AIARE Level 2 Course
Professional level course with certification
Are you looking to develop professional level skills that enable you to confidently make decisions that impact your guest, or recreation partners in avalanche terrain? AIARE Recreational II takes you beyond the baseline skills introduced in the AIARE Recreational I curriculum to both expand your knowledge as a recreationalist and provide professional level training for job-related demands of ski patrollers, guides, outdoor program leaders, and others in the industry.
The AIARE Recreational II course introduces snow stability analysis, and delves deeper into slab mechanics, snowpack metamorphism, and human triggering principles. It is appropriate for ski patrollers, guides, and recreationalists looking to learn the standards for observing, and recording factors that influence snow stability.
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Course Perks
If you’re in a profession that involves avalanche hazards, who better to learn from than someone in the industry. If you are intrigued by it all, who better to learn from and take it to the next level. Our highly experienced instructors have been trained by the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA), the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), and the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). You’ll get invaluable insight from some pros.
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Description
The AIARE 2 is a three-day course for those who have taken an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue and have had at least a year of backcountry travel experience. The AIARE 2 provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills by applying their skills to new terrain and situations.
Level 2 Course curriculum includes:
- Observation and recording of factors that affect or indicate snow stability
- Observation guidelines and recording standards for weather, snowpack, and avalanches
- Quick tests, test profiles, fracture-line profiles, full profiles
- Formation of new snow and surface hoar
- Creation and metamorphism of the mountain snowpack
- Weather effects on snow surface
- Temperature gradient effects
- Spatial variability
- Introduce stability analysis and forecasting
- Avalanche release and skier triggering concepts
- Slab mechanics
Have a Question? Contact Us!
Price
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Mount Rainier Course
$590 – 3 Days
Minimum 5 students
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Add a first day for avalanche rescue training – $200
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Stevens Pass Course
$590 – 3 Days
Minimum 5 students
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Add a first day for avalanche rescue training – $270
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Price Includes
- Student handbook
- AIARE field book
- All lectures and field days
- Professional instruction
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Price Does Not Include
- Transportation to lecture venues and field days
- Lodging
- Personal equipment (beacon, shovel, probes, ski gear, etc.)
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Payment Schedule
- Full payment at time of registration by credit card, which includes $200 non-refundable registration fee
Dates
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Mount Rainier Course 2026
- Jan 10, 2026 — Jan 12, 2026
3‑Day Course and 1‑Day Avalanche Rescue in Mt. Rainier National Park. Fully immerse yourself in the snowpack and terrain on the south aspect of Mt. Rainier. Classroom sessions in Ashford at the Nisqually Lodge and field sessions above Paradise — Mazama Ridge, Paradise Glacier/Muir Snowfields, and surrounding areas.
Participants who have not taken avalanche rescue can add an initial Day 1.
(Minimum 5 students)
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Stevens Pass Course 2026
- Feb 14, 2026 — Feb 16, 2026
3‑Day “Eastside” Course and 1‑Day Avalanche Rescue. This course will be based out of Leavenworth, Washington in the east/central Cascades and Stevens Pass. With numerous terrain options, and the potential to take advantage of both shallow and deep snowpacks, this course will definitely deliver.
Participants who have not taken avalanche rescue can add an initial Day 1.
(Minimum 5 students)
Custom Dates Available — Contact Us
Policies
Cancellation / Refund Policy
- MMI strongly recommends trip cancellation/interruption and evacuation insurance for all trips. Our insurance partner, Ripcord, offers comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, as well as rescue/evacuation policies and can assist in answering any questions. In addition, Participant is expected to have sufficient medical insurance as prescribed by their country of origin. Participant understands that MMI does not include any type of insurance with the cost of the trip.
- If you decide to cancel your trip or change your itinerary, MMI must be notified in writing. Your trip will be cancelled from the date written notice is received. If proper written cancellation notice is not received, amounts paid and reservations made will be forfeited.
- Non-refundable fees may apply for certain trips in order to secure permits and other services. MMI must strictly adhere to cancellation policies outside MMI’s control.
- Due to the personalized service we offer on our trips, MMI reserves the right to waive any fees. We will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations, waiving certain fees when feasible.
