AIARE 1
Overview
Come and experience AIARE’s introduction to traveling safely in avalanche terrain with us in our vast bc ski terrain. This Level 1 avalanche course, run through the American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education (AIARE), is designed to give participants a basic understanding of why avalanches occur and to develop a framework for making decisions while traveling in avalanche terrain. Additionally, the course provides instruction in beacon use and companion rescue should an avalanche occur.
Maximum class size of 12
1:6 instructor-to-participant ratio
Experienced, qualified instructors
January 25–26, 2025
The tour price excludes 6 % Idaho state tax; online and direct reservations incur a 6 % booking fee.
Course description
AIARE 1 is a three-day, 24 hr course that provides an introduction to using decision-making tools to help a group manage risk while traveling in avalanche terrain.
Who should take this course
AIARE 1 is for anyone — regardless of mode of travel — who recreates in or near avalanche terrain. Aspiring professionals will need to take AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue as a prerequisite for the Pro 1 course.
Prerequisites
The ability to travel in avalanche terrain is all that is necessary; please bring appropriate equipment for human-powered snow travel to class. (Other avalanche awareness classes, workshops, or the Avalanche Rescue course are great adjuncts but not at all required.)
What’s included
- Rite in the Rain AIARE Decision-Making Guide (“blue book” fieldbook)
- student handbook
- certificate of completion
Please bring
Equipment list
Please come prepared with the following equipment:
| Item | Category | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| hardgoods | 25–35 L probably works for most people | ||
| hardgoods | (with AT bindings) | ||
| hardgoods | |||
| hardgoods | |||
| hardgoods | |||
| hardgoods | a modern model with three antennas; arrive with ≥ 80 % battery | ||
| hardgoods | |||
| hardgoods | made of metal, not plastic |
| Item | Category | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| wearables | |||
| wearables | such as a light- or mid-weight fleece | ||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | to wear over a shell during breaks | ||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | softshell or hardshell | ||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables |
| Item | Category | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| more physiological needs & comforts | |||
| more physiological needs & comforts | ≥ 1 L | ||
| more physiological needs & comforts | |||
| more physiological needs & comforts | |||
| more physiological needs & comforts | |||
| more physiological needs & comforts |
| Item | Category | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| small tools | |||
| small tools | (on your phone) | ||
| small tools | |||
| small tools | |||
| small tools | pooled together in a group, several can help with broken equipment | ||
| small tools | |||
| small tools | during spring temperatures when snow could stick to skins | ||
| small tools | |||
| small tools | such as Compeed & Leukotape | ||
| small tools | at least those tools that fit your own bindings | ||
| small tools |
Choose options
Snowcat bump
Begin and finish like cat skiing with cozy rides up and back down.
Deep backcountry
Find yourself untrammeled by resort bustle in the wilds of the Selkirks.
Hands-on learning
Practice identifying avalanche terrain and skills to manage it in real-time.
FAQs
Mainly, yes. We will however, at our discretion, use snowmobiles and other OTS vehicles when practical and available.
Yes. The area is open to all, but it is not practical to join us for a tour unless you did a multi-day, self-supported overnight trip.
Yes, “sort of”: it would be on a groomed snowmobile trail. It would require some time across flat to slightly uphill sections, but it’s doable by the willing.
Yes: it is public land. We survived the Schweitzer clientele, and we’d be stoked to see properly equipped and experienced riders getting sweaty. Please just treat our commercial operation with respect.
We don’t: we coexist with our fellow sledders. We are snowmobilers, and we are professional, commercial skiers and riders with snowcats. For 21 seasons at Schweitzer, we’ve handled the balance adeptly. We think that by operating the same way, we will continue to reduce mitigate interactions.
Schweitzer is going into the snowcat skiing and snowmobiling business themselves. Powder magazine published an article in July 2024 on this topic.
Ken has another strong 10 yr in him and retains a ton of successful experiences as he developed a 78 run operation seeing thousands of guests and has made it into Year 22 without a major negative blemish. His passion for great skiing runs deep, and with the move, he has the freedom to affect the permit zone in ways that weren’t acceptable at their old location.
Yes. We will maintain our Professional membership with National Ski Patrol (Q057) and will stage a trained staff member to watch operations and lend assistance in times of need daily. We’re also always seeking NSP members to augment our support troops. Apply here.
The town of Coolin couldn’t be much cooler. It’s a very small lakeside town that’s pretty chill
in the winter. Most winter visitors are either bc shredders or sledders, so it makes for a
wonderful place to stay. It’s about 7 mi from the staging area and has all facilities to support
you. Powder magazine published an article in July
2024 on this topic.
Coolin on Google
Maps
As we’ll have two cats operating, we don’t see conflicts between the day group and scheduling for unguided groups that want to do custom arrangements.
We are approximately 135 mi / 3½ hr away from Big Red Cats. Other destinations:
- Silver Mountain: 110 mi / 2½ hr
- 49° North: 67 mi / 1½ hr
- Brundage: 345 mi / 6½ hr
- Soldier Mountain: 620 mi / 10 hr
- Coolin: 7 mi
- Priest River: 12 mi
- Schweitzer: 55 mi
- Spokane Int’la Airport: 77 mi
No, we do not offer equipment rental.
