AVALANCHE HAZARDS
Differentiate severe landscapes and terrain
INTERPRET
Weather, snow, and avalanche observations
FORECASTING
Implement a basic framework to manage risk in the backcounrty
AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Course
Steamboat Powdercats offers one AIARE (The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) Level 2 avalanche course in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
This three-day course is designed for those who have already taken an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue course and since then have had at least one year of backcountry travel experience. The AIARE 2 provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision-making skills.
For the 2024/25 season, our Level II avalanche course date is:
March 14-16, 2025 – BOOK NOW
INCLUDED
Cost is $800/student
2 instructors
Course materials (student manual and AIARE field book)
Snowcat transportation in and out of terrain, depending on course plan
AIARE Level 2 certification
For more detailed information, course outline and equipment list, please give us a call at (970) 879-5188 or email us at info@steamboatpowdercats.com with any questions.
NOT PROVIDED
Shovel
Probe
Beacon
Skis or splitboard
Food (except lots of coffee)
Transportation to and from SPC office and Buffalo Pass
We do have beacon, shovel and probes to rent for an additional $20/course. We don’t have AT skis, splitboards or skins to rent here. We suggest using Ski Haus, Backdoor Sports, or Christy Sports in Steamboat Springs if you need to rent these locally.
This Level 2 course utilizes the AIARE course curriculum. At the end of the course you will be able to:
• Differentiate where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape and identify avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe.
• Use and interpret weather, snow, and avalanche observations to locate appropriate terrain prior to entering and while in the field.
• Demonstrate leadership skills within a small team that include facilitating small group discussion, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies.
• Implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absences of local supporting avalanche information.
This is an advanced level course for those who already have a AIARE Level 1 and an Avalanche Rescue course along with at least one year of backcountry travel.
This three-day advanced avalanche course will fine tune and expand upon your Level 1 course.
Prerequisites
- Participants must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain.
- An AIARE 1 Course (strongly recommended) or equivalent Level 1 training is required.
- A winter of practical experience after the Level 1 course is highly recommended before taking the AIARE 2 course.
- AIARE or AAA approved one-day Avalanche Rescue Course.
We utilize our snowcats to get quickly into our study areas in the field, thus maximizing our time to learn from the snow. Once out there, we will be traveling to different areas to get a varied picture of avalanche terrain and snow pack. And of course, we’ll do our best to get a few turns in as well!
For those looking for online avalanche education, please review the Know Before You Go website and learn some of the basics before you head out into the backcountry.
