Your First Step to Backcountry Safety: AIARE Launches Free 'Avalanche Aware' Online Course
Great news for the entire backcountry community! Getting started with avalanche safety education just got significantly more accessible. The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), in collaboration with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) and the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), has just launched Avalanche Aware, a brand new, completely free online educational program.
This course is designed to be the perfect first step for anyone new to venturing into the winter backcountry—whether you're on skis, a splitboard, snowshoes, or just out for a hike.
Closing the Education Gap
Avalanches are a serious risk for everyone who steps into snow-covered mountains. As more people discover the joy of the backcountry, the need for accessible, foundational education is more critical than ever.
"Avalanche Aware was created as a first step in avalanche education," said Vickie Hormuth, executive director of AIARE. "Many people stepping into the backcountry for the first time don’t know where to begin or understand the importance of avalanche safety... Our goal is simple: to make essential avalanche knowledge available to everyone so all types of enthusiasts can explore the mountains safely and responsibly.”
What You'll Learn in 'Avalanche Aware'
This isn't a dry, complex lecture. The program is a one-hour, self-paced online course that introduces the core concepts of avalanche awareness through engaging videos, insights from experts, and real-world examples.
The course is broken down into five key modules:
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Introduction to Avalanches
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Identifying Avalanche Terrain
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Recognizing Unstable Snow
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Managing Triggers
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Making a Plan to Continue Your Avalanche Education
Upon completion, you'll have the basic knowledge to start reading your local avalanche forecast (like the essential daily reports from Avalanche Canada), recognize warning signs of unstable snow, and practice identifying where avalanches can happen.
A First Step, Not the Last
The creators are clear: this fantastic online tool is a supplement to, not a replacement for, crucial in-person field training (like an AST 1 or AIARE 1 course).
The program is designed to build a solid foundation and encourage users to take the next step in their education. "We’re excited... to bring avalanche safety basics to more people," said Brian Lazar, deputy director of the CAIC. Scott Schell of NWAC agreed, calling it "an online supplement to point students toward."
This collaboration represents a shared commitment to improving backcountry safety by creating a welcoming and accessible entry point into avalanche education.
Get Started for Free
This is an incredible, free resource for our community, especially for those just starting their backcountry journey or friends and family who need a primer. Take an hour, get avalanche aware, and take your first step toward safer winter adventures.
Learn more and sign up for the free course at: www.avalancheaware.com