The AIARE 1 Refresher: one day, field-based, for travelers with prior training who know that skills don't maintain themselves.
The Evidence For Ongoing Training
The skills you learned in your AIARE 1 course can fade over time. Keep them sharp to keep yourself and your group safe.
In a first-of-its-kind study conducted with Eastern Oregon University, AIARE tracked nearly 1,700 students across three winters and found that those who completed avalanche courses measurably increased the frequency of safe backcountry behaviors — including terrain selection, recognition of unstable conditions, and end-of-day decision review. The Refresher is designed to sustain and deepen that effect over time.
If you’ve never taken a class together before, it’s also a great way to set expectations for your regular touring group.
AIARE continuously refines its curriculum as research evolves. The decision-making frameworks, human factors guidance, and rescue protocols taught today reflect current best practices.
What the course involves
The AIARE 1 Refresher is a one-day, field-based course structured around the AIARE Decision-Making Framework. Students plan and lead a backcountry tour under the guidance of a certified AIARE Instructor, applying each element of the framework in real terrain and conditions.
Who should enroll
- Backcountry travelers who completed an AIARE 1 or equivalent course but have not practiced formally in one or more seasons
- Touring groups seeking to align on communication strategies, risk tolerance, and travel protocols before the season begins
- Experienced travelers returning to the backcountry after an extended absence
Prerequisite:
- Prior completion of an AIARE 1, Avalanche Canada AST 1 + MAT courses, or comparable 24 hour introductory avalanche course is required. Contact your AIARE Provider if you have questions about whether your prior training qualifies.
Framework components covered
Avalanche terrain assessment
Forecast interpretation
Group decision-making
Communication under pressure
Rescue: search, probe, dig
In-field risk management
The AIARE 1 Refresher is available through AIARE Providers across the United States. Pricing is set by individual providers and is designed to be accessible — typically less than the cost of a single day at a major ski resort.
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