- Circumstances outside the control of MMI and its partners, may require amended cancellation/refund policies. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to COVID-19, natural disasters, wildfires, terrorism and so forth.
Domestic Trips/Courses:
- Full refund, less the non-refundable registration fee, will be provided 91 days or more before the departure date
- No refunds will be provided 90 days or less before the departure date
Trip Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel cancellation insurance to protect you from the unexpected. You aren’t likely to think of it now, but people do get ill, break a bone, have a family emergency or get assigned to a last-minute business trip. If you are in remote areas, please note that emergency rescue & evacuation can be very expensive.
We also strongly urge you to consider rescue and evacuation insurance if your own policy does not provide the coverage needed. Services available may include, but are not limited to, helicopter evacuation, medical care, etc.
If you choose not to purchase insurance, you assume full responsibility for any expenses incurred in the event of a medical emergency and/or evacuation, as well as for trip cancellation, interruption, lost luggage, etc. We are not the experts and therefore ask that you please consult our travel insurance partner directly with any specific questions.
To protect against losses due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances, Mountain Madness strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance as soon as possible after making a deposit. Mountain Madness has partnered with Redpoint Resolutions as our preferred travel insurance provider. Redpoint’s Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ is designed for adventurers.
For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click this link Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ or call +1 – 415-481‑0600. Pricing varies based on age, trip cost, trip length, and level of coverage.
Critical benefits of Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance include:
- A completely integrated program with a single point of contact for emergency services, travel assistance, and insurance claims
- Evacuation and rescue services from your point of injury or illness to your hospital of choice
- Comprehensive travel insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, baggage loss or delay, emergency accident and emergency sickness medical expense, emergency dental, accidental death and dismemberment, and more
- Optional security evacuation coverage in case of an unplanned natural disaster or other security events
- Waiver for pre-existing conditions (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
- Optional “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
Itinerary
Flight Information
For scheduled courses and climbs, you should fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac). You are responsible for your transportation to downtown Seattle. You will meet as a group with your guide(s) early morning on Day 1 for an orientation meeting and equipment check.
AIARE 2 Course Day by Day
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Day 1
Lecture
- Instructor and student introductions, course objectives, course itinerary and logistics, Liability release forms
- Level 1 quiz and review
- Case study
- Metamorphism, sintering and bonding
- Weak layers characteristics
Lunch Break
Field
- Companion rescue upgrade
- Induction method review
- Rescue leadership and strategic shoveling
- Multiple burial techniques
Return to classroom
- Mountain weather
- Review of seasonal snowpack
- Formation and classification of new snow
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Day 2
Lecture
- Pop quiz/review
- Snowpack data classes and instability factors
- Making observations relevant
Lunch Break
Field
- Field weather demo
- Full snow profile demo
Return to Classroom
- Recording observations
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Day 3
Lecture
- Pop quiz/review
- AM stability analysis/AM weather update/stability forecast
- Comparison of shear quality and fracture character
- Trip planning and risk management for small groups
Lunch Break
Field
- Test profiles
- Large column tests
- Gathering information/observations over terrain
- Verify stability forecast
- Group management/terrain selection/travel techniques
Lecture
- Intro instability factor checklist and analysis
- Intro snow stability rating
- Tour debrief
- PM instability analysis
Note on Itinerary: Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, the very nature of climbing in an alpine environment requires flexibility. This itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, and other reasons beyond our control.
Equipment for AIARE Level 2 Course
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Carrying Gear
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Ski Pack (35-45L)
35 to 45 liter capacity, avoid unnecessary options that add weight. Ideally a ski specific pack with avalanche tool pocket
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Climbing Gear
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Skis
with alpine touring or telemark bindings
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Split snowboard
backcountry touring specific snowboard
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Collapsible Ski Poles
adjustable ski poles with powder (big) baskets
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Climbing skins
with Glop Stopper skin wax
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Splitboard/Ski specific crampons
for all ski mountaineering trips
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Avalanche Beacon
beacon needs to be on 457 frequency
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Shovel
small collapsible style
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Avalance Probe
no ski pole probes!
