Instructor Progression: 

There are two levels of instructor qualifications.

1. Course Instructor - qualified to instruct Level 1 courses under a Course Leader.  A Course Leader must be present for the entire course.

2. Course Leader - qualified to Course Lead a Level 1.  A Course Leader is required on all courses and must be present for the entire course.

The qualifications for Level 1 Instructors and Course Leaders are below.

Course Instructor - Level 1

Required Pre requisite Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years personal experience with leadership and decision making in backcountry avalanche terrain.
• AIARE Level 2 Course.
• Recent observation of an AIARE Level 1 course.
• AIARE Level 1 Instructor Training Course.
• AAA membership . 

Required Continued Professional Development

• AIARE IT/IRC course every 3 years as a refresher or AIARE peer review.
• Familiarity with updated teaching materials as they become available.

Recommended Qualifications

• AAA Professional Member.
• AIARE Level 3 course.
• Professional decision making experience for at least two years.

Course Leader - Level 1

A Course Leader must be present and leading on all AIARE Courses. 

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of four winters professional leadership experience in backcountry terrain.
• AIARE Level 3 certificate.
• Instructor experience on 3 or more AIARE courses. † 
• Letter of recommendation from a supervising AIARE Course Leader outlining courses taught, professional leadership experience and teaching experience.
• AIARE Instructor Training Course for Level 1 and Level 2. ††
• AAA membership (recommended AAA Professional Membership).

Required Continued Professional Development

• Update teaching materials as they become available.
• AIARE IT/IRC Course (minimum every 3 years after initial IT course); or AIARE peer review.

Recommended Qualifications

• AMGA Ski Guide or Alpine Guide certification.
• AAA certified instructor.

Apprentice/Field Assistant

Apprentices are those in training who have not met the Level 1 Instructor prerequisites. Apprentices need to fulfill the instructor qualification prior to gaining instructor status.  Apprentices will typically assist or audit AIARE courses with a AIARE qualified course leader prior to gaining instructor qualification.  Apprentices can only assist in the field but they can not lead groups and can not affect the student to instructor ratios.

† Instructor experience on 3 AIARE courses either L1,L2,L3 or ITC or prove currency with AIARE L1 via AIARE Ed Comm.

†† Equivalent training/experience must be approved by the AIARE Technical Director.