AIARE 1 Refresher Course
Online pre-course component
Continued education planning
Full day in the field
Companion rescue practice
The Evidence For Ongoing Training
The skills you learned in your AIARE 1 course can fade over time. Keep them sharp to keep yourself and your group safe.
In a first-of-its-kind study conducted with Eastern Oregon University, AIARE tracked nearly 1,700 students across three winters and found that those who completed avalanche courses measurably increased the frequency of safe backcountry behaviors — including terrain selection, recognition of unstable conditions, and end-of-day decision review. The Refresher is designed to sustain and deepen that effect over time.
If you’ve never taken a class together before, it’s also a great way to set expectations for your regular touring group.
AIARE continuously refines its curriculum as research evolves. The decision-making frameworks, human factors guidance, and rescue protocols taught today reflect current best practices.
What the course involves
Online pre-course component
Review terrain management principles, communication strategies, and rescue fundamentals prior to field day.
Companion rescue practice
Hands-on refinement of beacon search, probing, and shoveling under instructor supervision.
Framework Components
A teaching focus will be on these specific topics with space for additional subjects to be covered on the AIARE 1 Refresher course.
Full day in the field
Plan and lead a backcountry tour with an AIARE instructor, practicing applied decision-making in real conditions.
Who should enroll
Backcountry travelers who completed an AIARE 1 or equivalent course but have not practiced formally in one or more seasons
Touring groups seeking to align on communication strategies, risk tolerance, and travel protocols before the season begins
Experienced travelers returning to the backcountry after an extended absence
Prerequisite:
Prior completion of an AIARE 1, Avalanche Canada AST 1 + MAT courses, or comparable 24 hour introductory avalanche course is required. Contact your AIARE Provider if you have questions about whether your prior training qualifies.
Continued education planning
Students leave with a structured plan for continuing their avalanche education through the season and beyond.