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AIARE II Avalanche Course
$685


Dates
- February 14-16, 2026
This AIARE II Avalanche Course is based in Mammoth Lakes. You will learn tools to apply The AIARE Framework, the repeatable process you learned in an AIARE 1, to new situations and to self-direct your learning after the course. You will learn more skills to connect weather, snowpack, and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain. This can enable you to act as a leader within a small travel group and to identify and target reducing uncertainty about the terrain or conditions.
Who Should Take this Course
The AIARE 2 provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision-making skills. The prerequisites for this course are an AIARE 1, an Avalanche Rescue Course, and a winter of practical experience after taking the AIARE 1.
What You’ll Learn
During an AIARE 2 course, you’ll spend time learning these skills, both in a classroom setting and in the field:
- Differentiating where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape
- Identifying avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe
- Using and interpreting weather, snow, and avalanche observations to make more specific terrain decisions
- Leadership skills to use in a small team, including facilitating small group discussion, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies
Inclusions
- Instructors, trained by AIARE and certified as Wilderness First Responders
- AIARE Fieldbook
- AIARE Student Manual and curriculum
- AIARE Online Learning (6-10 hours)
Avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes are available for rent.
Acclimatization & Physical Training
For proper acclimatization, we suggest spending at least one night at a moderate altitude, higher than 8,000 feet, just prior to the start of the journey. See our detailed tips on acclimatizing and physical training in the “Resources” tab.
February 15
Classroom day in Bishop
*You will also complete AIARE’s online learning before your course (6-10 hours).
February 16-17
Field Days in Mammoth Lakes
Links
- Custom Trip Link - delete if trip does not need
Rental Equipment
We have rental equipment available at checkout.
Reviews
Eli, AIARE I
“Sierra Mountain Center is the fantastic resource to have on the Eastern Sierra! I just took my AIARE 1 course with them and they were stellar and professional through and through. The owner Emma is so kind and helpful and will make sure you have a successful experience with this company. Guides Tyler and Mike were incredibly knowledgeable and patient and led a great course. I couldn’t recommend SMC more for any of your guiding needs on the east side.”
Michael, AIARE II
“Hey all! I recently took AIARE 2 with SP Parker and I have to admit it was fantastic! He showed so much passion for his craft and “patience” with us. It truly showed in the 3 days we spent together that he cares about what he does. He is so knowledgeable about snow science and in particular Eastern Sierra snow that I highly recommend participating in his course if you’re a frequenter of this magical mountain range. Can’t thank you enough and will most surely use the lessons learned in this course to be a more safe and conscious backcountry traveler.”
More Reviews
Aaron, AIARE Rescue
“Anouk was a terrific educator and guide during the avy rescue clinic- very experienced. Good natured and supportive. Expertly managed our group. We all got a ton of practice and had a nice day out in the field. I’ll be coming back for more avy training.”
Stefanos, AIARE I
“I got my avalanche education here (AIARE1). The team I met, Anouk, Tyler and Emma, is fantastic. I greatly appreciated their attitude and the experience they provided. Will be back for more soon.”
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