If you are unable to make any of the scheduled course dates, or are interested in any variation of the AIARE Avalanche program, please contact us.

Learning the science of avalanche forcasting: analyzing layers, identifying snow crystals, metamorphasis,
and recording data. Photo by Andy Bourne

This course will be held over four full, consecutive days, including both classroom and field instruction. Participants on a Level 2 Course can expect about 12 - 15 hours of classroom and 20 - 24 hours of field instruction and practice in the following subjects:

• Avalanche formation and release
• Snow stability factors
• Observing and recording weather
• Observing and recording the snowpack
• Observing and recording avalanche activity
• Stability analysis and forecasting

Skinning up Heliotrope Ridge on Mt. Baker's north side. Photo by Andy Bourne.

The AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) was founded to provide instructors with the tools to educate students about the knowledge and decision making skills necessary to travel in avalanche terrain.

The American Alpine Institute's Avalanche Course instructors are AIARE trained and will teach the standardized AIARE curriculum on each course.

There is no nationally recognized curriculum for avalanche education in the USA. There are many avalanche courses and programs available but in large part, course providers operate according to their own personal beliefs and ideas. There are few means for the public to assess the quality of an avalanche course or instructor.

AIARE was formed to address this situation. They have developed and continue to develop standardized curriculum for a complete program of avalanche courses that meets the needs of students at all levels, from recreational to professional and from novice to advanced. AIARE has created and will continue to create course materials for instructors and students to maximize the effectiveness of both teachers and learners. They require instructors to meet pre-requisites and attend a training session before they are allowed access to AIARE materials and curriculum. In addition, instructors are required to sign an agreement stating they will abide by the guidelines established by AIARE and they are required to attend regular refreshers to maintain and improve their avalanche knowledge, instructional skills, and their understanding of the evolving AIARE curriculum and materials.

AAI instructor Lyle Haugsven lectures on the complexities of snow science from within the classroom of a freshly dug
snow pit. Photo by Andy Bourne

The AAI Shop has rental gear available to use for your avalanche course including snowshoes, transceivers, probes, shovels, packs and ski poles. Here's a link to the AAI Equipment Rental Price List

We don't have skis or snowboards for rent, so if you need to rent these items you can call Glacier Ski Shop at 360-599-1943.

The course runs 8:00am to 5:00pm each day, you must provide your own transportation, food and lodging throughout the course. The classroom session takes place in AAI's equipment shop. We are located 90 miles north of Seattle on I-5. To get to AAI, take Exit 250 (Old Fairhaven Pkwy) and turn west toward Fairhaven. After 1 mile you will reach a stoplight at 12th Street. Turn right on 12th Street and park immediately. AAI's administrative office is the first building on the right, the equipment shop is the second house on the right.

• Day 1 - We meet at 8am at the AAI equipment shop for the classroom session. After finishing at 5pm, you will have an hour to deal with any rental equipment needs for the next three days in the snow.
• Day 2 - Meet at 8am at Mount Baker Ski Area which is a 1 hr 15 min drive from Bellingham, for a day spent in the field. See the Mount Baker Ski Area website.
• Day 3 - Meet at 8am at Mount Baker Ski Area for another field day, practicing the skills you learn in the previous days.
• Day 4 - Meet at 8am at Mount Baker Ski Area for the last field day, practicing the skills you learn in the previous days, and executing a planned backcountry ski tour.

Lodging Options

1. Stay each night in a Bellingham hotel and commute both to AAI and Mt. Baker Ski Area each day. The Best Western Heritage Inn provides discounts to all AAI program participants; just let them know you are on an AAI course. The address and phone is 151 East McLeod Road - (360) 647-1912. Anther option is the Days Inn at 215 Samish Way, Bellingham - (360) 734-8830.
2. Camp for approximately $20 per night at Larrabee State Park, located 5 miles south of AAI right on the beach.
3. There are plenty of vacation rental cabins in the town of Glacier, 20 minutes from Mount Baker Ski Area. See Mount Baker Lodging for cabin options. There is usually a two-night minimum.
4. You can check availability for the Mount Baker Lodge, which is owned and operated by The Mountaineers. This is the only place to stay that is actually at the ski area, and is very economically priced. It’s a rustic place, and you must pitch in with chores. Go to the Mountaineers website for more information on the lodge.
5. It’s also possible to snow camp just outside the upper parking lot at the Mount Baker Ski Area (at approximately 4000 feet elevation). This would be the cheapest option, but you should be prepared for long, cold nights and possibly stormy weather.