AIARE 1 in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan

Name: AIARE 1 in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan
SKU: 11000
Availability: InStock

Join IFMGA guide Mark Synnott for an avalanche education course in the powder skiing capital of the world. Hokkaido, the northern most of Japan’s main islands, is known for its bottomless champagne power, soaring volcanoes, onsens (natural hot springs), fantastic cuisine and one-of-a-kind culture.

SMG is offering a special AIARE 1 course from March 2-4, 2026 in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan. This AIARE 1 class is led by Mark Synnott (AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide). Mark is able to not only teach the AIARE standard curriculum, but also draw on his own personal experiences and passion for avalanche education to prepare you for your own adventures.

AIARE 1 is a 3 day introduction to avalanche hazard management. Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught). Participants may have attended some awareness classes or workshops or completed the Avalanche Rescue course, but none are a prerequisite for this course. Aspiring professionals will need to take the AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue as a prerequisite for the Pro 1 course. Upon finishing the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and be ready to move onto more advanced courses.

The AIARE 1 course costs $650. Participants should ideally have their own avalanche safety equipment (transceiver/shovel/probe), but Mark may have some loaner sets. Participants should have backcountry skis or a splitboard. The course is best booked online below, but you may also book via email or phone. You may book multiple people and pay in one order, but please complete this booking form for each person so we have full details.

This is a Standard AIARE 1 course consisting of 1 in-person classroom day and 2 days in the field. After booking your course, you’ll receive an email with details about the course schedule, online learning, and other resources. Please email Mark directly at [email protected] if you have any questions.

$650.00

Spots Available: 6

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Mode of Travel*

What will be your mode of travel during the course (ski or board w/ skins, snowshoes)?

Avalanche Rescue Gear*

Do you have or plan to purchase avalanche rescue gear (beacon/shovel/probe) or will you need to borrow from SMG?

Details*

We'll be in touch to work out specific details, but please briefly describe your outdoor background (relative to the course or guiding objective) and goals. If you're signing up for a course with a friend(s) and would like to be in the same group, please note their name(s) in this section.

Policies*

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Online Bookings
After receiving your online booking, we will get back to you within 1 business day via phone or email to confirm your booking. In the event that we cannot accommodate your booking, you have the option of having your payment refunded or applied to a future booking.

Payment
SMG accepts credit cards, PayPal, checks, and cash. Payment for AIARE courses is due in full at the time of booking. An exception is made for payment by check or cash...in these cases, payment is due in full at or before the course.

Cancellations
If you have to cancel your booking, please give us as much notice as possible. If you cancel 30+ days before the booking, we’ll apply the deposit/payment towards another booking at a later date or you can request a refund. If you cancel from 14-29 days before the booking, we’ll apply the deposit/payment towards another booking at a later date. If you cancel 13 days or sooner from the booking, for any reason, the deposit/payment is forfeited.

Weather & Winter
Winter courses/trips are rain or shine. If SMG cancels a booking due to weather, we will reschedule you for an alternate date of your choice.

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Skiing powder in Japan with Synnott Mountain Guides.

AIARE 1 in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan - Image 2

Course Information

Full Course Information

Student Learning Outcomes

At the end of the AIARE 1 course, the student should be able to:

Develop a plan for travel in avalanche terrain.
Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche terrain.
Effectively use The AIARE Risk Management Framework to make terrain choices in a group setting.
Demonstrate effective companion rescue.

Prerequisites

Students must be able to travel in avalanche terrain and bring appropriate equipment (backcountry skis or splitboard) for traveling on snow to class. There are no other prerequisites.