!! I appreciated the interactive discussion and show and tell where Brenda emptied her pack and we went through the pros and cons of including different items for different conditions. My confidence level in transceiver accuracy was enhanced by Brenda’s discussion of flux lines and demonstration in the field of how the transceiver was interpreting the signals. Likewise, all four of us (with differing skill levels) all improved our probing and shoveling techniques and are much more prepared to use our skills should it be necessary. Thanks again to Ken, Brenda and the SPC team for an awesome day of Avalanche Rescue. Highly recommended

    Selkirk Powder
    February 24, 2022
    Thank you Walt. We look forward to seeing you in more of our avalanche courses.
  • Jack
    February 9, 2022
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Highly recommend for anyone thinking of backcountry trips

    Kevin and the SP crew were great. Going into the class I thought I had an idea of avalanche rescue but this course really opened my eyes to the process and tools at my disposal. Great Job by all!

  • Heather
    January 30, 2022
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Fun and informative

    What a fantastic class! Attended with several friends of varying experience and we all had a blast and learned a lot. I also loved how hands on it was. That helped us all realize the areas we excelled in and the areas we needed to practice more on. Kevin our instructor was super knowledgeable and fun, getting us all excited to get out in the backcountry more and feel confident doing so! And Roni was great and made the booking process super easy.

    Selkirk Powder
    February 1, 2022
    Thank you Heather, If we can lend any assistance while you guys continue on your bc path, pls let us know. Hope top have you back for a private Rescue course!
  • Stephen
    December 21, 2021
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Excellent Avalanche Rescue Course

    Kevin and John gave great instruction on this one day class that taught invaluable skills for when the worst happens in the backcountry. It's been about 12 years since my Avalanche I course and I can't believe I waited until now for this one. I left feeling much more confident that I can shave precious time in a search and rescue with proper transceiver use, search grids, probing and shoveling. We had an amazing group and Kevin and John were an absolute pleasure to spend the day with. I highly recommend this course for all levels and types of backcountry users.

    Selkirk Powder
    December 22, 2021
    Have a wonderful ski season Stephen, and thank you for putting together this private group.
  • Konner
    February 19, 2021
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Great course

    I attended this course with some friends and we were all very satisfied with the class. The class went in depth on the detail-oriented portions of avalanche rescue, and was "down and dirty" on the less meticulous portions. Not only did I get very familiar with my own gear, but I was able to perform a few single-rescuer rescues, as well as multiple team rescues. I feel a lot more confident with my rescue abilities. This class bridges the gap between being a liability in the back country, and being an asset. Thanks guys!

    Selkirk Powder
    February 20, 2021
    Konner we've lost a slew of riders this season... THANK YOU for participating, and sharing your thoughts! Many fine turns my man!!! Many !!!!
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