AIARE- American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education

Saving Lives Through Avalanche Education

COVID-19 Update

We are continuing to monitor the evolving guidelines set forth by National, State, and County Health Organizations.  Our goal is to continue to deliver quality avalanche education in the safest and most responsible manner possible.  We will update this page throughout the summer. 

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 a CE course offered by AIARE or from a growing list of approved 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 approved 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

In response to the uncertainty due to COVID-19, AIARE Continuing Ed is going completely online for the 2020-21 season. By doing this, we will be able to better support Instructors with free webinars on  hybrid instruction, avalanche-related professional development, and panel discussions.

We will be offering three different CE courses for a total of 14 dates. The webinars will be 4 hours long, with 1:6 ratios, capped at 18 participants in order to support discussion and idea sharing. All webinars will be $50.

If you are a Provider interested in custom in-person CE for your staff, please let us know by using this form.

Dates are still being finalized and will be posted in mid-July, but we are anticipating the following offerings:

AIARE 2 CE
October 20 November 7, 18, December 1,  January 27

Intended Audience
This CE program is for AIARE Instructors/Course Leaders who want to learn more about the content and delivery of the AIARE 2. No experience teaching AIARE 2 programs is required.

CE Goal
The goal of this CE program is to provide AIARE Instructors/Course Leaders with the tools and background information so that they can deliver relevant, applicable and excellent AIARE 2 programs to recreational users.

“ITC Upgrade” CE
October 10 November 1, 21 December 9, January 5

Intended Audience
This CE program is for AIARE Instructors/Course Leaders who have completed their ITC or CLT prior to 2017 and would like a window into the current Instructor Training curriculum. Current AIARE Instructors who are looking to take a 5-day Course Leader Training or experienced Course Leaders who would like to provide mentorship to newer Instructors would benefit from this CE program.

CE Goal
The goal of this CE program is for current AIARE Instructors/Course Leaders to gain familiarity with the 5-day models of AIARE Instructor Training so that they have the tools and resources to succeed in their upcoming programs and/or provide mentorship to newer instructors going through the program.

Teaching and Learning CE
October 28, November 11, December 15, January 14

Intended Audience
This course is intended for AIARE Course Leaders/Instructors who would like ongoing professional development with their field and classroom teaching. Building assessments that relate directly to learning outcomes can assist with both instructor delivery and student retention of the course content.

CE Goal
The goal of this CE webinar is to provide AIARE Instructors/Course Leaders with resources and tools so that they can better assess their students prior to, during and at the end of their AIARE programs.

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