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Avalanche Training

Avalanche safety training is a must for anyone who ventures into the backcountry in winter, and we offer the gold standard in avalanche education.
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Avalanche Training Programs

American Alpine Institute’s core avalanche courses are set in the world-famous backcountry accessible from the Mt. Baker Ski Area in Northwest Washington. A record-setting snowpack, easy road access, and stunning alpine terrain combine to make this one of the best outdoor classrooms in North America.

AAI offers both in-person programs and hybrid programs. Courses are also available at Mt. Rainier, Blewett Pass, and Mt. Spokane, WA, and at other locations. Refine your search using the filters below.

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Mount Baker Backcountry, Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
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4
5
Physical
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Avalanche Training – AIARE Rescue

AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one-day, hands-on course that prepares you for the moment no one wants, but every backcountry traveler must be ready for. You’ll build critical rescue skills … Read more

December - March
1 day
Two skiers tour in the backcountry in the winter mountains
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Avalanche Training – AIARE 1

This course is intended for people interested in backcountry skiing, splitboarding, ski mountaineering, snowshoeing, or virtually any activity in the winter mountains. We will teach students what to look for … Read more

December - March
2 Online Evenings + 2 Field Days or 1 Lecture Day + 2 Field Days
Mount Baker Backcountry, Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Avalanche Training – AIARE 2

AIARE Avalanche Level 2 is designed for experienced backcountry travelers who want to deepen their understanding of avalanche hazard management. Building on the decision-making framework taught in AIARE 1, this … Read more

December - March
2 Online Evenings and 2 Field Days or 1 In-Person Classroom Day and 2 Field Days
Mt. Baker Backcountry, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Leadership – Part I

Backcountry Skiing and Avalanche Fundamentals The Ski Mountaineering & Avalanche Leadership – Part 1 program is your gateway to safe, confident travel in winter backcountry terrain. Designed for skiers and … Read more

December - March
Varies
Mt. Baker looms in the background as 2 skiers ascend a slope during an American Alpine Institute Ski course
Mt. Baker backcountry & upper glaciers of Mt. Baker Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Leadership – Part III

Ski Mountaineering and Advanced Avalanche Decision-Making This 12-day program helps advanced skiers and splitboarders refine their technical skills, deepen their avalanche judgement, and confidently plan and execute multi-day objectives in … Read more

Mid-February - April
12 days
Mt. Baker Backcountry, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Backcountry Ski Course with Avalanche Training

Winter Backcountry Skills Part 1:  Introduction to Backcountry Travel This comprehensive course package is designed for individuals seeking to establish a solid foundation in winter backcountry travel. By combining our … Read more

December - March
Varies
Discussing terrain choices
Mt. Baker and Glacier, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Avalanche Pro 1 Certification Course

This course follows the curriculum from the American Avalanche Institute, which is one of only 6 organizations in the US that have been vetted and approved by the American Avalanche … Read more

December
1 evening + 5 days in-person training + online lessons prior to meeting
Touring in the Mt. Baker Backcountry
Mount Baker backcountry, Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Avalanche Refresher – AIARE 1

You’re out on a ski tour in the backcountry and the slope you’ve decided to descend looks questionable. You have avalanche training, but it’s been a while since you’ve used … Read more

December - March
1 day
Luke Holcomb on German Helmet
Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Government, Military, & Veterans
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Vocational Training for the Outdoor Professional

The American Alpine Institute offers various vocational programs designed to address educational and certification needs for outdoor professionals. These professionals include climbers, mountaineers, ski patrollers, mountain rescue technicians, outdoor educators, … Read more

Year-round
Varies
Military personnel training near Table Mountain
WA, CA, AK, NV and CO Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Private & Custom Trips, Government, Military, & Veterans
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Military and Government Mountain Training

Military, law enforcement and other government agents are often required to work in “high-end” mountain terrain to achieve their tactical objectives. These settings may require technical rock climbing, glacier mountaineering, … Read more

Year-Round
1-24 days
Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Avalanche Training – Snowmobile AIARE Courses

Ready to step out of bounds and into the backcountry?  Knowing how to judge avalanche conditions, where it’s more dangerous to travel versus where it is less dangerous, and being … Read more

January - March
2 Online Evenings + 2 Field Days for Rec 1 and Rec 2, 1 Field day for Rescue
Backcountry Skiing
Various Locations Special Offer
Type
Mountain Center
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Avalanche Awareness Seminars

You hear a loud WHOOMPH! That’s usually how it starts. Then you see it. A spider-web of fracture lines shoot out around your skis. And before you know it, the … Read more

October - March
90 minutes
Recording snowpit data
Mt. Baker Backcountry Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Avalanche Pro 2 Certification Course

Please note, this course is sponsored by American Alpine Institute and is directly run by American Avalanche Institute instructors. It follows the curriculum guidelines set out by the American Avalache … Read more

Winter
1 evening + 6 days
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Crevasse Rescue for Backcountry Skiers and Splitboarders

The glaciated peaks of the Cascades provide a wonderful playground for backcountry skiers and boarders to access to long, sweeping mountain lines, without having to deal with the ones you … Read more

April - May
2 Days