AIARE Level 3:
Advanced Avalanche Training for Professionals and Recreational Leaders

To Be Announced

San Juan Mountains of Colorado
© Wolf Creek Backcountry

The Level 3 course is an advanced certification course for experienced and professional avalanche practitioners, professional guides, patrollers and advanced recreational backcountry travelers. The course is 6 days long and completes the avalanche course stream of the Level 2 and 3. (10 days together). Individuals who receive a passing grade and successfully complete the course receive a certificate provided by the AIARE administration.

The Level 3 course provides course participants with an industry based framework to make decisions in avalanche terrain and to manage avalanche hazards common to avalanche control operations and winter guiding scenarios. Participants are required to form opinions, to take on leadership roles, and to utilized team members skills to assist in the process of forecasting avalanche hazard and snow stability and making appropriate terrain choices. Course goals also include evaluating each participant to the AIARE Level 3 standard.

The Level 3 course builds on the concepts introduced in the prerequisite Level 2. These include standardizing snow and weather observations and techniques to the Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Guidelines of the American Avalanche Association (2004). The Level 3 takes the "trained observer and technician" and begins the process of making the information relevant to the complexities, variability, and influences of terrain.

Course Location: TBA
Dates: TBA
Cost: TBA

Required equipment for the course: Equipment List
(courtesy of American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education, AIARE)

Click here if you would like more details about the AIARE Level 3 Course