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AIARE Level 2: Analyzing Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard |
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The level 2 course is a 4-day program that provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills. This course also includes the introductory and prerequisite components for the professional progression: the level 3 certificate.
The Level 2 builds from the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the level one and adds to it the evaluation of factors critical to stability evaluation.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Advance understanding of avalanche terrain, particularly from the perspective of stability analysis.
- Discuss how the snowpack develops and metamorphoses over time; and discuss the factors that contribute to spatial variability.
- Learn standard observation guidelines and recording formats for factors that influence or indicate snow stability. SWAG MODULE.
- Advance understanding of avalanche release and triggering mechanisms.
- Introduce a snow stability analysis and forecasting framework.
- Improve companion rescue skills including multiple and deep burials.
Instructional Sessions (40 hours including both class and field) include:
- Level 1 Review
- Energy balance, the mountain snowpack and metamorphism
- Faceting; near surface and near crust faceting
- Formation of surface hoar and persistent weak layers
- Skier Triggering: theory and observations
- International and national snow, weather and avalanche observation and recording guidelines (SWAG).
- Weather; interpreting forecasts, recording and observation techniques
- Snow profile techniques and bonding tests
- Avalanche observations and recording techniques
- Stability analysis checklist: reviewing critical factors
- Stability ratings
- Daily stability forecasts and analysis
- Trip Planning and hazard forecasting for avalanche terrain.
- The avalanche danger ratings
- Terrain analysis using maps/photos
- Forecasting stability and variability
- Terrain selection and route finding
- Group management and hazard management
- Decision making
- Human factors
- Information gathering
- Site selection and relevancy
- Spatial variability
- Slope tests
- Companion Rescue
- Level 1 techniques review
- Multiple burial
- Shovel techniques
Student Prerequisites: Students must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain. An AIARE Level 1 Course (strongly recommended) or equivalent training/experience is required. A winter of practical experience after the Level 1 course is recommended before taking the Level 2 course.
Required equipment for all avalanche courses: Equipment List
PROGRAM OVERVIEW TABLE
| Course and length | Student | Objective | Hazard Management Outcomes | Link |
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Avalanche Awareness
1-2 hours |
General Public (tailored to):
-Middle & High School
- Snowmobiliers
- Skier, Boarders
- Mixed user groups.
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Public awareness of risks associated with recreating in the winter backcountry.
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-Provide information to access the avalanche bulletins, local info.
- Provide information regarding “observable clues” that indicate avalanche danger.
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Suggest a Level 1 Avalanche Course for further education.
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Level 1
3 days/24 hours
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-Introductory student
-Recreational backcountry leader and party member
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-Introduces the avalanche phenomena.
More than an avalanche “awareness” course.
-Introduces planning and prep for travel in avalanche terrain, human factors, terrain recognition, “red flag” observations, terrain selection, travel techniques.
-Basic companion rescue
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-Basic hazard management course.
-Uses rule based tools in combination with introductory knowledge based decision making tools.
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-Stand alone course.
-Provides link to level 2 course for backcountry leaders
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Level 2
4 days
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-Advanced
-Backcountry team leader
-Introductory professional: ski patrol, guide
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Advanced Avalanche course
-SWAG module, standardizes observation, recording guidelines.
-Advances understanding of mountain snowpack.
-Advanced rescue skills
-Improves decision making and terrain skills.
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-Introduces stability factors/checklist and other stability evaluation tools.
-Adds snow stability evaluation to hazard/risk management model.
-Defines professional observation skills
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Introductory
professional course or advanced recreational team leader course.
-The SWAG module for the level 3 course
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Level 3
6 days
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-Professional
Education for:
-Patrollers
-Guides
-CPD for forecasters
- Advanced recreational leaders
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-Review of snowpack processes
-Review of new research
-Operational forecasting course.
-Advanced decision making in avalanche terrain.
-Advanced rescue skills
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-Operational style stability analysis/forecast.
-Independent and team decision- making.
-Knowledge based tools used in hazard forecasting
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Combination of levels 2/ 3; plus completion of Level 3 assessment leads to pass/fail certificate.
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Avalanche Training 
