The AIARE Level II course is a 4-day program that provides backcountry leaders and aspiring snow professionals  the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills.

The Level II builds from the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the level one and adds to it the evaluation of factors critical to stability evaluation.

Level II Course Objectives

• To improve the students avalanche hazard evaluation and personal forecasting capability.

• Use and analyze snowpack and weather data.

• Teach industry standard methods for weather and snowpack data collection and documentation. 

• To practice route finding skills and applying forecasts to terrain. 

• To gain more experience dealing with complex companion rescue.

Level II Curriculum
Tour Planning, Snowpack Metamorphism, Avalanche Mechanics, Observations: standards and recording, Forecasts, Mountain Weather, Route Finding, Stability Assessment, Decision Making, Group Management, Full and Test Pit Profiles, Rescue Leadership and Multiple Burial Scenarios.

Level II Field Sessions
Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoon and most of the day on Sunday will be spent traveling into the backcountry with an instructor to participate in experiential sessions that examine topics discussed in the classroom. Field sessions include: multiple burial companion rescue, route finding and safe travel, backcountry stability assessment, full and test pit profiles, fracture line profiles and a snow crystallography lab. These sessions will also be an opportunity for instructors to evaluate where students need continued study to best support their aspirations.

The rugged San Juan Mountains surrounding Silverton have provided the ideal avalanche education classroom since 1962. The Silverton Avalanche School is a member of the American Avalanche Association (A3). Our instructors are avalanche professionals and are certified with AIARE, AAA and/or the Canadian Avalanche Association. Many of our instructors also have an advanced degree in snow science and have presented new methods and techniques at the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW).

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE FOR LEVEL 2 COURSE: (DETAILED SCHEDULE pdf)

Students receive  the Snow, Weather and Avalanches: Observation Guidelines for Avalanche Programs in the United States 2010 edition AAA, USFS. as a part of the course. Students use the Level II Course Manual and an AIARE field book for the course.   We also recommend that students read the Avalanche Handbook (3rd edition) prior to the course. An AIARE Level II Course Certificate is provided at the end of the course.

Cancellation Policy:   A $35.00 fee is charged for course date transfers. 60% of the course cost can be refunded up to 30 days prior to the course start.  No refunds are provided for cancellations made less than 30 days prior to the start of the course for which you are registered. Unfortunately we cannot give refunds, rainchecks or cancellations if passes into Silverton are closed (best arrive early if the weather forecast is big).

Questions? Contact info@avyschool.org or call 970-903-7039