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Snow study kit (optional)
optional except the Level 2 course
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Snow saw (optional)
optional but recommended
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Head and Face
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Fleece or wool hat
It must cover the ears
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Sunglasses
Essential eye protection whether in the tropics or by the water. Look for 100% UVA/UVB protection. Consider bringing a spare pair
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Shade hat or baseball cap
A visor hat with a good brim is essential for protection from the sun
Examples:
Mountain Madness trucker hat
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Balaclava or neck gaiter (optional)
lightweight
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Ski goggles
To fit over glacier glasses in high wind. Rose or amber lenses
Examples:
Smith, Oakley
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Ski Helmet (optional)
lightweight
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Hands
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Light weight work gloves
lightweight gloves with leather palm for rope work
Examples:
Black Diamond Transition Glove
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Mid-weight gloves
1-2 pairs
Examples:
Black Diamond Punisher Glove
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Heavyweight shell glove
Gore-tex or equivalent (trips before July)
Examples:
Black Diamond Enforcer Glove
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Feet
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Liner socks (optional)
1-pair lightweight and thin
Examples:
polypropylene or wool
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Syntheric or wool socks
check boot fir to make sure they work together
Examples:
Smartwool ,Patagonia
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Alpine touring ski or snowboard boots
lightweight
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Upper Body
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Sports bras
Two, synthetic, no cotton!
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Synthetic t-shirt (NW)
Light in color is nice for travel on snow
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene, Smartwool, or equivalent
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Long-sleeved Base Layer (single)
lightweight to mediumweight, pull-over is best
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Second heavyweight base layer
or lightweight fleece if necessary. Base layer preferred
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene, wool, polypro
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Light weight synthetic jacket
light weight synthetic puffy or fleece
Examples:
Patagonia Nano Puff jacket
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Softshell Jacket w/ hood
This is what you will be wearing while hiking at higher altitudes or while kicking around camps at lower altitude. This jacket should be full-zip
Examples:
Outdoor Research Ferrosi
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Hardshell jacket w/ hood
A good jacket made of Gore-Tex (recommended) or waterproof nylon, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers
Examples:
Outdoor Research Foray, Patagonia Triolet
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Down or synthetic jacket w/hood
This is your most important piece of warm gear and will mean the difference between an enjoyable climb or a miserable one. A warm, full zip jacket with hood is ideal.
Examples:
Helly Hansen Vanir, Feathered Friends Volant, Marmot Guide’s Down Hoody, Outdoor Research Virtuoso Hoody
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Sun hoody
This piece with a high SPF rating and lightweight fabric offers protection from high altitude sun
Examples:
Outdoor Research
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Lower Body
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Long base layer
Two pairs light or mediumweight
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Softshell pants
Softshell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable. Great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights higher on the mountain or summit day
Examples:
Outdoor Research Voodoo, Mountain Hardwear Touren, Patagonia Guide
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Hardshell pants
waterproof and breathable with side zips (minimum of ¾ zips recommended) Gore-Tex or equivalent
Examples:
Outdoor Research Furio, Arcteryx Beta AR
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Miscellaneous
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Personal first aid kit (NW)
moleskin/blister kit, Band-aids, athletic tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, ect
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Pencil and small notebook
for taking notes and writing observations
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Voile Ski Straps (2)
multi functional for repair or emergency
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Lip balm
Must have SPF rating of 20 or more. Bring two just in case!
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Sunscreen
Bring plenty of sun block with SPF of 40 or more. It's easy to underestimate the amount necessary for your trip!
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Hand sanitizer
enough to last trip length
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Headlamp
Bring extra batteries!
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Water bottles
two 1 liter wide-mouth water bottles
Examples:
Nalgene
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Hydration bladder (optional)
hydration bladder or water bag with drinking tube (must also have 1 Nalgene Bottle or equivalent)
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Pocket knife or multitool
Simple Swiss Army type with scissors. Make sure you transport in checked bag, not carry-on!
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Toiletry kit (NW)
toilet paper stored in double zip lock bags
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Bandana (optional)
lightweight
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Snacks (general)
Bring your favorite snacks and power/energy bars or if there is something else you particularly like to eat while hiking and climbing
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Camera (optional)
or any sort of device that takes pictures
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Book Course
Mount Rainier Course
$590
3 Days
Minimum 5 students
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Book Course
Stevens Pass Course
$590
3 Days
Minimum 5 students
Client to guide ratio
5:1
Difficulty
Intermediate
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