After a few years gap it is good to see that Chamonix Experience are once again running the AIARE Level 1 courses in Chamonix this winter. The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education course curriculum is the result of collaboration between Canadian, Swiss, and American mountain guides. If you are in Chamonix this winter then these courses are an ideal introduction to backcountry travel in the winter.
The three day course covers the core of avalanche risk management, search and rescue and decision making. Both classroom and field based the course covers using weather and avalanche resources, snow-pack observations, understanding the pitfalls of human decision making patterns, and implementing route and terrain selection options. Groups are 4-6 students and the fee is 270€ per person. The fee includes use of an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe as well as course material. The course is lead by AIARE qualified IFMGA guide Miles Smart.
The following dates are scheduled by Chamex.
December 19 - 21
January 08 - 10
February 07 – 09
http://www.chamex.com/courses/aiare-level-1-avalanche-course
http://avtraining.org/