AIARE 1
Overview
The AIARE 1 is a three-day course that provides an introduction to using decision making tools to help a group manage risk while traveling in avalanche terrain.
Anyone who recreates in or near avalanche terrain should take an AIARE 1 course, including skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, snowshoers, and mountaineers. The course is designed for those who can already travel in the snow, have basic downhill skills, and want to learn how to manage avalanche risk, make decisions in the field, and perform rescues.
In an AIARE 1 course, you will learn the fundamentals of avalanche hazard management for backcountry travel, including how to plan and prepare for trips, identify avalanche terrain, use the AIARE Risk Management Framework to make decisions, and perform companion rescue techniques. The course combines classroom instruction with hands-on field time to provide you with the skills to reduce risk in avalanche terrain.
Dome accommodations for the 1st 6
Maximum class size of 12
1:6 instructor-to-participant ratio
Experienced, qualified instructors
Jan 17–18, 2026
The price displayed represents the final tour price, which includes 6 % Idaho state tax and 6 % booking fee. These are detailed as a separate amount during the check-out process.
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.)
Requirements
To take an AIARE 1 course, you need to be able to travel in avalanche terrain, have appropriate gear for backcountry travel, and be in moderate physical condition to handle the demands of the course.
While no specific certifications are required, some providers recommend or require prior backcountry experience or completion of an introductory course if you are new to backcountry travel.
Backcountry travel: You must be able to travel in avalanche terrain on your chosen equipment, such as skis, a splitboard, or snowshoes (depending on the course).
Physical fitness: You should have a moderate level of physical fitness to travel in mountainous terrain and ascend the necessary elevation gain per day.
Skiing/riding ability: If you are a skier or snowboarder, you need to be an advanced intermediate to advanced rider, comfortable on a variety of off-piste conditions, similar to skiing all blue runs and most black runs at a resort.
Prior experience: While some courses state no prerequisites, others may require a certain number of backcountry days or completion of an introductory course if you lack this experience.
Required equipment Appropriate gear: You must bring your own equipment for traveling on snow, including the necessary touring skis, splitboard, or snowshoes, and any other gear needed for backcountry travel.
Backcountry-specific gear: Ensure you have and can use backcountry-specific gear, as the course will likely not be the first time you are using it.
Clothing: You'll need appropriate layers, including a hardshell jacket, down or synthetic jacket, softshell pants, and a headlamp.
Other essentials: Items like a personal first-aid kit, sunscreen, lip balm, water bottles, and food are also necessary.
Additional requirements Age: You must be at least 12-16 years old, with a parent or guardian if you are in this age range and taking the course.
Online work: Some hybrid courses may require you to complete online learning modules and webinars before the in-person portion of the course begins.
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
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’l 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.
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