AIARE 1 Refresher Course

Took an AIARE 1 a few years ago and want to dust off your skills? The skills you learned in your AIARE 1 course can fade over time. Keep them sharp to keep yourself and your group safe. Photo: Touring above treeline towards Tuckerman Ravine on Mt Washington, by Brian Post.

The AIARE 1 Refresher is a one-day course that revisits the key decision-making frameworks and updates your knowledge without repeating the full three-day curriculum. Requires a previous AIARE 1 or equivalent.

The SMG AIARE Course Leaders & Instructors are able to not only teach the AIARE standard curriculum, but also draw on their own personal experiences and passion for avalanche education to prepare you for your own adventures.

The AIARE 1 Refresher course costs $295 (on sale through October 15, 2026). Avalanche safety equipment (transceiver/shovel/probe) will be provided by SMG for use during the course (however, you are encouraged to bring your own). 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.

Original price was: $295.00.Current price is: $280.25.

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Phone(Required)
Mailing Address(Required)
What will be your mode of travel during the course (ski or board w/ skins, snowshoes)?
Do you have or plan to purchase avalanche rescue gear (beacon/shovel/probe) or will you need to borrow from SMG?
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(Required)
Please read and check the box if you agree to the policies.

Online Bookings
Online bookings are subject to guide availability and other factors such as weather and climbing conditions. 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/alternate booking.

Payment
Payment is due in full at the time of booking or when SMG confirms your booking (in the case of programs that offer a deposit option). Specialized or international programs may have different payment policies. SMG accepts most major credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, checks, and cash (payment methods are subject to change and may differ for online vs offline bookings).

Cancellations
If you have to cancel your booking, please give us as much notice as possible. If you cancel 30+ days before the booking, your payment can be applied towards another booking up to one year after your originally scheduled program or you can request a refund. If you cancel from 7-29 days before the booking, your payment can be applied towards another booking up to one year after your originally scheduled program. If you cancel 6 days or sooner from the booking, for any reason, the deposit/payment is forfeited.

Weather & Conditions
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.

AIARE 1 Refresher Course

Course Information

What the Course Involves

The AIARE 1 Refresher is a one-day, field-based course structured around the AIARE Decision-Making Framework. Students plan and lead a backcountry tour under the guidance of a certified AIARE Instructor, applying each element of the framework in real terrain and conditions.

  • Online Pre-Course Component: Review terrain management principles, communication strategies, and rescue fundamentals prior to field day.
  • Full Day in the Field: Plan and lead a backcountry tour with an AIARE instructor, practicing applied decision-making in real conditions.
  • Companion Rescue Practice: Hands-on refinement of beacon search, probing, and shoveling under instructor supervision.
  • Continued Education Planning: Students leave with a structured plan for continuing their avalanche education through the season and beyond.

Framework Components Covered

  • Avalanche Terrain Assessment
  • Forecast Interpretation
  • Group Decision-Making
  • Communication Under Pressure
  • Rescue: search, probe, dig
  • In-Field Risk Management

Who Should Enroll

  • Backcountry travelers who completed an AIARE 1 or equivalent course but have not practiced formally in one or more seasons.
  • Touring groups seeking to align on communication strategies, risk tolerance, and travel protocols before the season begins.
  • Experienced travelers returning to the backcountry after an extended absence.

Prerequisites

Prior completion of an AIARE 1, Avalanche Canada AST 1 + MAT courses, or comparable 24 hour introductory avalanche course is required. Contact us if you have questions about whether your prior training qualifies.

The 2026/2027 Standard AIARE 1 courses will consist of 1 in-person classroom day and 2 full days in the field.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

  • Classroom Day – Meet at 9:00 AM and finish around 4:00 PM.
  • Field Day #1 – Meet at the Synnott Mountain Guides office at 8:00 AM, dressed and packed for a field day. We’ll conclude the day between 3-4 PM.
  • Field Day #2 – Meet at 8:00 AM (or time given by instructor) at location designated by instructor. We’ll conclude the day between 3-4 PM.

Your instructor will be in touch before your course with full specific schedule and location details.

The 2026/2027 Hybrid AIARE 1 courses will consist 4 hours of online learning (at a time of your choosing), a live online 3 hour evening lesson, and 2 full days in the field. The online learning and live online lesson replace the traditional in-person classroom day.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

  • Complete the AIARE 1 online learning module on your own time before the online meeting and field days.
  • Lesson and online meeting with all participants before the course, see dates listing below.
  • Field Day #1 – Meet at the Synnott Mountain Guides office at 8:00 AM, dressed and packed for a field day. We’ll conclude the day between 3-4 PM.
  • Field Day #2 – Meet at 8:00 AM (or time given by instructor) at location designated by instructor. We’ll conclude the day between 3-4 PM.

Your instructor will be in touch before your course with full specific schedule and location details.

ZOOM DATES
Two days before your course begins, there will be a mandatory, live online meeting with an AIARE Course Leader or Instructor from SMG. This meeting will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. See the list below for Zoom dates for each course:

  • December 19-20, 2026 (Hybrid, Saturday-Sunday) | Zoom on December 17, 2026
  • January 2-3, 2027 (Hybrid, Saturday-Sunday) | Zoom on December 30, 2026
  • January 9-10, 2027 (Hybrid, Saturday-Sunday) | Zoom on January 7, 2027
  • January 13-14, 2027 (Hybrid, Wednesday-Thursday) | Zoom on January 11, 2027
  • January 23-24, 2027 (Hybrid, Saturday-Sunday) | Zoom on January 21, 2027
  • January 30-31, 2027 (Hybrid, Saturday-Sunday) | Zoom on January 28, 2027
  • February 13-14, 2027 (Hybrid, Saturday-Sunday) | Zoom on February 11, 2027
  • February 17-18, 2027 (Hybrid, Wednesday-Thursday) | Zoom on February 15, 2027
  • February 20-21, 2027 (Hybrid, Saturday-Sunday) | Zoom on February 18, 2027
  • March 6-7, 2027 (Hybrid, Saturday-Sunday) | Zoom on March 4, 2027
  • March 13-14, 2027 (Hybrid, Saturday-Sunday) | Zoom on March 11, 2027
  • March 27-28, 2027 (Hybrid, Saturday-Sunday) | Zoom on March 25, 2027

2026/2027 FAQs.

How do I know when the 3 hour online lesson/meeting will be for the Hybrid course?

Two days before your course begins, there will be a mandatory, live online meeting with an AIARE Course Leader or Instructor from SMG. This meeting will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. For example, a course scheduled for Saturday, January 9th, would have an online meeting at 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 7th.

How large will groups be?

Our field groups typically consist of seven people, including the instructor. Private courses are available if you inquire very early in the season, and pricing will vary.

2026/2027 Gear List.

Please see the SMG AIARE Gear List (PDF). We will supply you with beacon, probe and shovel, but if you have your own, please let us know.

Mountains, Cliffs, & Routes

Conditions permitting, this course will take place in a variety of terrain on Mount Washington. We may also utilize other steep/open terrain in the White Mountains such as Crawford Notch.

Difficulty

Intermediate - Advanced

Length

1 Day

Season

Winter

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