The Blackbird AIARE 2 is a program that elevates your ability to assess and manage avalanche hazard as you move into tackling bigger tours, higher peaks and the greater ranges of the world - and will help you find better snow in your own backyard! It expands upon the foundation you built in the Blackbird AIARE 1 and Blackbird ARC Avalanche Rescue Course, to look deeper into the baseline of weather, snow, route planning, human dynamics and avalanche terrain selection.
Blackbird AIARE 2 (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) is meant for experienced backcountry travelers who want to step up their game to become leaders of their recreational groups. You should feel comfortable with the concepts and lessons learned in your level 1 course and have a number of ski tours in which you were able to apply those skills under your belt.
Understanding the avalanche phenomenon is a lifelong pursuit and the Blackbird AIARE 2 is the perfect way to solidify your knowledge and refine your practices in the field.
The topics that will be covered are:
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Mountain Snowpack
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Mountain Weather
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The Avalanche Problems
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Trip Planning
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Terrain Choice
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Human Factors and Assembling your Team
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Trailhead Departure Check
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Route Finding
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Track Setting
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Descent Choices
Requisite Experience
Blackbird AIARE 2 is for backcountry riders who have:
- Taken a Blackbird AIARE 1 (or similar AIARE 1). If you have not, sign up with us . Even if you've been skiing for years in the backcountry, the Blackbird AIARE 1 will add insight and understanding to concepts that were fuzzy or not well understood and get you up to speed.
- Taken the Blackbird ARC (or similar AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course). If you have not, sign up with us . The Blackbird ARC is an intensive day of companion and small team avalanche rescue designed to help you understand the process of avalanche rescue. You should leave feeling comfortable leading or assisting a small team rescue if you need to put those skills to use in a real situation.
- Have Appropriate Gear. Ski touring bindings or split boards are much more functional than snowshoes. Please do not plan on using snowshoes during this course as it can impede the progress of the team. Likewise, a safety concern for the team is having functional avalanche tools, including:
- Digital Beacon (newer than 5 years old or recently checked by the manufacturer)
- High Quality Aluminum Shovel (plastic blades often break in dense avalanche debris)
- High Quality Probe (modern, quickdraw style)
Trip Length
2 Field Days plus 8 hours of Online Coursework and Pre-Field Webinar
