AIARE- American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education

Saving Lives Through Avalanche Education

Instructor Continuing Education

The AIARE Instructor Refresher Course (IRC) is now the AIARE Instructor Continuing Education (CE) Program. 

AIARE Instructor and Course Leaders keep on top of updates to AIARE curriculum, industry and teaching best practices, and their own professional development through annual continuing education. The AIARE CE Program provides AIARE Instructors and Course Leaders the opportunity to choose from a menu of course options in order to tailor their individual professional development needs. 

Beginning with the 2018-2019 season, Instructors must meet this annual requirement with course offered by AIARE at least every other year. For the non-AIARE CE years, Instructors can choose from a growing list of professional development opportunities. This list is updated on a regular basis.

Instructors keep their instructor or course leader status active by paying annual dues and completing an AIARE Continuing Education course OR submitting proof of non-AIARE continuing education by October 31 of each year. After this date, Instructors who have not completed any of these requirements become inactive (not permitted to teach) until they do. 

Inactive instructors must complete their professional development requirements for the previous season in order to become active again. If a course is completed after October 31 to reactivate an Instructor’s status, this course will not count towards the Instructor’s CE for the following season. In other words, the Instructor must take an additional course in that season to fulfill the requirement for professional development at the start of the next season.  

Instructors who are inactive for one year or more will need to work with the Rec Program Director to define an appropriate professional development plan in order to become an active AIARE Instructor.

Have questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions page.

2020 PRO 1 requirement

Please note: All AIARE Instructors must have a PRO 1 certificate or equivalent by Nov 1, 2020. Pro 1 or 2 courses from any A3 Pro course provider counts as AIARE CE. 

AIARE Continuing Education Courses

All AIARE continuing education courses are the equivalent of an 8-hour course. These courses may be a day in the field, or a combination of webinar or classroom time and self directed homework assignments. All CE courses are $125.

Course dates are still being finalized. Look for an announcement via email when dates are posted and registration is open. We are committed to ensuring that AIARE Instructors have access to Continuing Education opportunities. Please let us know if you would like a training near you.

Webinar: Using Digital Tools to Create Course Terrain Resources

By the end of this project-based course, you will learn how to use digital tools such as CalTopo and Google Earth to create annotated terrain resources (maps, images, and 3D renderings) for use by students on AIARE courses. This course will be a combination of self directed online learning with a pre-course project assignment and a 3-hour workshop-style webinar. You will need to turn in a complete terrain resource set in order to complete the course and receive CE credit.

Course Dates:

login to your account at avtraining.org and then use the links below to register for a course

November 12, 2019  9 am – 12 pm MST  (Class is Full)

January 7, 2020 9 am – 12 pm MST  (Class is Full) Email brooke.retherford@avtraining.org to be added to the waiting list.

Classroom Course: Presentation Workshop 

This workshop focuses on crafting tight and concise lessons that meet a clearly stated learning outcome. Learn and practice skills you can apply to your lesson plans and presentations. Centered on Dr. Norman Eng’s new book Presenting, you will read the short informative book and then develop two mini lessons – one presentation and one activity – to present to a small group during the workshop. You will have the opportunity to present at least twice, receive feedback from AIARE Instructor Trainers  and workshop your lesson with other course participants. This course requires you to purchase a copy of Presenting prior to the course (in digital or hard copy), read it, and develop to mini-lessons prior to the course in order to receive credit for completion.

Course Dates:

login to your account at avtraining.org and then use the links below to register for a course

November 7, 2019  – Estes Park, CO

December 19, 2019  – Silverton, CO

January 12, 2020 – Lake Tahoe Community College, CA

Suggest additional venues here.

Field Course: The AIARE 1 and 2 Snowpack Presentation

In this field-based course, AIARE Instructor Trainers will demonstrate a typical AIARE 1 and AIARE 2 snowpack lecture in the field. By the end of the day, you will be able to clearly differentiate and tailor these demonstrations and field lessons to a specific AIARE 1 and AIARE 2 audience. You will have the opportunity to discuss teaching strategies and techniques in addition to outdoor classroom management techniques with AIARE Instructor Trainers and other experienced AIARE Instructors and Course Leaders.

Course Dates:

February 6, 2020 – Colorado Mountain College – Leadville

January 12, 2020 – Jackson, WY

A field course is in the works for Instructors in New England. Please reach out to Liz Riggs Meder if you are interested.

Suggest additional venues here

Classroom Course: Pacific Northwest Weather

Join mountain weather forecaster John Meriwether to deepen your understanding of the winter weather of the Pacific Northwest. You will learn about PNW specific weather patterns and weather resources, learn how to interpret those resources such as models, and then learn how to apply that to anticipating the influence of weather on the snowpack. You’ll also collaborate with other workshop participants to incorporate this new understanding into your AIARE course instruction.

Course Dates:

November 3, 2019 – Seattle, WA

Pro Courses

A Pro 1 or 2 from any A3 course provider fulfills the requirements for an AIARE-offered CE.

Non-AIARE Courses

Non-AIARE courses are approved by AIARE on a regular rolling basis. General guidelines for acceptable courses are those that are open to any AIARE Instructor to enroll (ie not in-house employee training) and equivalent to at least 8 hours of instructional time (classroom, online, or self-study). If you would like to suggest a course, please send a course description and syllabus to feedback@avtraining.org.

Non-AIARE Courses or Conferences approved for Continuing Education Credits (as of 2/1/2020)

CAA Operations Level 1 Course

CAA Operations Level 2 Course Module 1, 2, and 3

CAA Operations Level 3 Course

AMGA Ski Guide Course, Advanced Ski Guide Course, or Ski Guide Exam

AvSAR course from an A3 Pro course provider

National Avalanche School (NAS) Classroom session

Regional Snow and Avalanche Workshop (SAW)

International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) (attendance or presentation)

Weather Courses