No, you must come prepared with your own backpack, avalanche transceiver (beacon), shovel, and probe. We highly recommend that you travel with replacement parts specific to your bindings, boots, and other equipment.
Yes. AIARE Rescue, Level 1, and Level 2 can be incorporated into your ski tour days. This is subject to scheduling before October 1 annually.
Yes. We’ve been fortunate to have semi- to good connectivity. We still suggest you download maps for offline use.
We recommend travel insurance policies with cancel-for-any-reason-coverage for peace of mind and reducing your exposure should you want to cancel due to conditions not being to your liking. We’ve selected a policy to consider.
Booking policies
Payment
All reservations must be paid in full at the time of booking.
Promotions & discounts
Any promotion or discount must be redeemed only by calling reservations directly. No promotion and/or discount will be applied after the reservation has been made and full payment has been received.
Cancellations & reservation changes
Cancellations
Any cancellation made within 21 days of the scheduled tour date are 100 % non-refundable – no exceptions for any reason, not even airline delays, road closures, family emergencies, personal injury, etc. We encourage all guests to consider purchasing travel insurance with enhanced coverage (one with a cancel for any reason rider) through an outside provider such as InsureMyTrip.
Reservation changes
You may request date changes to your tour date outside of 21 days of your booking. Changes to your reservation are subject to availability and may incur an administrative fee of $100 per person.
Tour cancellations due to mechanical issues or unsafe conditions
Selkirk Powder Company has no control over Mother Nature. We tour in sun, snow, rain, wind, or any combination of interesting weather. It is, after all, an alpine environment. Be prepared, and dress accordingly. SPC reserves the right to cancel a tour for mechanical, weather, safety, personal or any other circumstance. You will be issued a full or partial credit valid for 1 year from the original tour date. No refunds will be issued. If your tour is cancelled multiple times, your credit still expires after 1 year – no extensions will be applied.
SPC reserves the right at any time, and at its sole discretion, to modify any policies set out above, with or without notice other than publishing such modifications on our website. It is your responsibility to review policies on our website for updates and/or changes. Your reservation and/or use of our services following any such policy modification constitutes your acceptance of any modified policy.
To ensure you get the dates and size of group you want, we encourage you to book as soon as your dates are established. Some of our guests make their reservations up to a year in advance, so don’t wait too long to contact us.
Payment in full is due at the time of booking.
If you prefer, tips can be added at the time of booking. The typical tipping amount in the industry is 10–20 % of the total tour cost: the same as you would extend for service in a restaurant or similar setting. At Selkirk Powder, tips are pooled and shared among guides, snowcat drivers (for snowcat trips), and your reservations agent.
You may request date changes to your tour date outside of 21 days of your booking. Changes to your reservation are subject to availability and may incur an administrative fee of $100 per person. We recommend trip insurance policies with cancel for any reason for peace of mind and reducing your exposure should you want to cancel due to conditions not being to your liking.
Reviews
- David J.January 31, 2023Rated 4 out of 5 starsVery Good intro to Avalanche Education
I am new to back country touring and this AIARE 1 course was a great place to start my journey on how to safely navigate the backcountry. The eight hours online instruction give me a solid foundation for the discussions that took place over the two days of fieldwork. Nothing beats hands-on training combined with a base understanding,
I also learned a lot of useful online resources, working in conjunction with my smart phone, that helped me plan my route safely. Kevin and Ben were very knowledgeable instructors who provided me a lot of great gear, technique, and safety tips along the way. Recommend!
Selkirk PowderJanuary 31, 2023Welcome to the backcountry David! We're glad you participated in Kevin and Ben's Level 1 and that you've gained knowledge, skills and smart tools for future tours. with you. We'll share your review w Kevin, Ben and the staff. Thank you and may we share another skin track in the future! - Kenneth T.January 1, 2023Rated 5 out of 5 starsTerrific AIARE education
I took this AIARE 1 course with John Reese and was thrilled with my experience. His expertise and extensive background in the field was immediately evident in his mannerism, which led to a very educational, enjoyable, and safe environment. All elements of the course were taught in a clear manner, prioritizing hands-on practice over theory. John also maintained a flexible itinerary to allow for extra practice as needed. Overall, I would recommend this course to anyone looking for a relaxed, fun, and educational introduction to avalanche terrain and backcountry skiing.
Selkirk PowderJanuary 1, 2023Thank you Kenneth, we'll be sure to share your review with JR. Thanks for joining us, we hope to have you back for more and, of course, have a great ski season! - Elaine I.February 8, 2022Rated 5 out of 5 starsTake your AIARE 1 with Selkirk Powder!
My husband and I took this AIARE 1 course with Selkirk Powder. The online portion was well done and laid a great foundation for the field work. The field days were around the beautiful sidecountry of Schweitzer, on Blue Mountain. Our group worked really well together (both skiers and splitboarders) under the awesome leadership of John Reese. All the steps of decision making and risk assessment in the backcountry were applied in the field in a practical way, along with performing avalanche rescue, observing snowpack, digging pits, and doing column tests. We learned a lot in a fun environment and got to ride some untouched pow! Much respect to John and everyone at Selkirk Powder--we plan on taking a tour with these guys in the future!
Selkirk PowderFebruary 8, 2022Thank you Elaine, We are stoked with your review, and having JR on our staff! 'Til we see you two again, have a great and safe ski season.