Motorized AIARE Level 1 | Seeley Lake, Montana

Course Description

Format:

3 day/24 hours of instruction (classroom + field) with the Mountain Riding Lab

70/30 field/classroom split, this course emphasizes riding time and teaches the fundamental aspects of the AIARE risk management process and decision making with respect to backcountry snowmobiling and snow biking in avalanche terrain.

Date | Location:

2.21.20 Classroom Component | Seeley Lake, Montana (location TBA)

2.22.19 – 2.23.19 Field Component | Seeley-Swan Backcountry

Price: $495.00

Motorized Avalanche Level 1

The motorized level 1 course is designed specifically for snowmobilers and snow bikers. This course focuses on developing a solid foundation in avalanche knowledge and how it applies it to mountain riding. With an emphasis on riding time motorized instructors cover systematic approaches for sorting and prioritizing information in the complex environment of decision-making in the backcountry. Forty percent of the course is classroom based and the other sixty percent is field based. Participants will travel in the backcountry, in and around mountainous avalanche terrain. Snowmobiles and snow bikes will be used in class to access terrain. This is the essential course for any backcountry snowmobiler. Topics covered include preparation, planning, and execution of a backcountry ride based on avalanche conditions, avalanche terrain identification, hazard mitigation and safe travel techniques; weather, snowpack, and stability analysis; and avalanche rescue techniques. All participants receive an AIARE 1 certification after completion. Participants should be prepared to ride off trail in powder and varied snow conditions.

Pre-Registration Required. Maximum 12 students.
This course – along with Avalanche Rescue – is a pre-requisite for Level 2 or Pro 1.

This course focuses on the following:

Basic avalanche terminology
Recognizing avalanche terrain
Travel procedures in avalanche terrain
Formation of the mountain snowpack
How weather changes the snowpack
Human factors and how they can influence decision-making
Interpreting the avalanche forecast and advisory
Tour planning
Avalanche transceiver use and rescue skills
Field observations of terrain, snowpack, and weather
Use and interpretation of stability tests
Implementing systems for prioritizing information, working as a team, and minimizing possible human factor traps
Classroom decision-making scenarios to practice use of the checklist
Next steps