Avalanche education is vital for those hoping to get into the backcountry, whether or skis, splitboards, snowmobiles, or on foot. Unfortunately avalanche classes are often expensive and difficult to attend, creating a barrier into learning that leaves many stopping before they even start. The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education’s (AIARE) new online educational program is changing that.
The program, Avalanche Aware, was launched in collaboration with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) and the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC, offers free, online courses designed to introduce fundamental avalanche safety concepts to those venturing into the winter backcountry.
Avalanches are a risk whenever there’s snow on the ground. 22 avalanche fatalities occurred in the United States throughout the 2024-2025 winter season. With proper preparation, lives are saved, and Avalanche Aware was developed to close the gap.
“Avalanche Aware was created as a first step in avalanche education.“ any people stepping into the backcountry for the first time don’t know where to begin or understand the importance of avalanche safety. By partnering with two of the country’s preeminent avalanche centers, we combined decades of expertise to build a free, engaging program that meets all types of backcountry recreationalists where they are. Our goal is simple: to make essential avalanche knowledge available to everyone so all types of enthusiasts can explore the mountains safely and responsibly.” – Vickie Hormuth, executive director of AIARE.
Avalanche Aware is a self-paced online course that takes generally around one hour. It introduces the core concepts of avalanche awareness through five modules: Indroduction to Avalanches, Identifying Avalanche Terrain, Recognizing Unstable Snow, Managing Triggers, and Making a Plan to Continue Your Avalanche Education.
“We’re excited to expand our collaboration with AIARE and NWAC to bring avalanche safety basics to more people. After reaching hundreds in person over the past two winters, Avalanche Aware opens the door for thousands more to build the same foundation before they step into avalanche terrain.” – Brian Lazar, deputy director of the CAIC.
Avalanche Aware is not a replacement for AIARE certification courses and the Level 1 course. Instead it creates a welcoming, accessible entry to avalanche education to inspire more backcountry enthusiasts and recreators to prepare, learn, and build the knowledge and confidence required to make the right decisions before and during every winter adventure. Avalanche Aware is available today here.
