There aren’t many people who have taught more AIARE 2’s than Ian Nicholson. He is currently on the National Pro Instructor Team for AIARE and spent 5 seasons working for the Northwest Avalanche Center.

The AIARE 2 is geared toward folks heading on multiaday trips, deeper into the backcountry or want a deeper knowledge of how the snowpack works and how to relate it to terrain.

The AIARE 2 is a three-day/24-hour course that provides backcountry travelers an opportunity to advance their decision-making skills in more complicated situations such as being a leader within a small travel group, traveling in more complicated terrain, and/or developing a travel plan where resources are scarce.

The AIARE 2 builds on the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the AIARE 1 and adds to it the evaluation of critical hazard assessment factors. Students will describe and discuss weather, snowpack and avalanche processes and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain.

Who should take the AIARE 2?

The AIARE 2 is a three-day course for those who have taken an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue and have had at least a year of backcountry travel experience. The AIARE 2 provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision-making skills.

Most AIARE 2’s are taught in partnership with Backcountry Adventure Guides.

• Lecture and Zoom Dates: 2024 Tuesday & Friday @6:30 PM

• Snoqualmie Field Dates

• January 20-21 

• January 27-28

• February 17-18

• Duration: 3 Days

• Level: Intermediate

• Client Ratio: 5:1

• Cost:$495

• Included: Instruction, Student Manual, AIARE fieldbook, Online Learning Module,1 evening lecture, 2 Field Days

• Not Included: Transportation, personal equipment, Avalanche Handbook & gratuities