ITC and CLT Equipment List

Updated 11/30/2022

Items below are REQUIRED for AIARE Instructor Training Courses and Course Leader Trainings unless marked otherwise. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • Personal hand sanitizer to carry in classroom and field. Please bring enough for personal use for the whole week.
  • Face covering that covers nose and mouth (cloth mask, disposable procedure mask etc. no buffs).

Classroom Supplies

  • Field notebook (optional – you will receive an AIARE Fieldbook, you may want an additional outdoor writing notebook).
  • Pens and pencils
  • Laptop or tablet with webcam, mic, and speakers for virtual classroom sessions, team meetings, accessing conditions and forecast information, and for preparing presentations and lessons.
  • Folding chair and sleeping bag in the event the Instructor Staff create an outdoors classroom.

Clothing

Please bring comfortable clothing for classroom sessions. 

Outdoor clothing considerations should be made for moving and standing still in cold/snowy weather. Pease have at least the following:

  • Outer and Base Layers suitable fo stormy winter conditions
  • At least two pairs of gloves or mitts
  • Sufficient insulating layers for the time of year and location. If unfamiliar with the course area, please contact AIARE for information on typical climate conditions.
  • Warm hat and sun hat

Protective & storage equipment

  • 35 liter backpack (recommended size) with dedicated avalanche tools pocket; avalanche flotation device optional
  • Helmet (RECOMMENDED for skiing/boarding), DOT certified helmet (REQUIRED for snowmobiles)
  • Knee pads (optional)
  • Goggles, sunglasses & sunscreen
  • Water bottle and/or insulated beverage container & food

Navigation, communication and observation equipment

  • Navigation kit (compass, altimeter & GPS or smartphone)
  • Maps will be provided, please bring maps, terrain photos, and guidebooks for the local course area if you have them. 
  • Digital camera or smartphone
  • Small binoculars / monocular for distance viewing
  • Headlamp & spare batteries
  • Two-way radio, GMRS, or VHF w/ license (OPTIONAL)

Observer’s Kit

  • Snow saw or folding pruning saw (minimum 35-40cm blade)
  • 3m long knotted cord (2-4mm thick) or manufactured Rutschblock cord or 70-100 cm folding “long saw” for setting up large column tests
  • Snow thermometer (graduated in degrees Celsius; NOT Fahrenheit). Consider bringing an additional one in the event yours breaks.
  • Crystal identification screen, dark color made of thick plastic or stiff metal
  • Magnifier Loupe (10x-15x), wide angle view
  • Folding ruler (graduated in centimeters; either bring a 2m ruler or 1m ruler + probe w/ cm graduations)
  • Inclinometer (may be integrated with compass)

Avalanche Rescue Equipment

  • Avalanche probe 260 cm or longer  with high visibility 1 cm markings
  • Collapsible metal avalanche rescue shovel
  • Three antennae digital transceivers that are less than 10 years old. Transceivers between 5-10 years old must be sent to the manufacturer and function-checked prior to the course.

Note: The following equipment can affect your transceiver function. Do not bring or use the following items during field sessions without your Instructor’s consent:

  • Electrically heated gloves or other garments
  • Clothing with magnets (e.g. magnetized zipper flap closures)
  • Chest mounted electronic devices
  • Wristwatches with radio transmission and Bluetooth functions (e.g. Fitbits, Apple Watches etc.)
  • Heart rate monitors (unless prescribed by your physician)

Incident Response Equipment

  • Personal first aid kit (blisters, meds, wound care, gloves/face shield, splinting material, sugar etc.)
  • Repair kit, specific to your mode of travel (consider multi-tool, bit driver, hose clamps, straps, spare screws, tape, zip ties, spare basket, pole repair, etc)
  • Insulating foam pad (can be part of pack)
  • Firestarter kit (lighter & tinder)
  • Portable rescue sled w/ supporting slings/straps (optional one per group is sufficient)
  • Emergency shelter as appropriate (optional: examples include a space blanket, guide’s tarp, bivouac sac / Bothy bag etc.)

Travel equipment 

Ski/Splitboard

  • Skis or Splitboard. Please notify AIARE if you plan to travel on snowshoes.
  • Skins
  • Ski Crampons (optional: these may be required by the course leader)
  • Boots
  • Poles

Snowmobile

  • Snowmobiles must be maintained in safe operating condition including headlights, tail lights, and brake lights which are operating at all times the snowmobile is operating.  A repair kit is to be carried to make on-the-trail repairs.  Recommended equipment includes the following; Spark plugs, extra belts, tow ropes, tool kit, duct tape, extra light bulbs for both front and rear lights.  
  • Ensure you have paid any applicable fees or registration  to use your machine in the state which you are taking the course
  • Radios with a speaker/mic (REQUIRED), capable of operating on FRS/GMRS frequencies
  • Spare shovel and probe to be carried in tunnel bag (RECOMMENDED)
  • Additional outer jacket, headlamp, socks, and hat

 

Snowmobile: Having a selection of spare parts and tools is necessary to address any unforeseen mechanical issues during field travel. A pack of 30-litres is the minimum you will need for a course. A current motorized use tag (OHV/OSV) is required.  You will not be able to participate in a course if your registration is expired. A more detailed equipment list will be provided upon admission to the program.