Participant Essential Eligibility Criteria

The health and well-being of our students and staff as well as providing the highest quality avalanche education are our priorities. 

AIARE course travel takes place in remote locations, is dynamic, and is oftentimes mentally rigorous. Participants must be able to endure strenuous environments. The inherent nature of course locations and content requires students to be fully committed to and capable of working hard, taking responsibility for themselves, moving through terrain effectively, and working successfully in the group to achieve the educational goals of the course.

To participate in an AIARE Instructor or Professional Training course, you must meet the following Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC).

The following applies to all AIARE field courses: 

Each participant must:

  1. Be able to stay alert for eight to twelve hours at a time for up to six days while in classroom, virtual and/or outdoor settings.
  2. Possess adequate devices, including cell phone and laptop as well as the technological skills to meet the course expectations.
  3. Work cooperatively as a member of a group and support a team approach, despite potentially challenging circumstances. This may require flexibility and the ability to compromise on an interpersonal or group level. 
  4. Contribute to a safe and positive learning environment—no inappropriate behavior, verbal or physical, of others is tolerated for any reason.
  5. Be able to travel through mountainous terrain and variable snow conditions, on the course mode of travel.

    If on skis (AT or telemark) or splitboards, you must be able to travel efficiently by ascending 900-1200 ft/hour. Downhill skills should be advanced to expert with the ability to avoid obstacles, traverse long distances, and navigate through dense timber. 

    Motorized Users: You must have significant experience riding snowmobiles or snowbikes, be capable of riding technical terrain in variable conditions, and be able to climb and descend in open and timbered slopes. This includes the ability to hold an edge, countersteer, maintain throttle and brake control, and extricate yourself from deep powder.

  6. Be able to independently identify and recognize environmental hazards. These hazards may include but are not limited to, falling objects/rocks, loose rock and unstable surfaces, rugged steep and uneven terrain, cliff edges, crevasses, and snowfall.
  7. Recognize and understand the hazards and risks posed by other course participants, which include, but are not limited to, fatigue, state of mind, and actions that may influence judgment and decision-making.
  8. Effectively communicate and listen to ideas and concerns on an individual and group level.
  9. Travel in inclement weather for an extended period of time and act reliably around hazards to minimize risk when not directly supervised.
  10. Be able to withstand cold temperatures (-20 degrees F or colder).
  11. Be able to competently use an avalanche transceiver and efficiently move over avalanche debris without skis, splitboard, or snowmobile.
  12. Be able to shovel in order to conduct a rescue and engage in educational practice and/or exams.
  13. Perform necessary self-care, including maintaining adequate nutrition and hydration, dressing appropriately for environmental conditions, managing known medical conditions, and proactively reducing the spread of any infectious disease.
  14. Practice Leave No Trace traveling techniques.

 

Failure to meet any requirement will result in ineligibility for the program. Should a participant on an active program be unable to meet the requirements, they may be subject to dismissal.