AIARE Avalanche Rescue
COMPANION AVALANCHE RESCUE
AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one-day, hands-on course focused on building and maintaining the skills you need to respond to an avalanche rescue.
New to companion rescue? You’ll learn the essential rescue skills and how to use your avalanche rescue gear effectively. Returning participants will build on their existing skills through realistic scenarios, timed practice, advanced techniques, and professional coaching.
This course is designed to be taken regularly so you can keep your rescue skills sharp, stay current with best practices, and be ready to respond when it matters most.
This is a women-specific AIARE Rescue course. We welcome women-identifying, femme, transgender, and gender non-conforming participants who are comfortable learning in a femme-centered space.
AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one-day, hands-on course focused on building and maintaining the skills you need to respond to an avalanche rescue.
New to companion rescue? You’ll learn the essential rescue skills and how to use your avalanche rescue gear effectively. Returning participants will build on their existing skills through realistic scenarios, timed practice, advanced techniques, and professional coaching.
This course is designed to be taken regularly so you can keep your rescue skills sharp, stay current with best practices, and be ready to respond when it matters most.
This is a women-specific AIARE Rescue course. We welcome women-identifying, femme, transgender, and gender non-conforming participants who are comfortable learning in a femme-centered space.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
By the end of AIARE Avalanche Rescue, you'll have practiced how to:
The goal isn't to memorize a rescue sequence and call it done. It's to practice your skills in realistic scenarios, get feedback, and build the confidence and muscle memory to respond when it matters most.
- Respond if you or a member of your group is caught in an avalanche.
- Identify and effectively use the gear needed for avalanche rescue.
- Perform a companion rescue using your transceiver, shovel, and probe.
- Set up and respond to realistic avalanche rescue scenarios.
- Improve your rescue skills and response times through timed practice.
- Receive professional coaching and feedback from experienced instructors.
- Develop a plan to continue practicing and keep your rescue skills sharp.
The goal isn't to memorize a rescue sequence and call it done. It's to practice your skills in realistic scenarios, get feedback, and build the confidence and muscle memory to respond when it matters most.
COURSE FORMAT
1 FULL DAY — Hands-on avalanche rescue training with experienced instructors
The course is designed to be taken regularly so you can keep your rescue skills current, practice realistic scenarios, and continue improving your response times and technique.
Need avalanche rescue gear?
We offer a limited number of backcountry packs, avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes for rent during registration.
The course is designed to be taken regularly so you can keep your rescue skills current, practice realistic scenarios, and continue improving your response times and technique.
Total course commitment: approximately 7-8 hours.
Need avalanche rescue gear?
We offer a limited number of backcountry packs, avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes for rent during registration.
Course Schedule
- Pre-course self-paced learning — You’ll receive access to the online learning after you register. Complete the required material at your own pace before your field day so you arrive ready to put your knowledge into practice. Registering before November 1? You’ll receive an updated email once the online learning is available for you to access.
- 1 full day in the field — We’ll spend the day practicing avalanche rescue skills in a hands-on, supportive environment. You’ll work through companion rescue techniques, timed practice, and realistic scenarios while building efficiency and confidence with your rescue gear.
- Morning meetup — We’ll start with introductions, course logistics, and a review of the day’s conditions before heading to our field location.
- Looking for a place to stay?
We recommend staying in Silverthorne, Frisco, or Breckenridge to make getting to our Summit County field location easier. Specific meeting and field locations will be shared with participants before the course.
Meet your instructors!
Your course will be led by experienced, professionally certified avalanche educators who bring both technical expertise and a passion for making backcountry education approachable and inclusive.
Janine Prout
AIARE COURSE LEAD · AIARE PRO LEVEL 2 · EMT · WFR
Janine Prout is a champion for women in the outdoor industry with a rich background in winter backcountry travel, including ski patrolling, snow cat guiding, snowmobile guiding, and non-mechanized adventures across the Western U.S. and Canada, especially in Central Colorado. She’s a fan of powder, recycled powder, and corn conditions, and she also loves mountain biking, bikepacking, and watersports.
Emma Wood
AIARE PRO LEVEL 1 · AIARE AVALANCHE EDUCATOR · WFR
Emma, who grew up on the coast of Maine, has spent the last eight years guiding and teaching outdoor education across Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho. A certified AIARE Instructor with a WFR, she leads rock climbing and backcountry skiing courses for NOLS and the High Mountain Institute. Passionate about inclusivity in the backcountry, Emma also enjoys sewing outdoor gear and cooking for friends when she's not exploring the mountains.
Brittany Konsella
AIARE PRO LEVEL 2 · AIARE AVALANCHE EDUCATOR · WFR · AMGA SGC ·AMGA ASC
From her start on the small slopes of Ohio, Brittany developed a profound passion for skiing, competing in Freestyle at CU Boulder and later coaching for five years at Winter Park. Her dedication culminated in the monumental goal of skiing all of Colorado’s 14,000-ft peaks, an achievement she completed in 2011 as only the second woman to do so. A lifelong educator and former secondary teacher, Brittany now combines her skills and passion by teaching recreation-level avalanche courses and inspiring others in the backcountry.
Why take a course with us?
Learn avalanche education in a space built for women and femme-identifying adventurers.
VNTRbirds courses combine professional avalanche education with the community, mentorship, and support we've built over years of getting women into the backcountry.
You'll learn from experienced, certified educators in a supportive environment where questions are encouraged, skills are practiced, and there's no expectation that you already know everything.
VNTRbirds courses combine professional avalanche education with the community, mentorship, and support we've built over years of getting women into the backcountry.
You'll learn from experienced, certified educators in a supportive environment where questions are encouraged, skills are practiced, and there's no expectation that you already know everything.
FEMME-CENTERED
Learn alongside women and femme-identifying adventurers.
Learn alongside women and femme-identifying adventurers.
EXPERIENCED EDUCATORS
Professional, certified avalanche instructors.
Professional, certified avalanche instructors.
COMMUNITY
Leave with more than a certificate, you'll have people to keep learning with.
Leave with more than a certificate, you'll have people to keep learning with.
We respectfully acknowledge that this event is located on the traditional lands of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) people. We honor their enduring connection to this land, their history, and their culture. As we enjoy the beauty and resources of this region, we recognize the past and present contributions of the Ute people, and we commit to fostering respect and understanding for Indigenous communities.
Need help paying for AIARE Avalanche Rescue?
We believe avalanche education should be accessible. Financial assistance is available through our VNTRbirds Scholarship Program.
[ APPLY FOR AN AIARE Rescue SCHOLARSHIP → ]
IMPORTANT INFO
Age: All are welcome. Participants must be 18+ or accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Helmet: Helmets are required for all field days.
Inclusive space: LGBTQ+ welcome • BIPOC welcome • Femme-centered
Course commitment: Participants must complete the required self-paced online learning, live online session, and both field days.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Participants are responsible for having the required backcountry equipment for the course, including:
AT skis or splitboard
Avalanche transceiver
Shovel
Probe
Backcountry-specific backpack
Helmet
Appropriate winter clothing and gear
Need avalanche safety gear? A limited number of avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes are available to rent from VNTRbirds and can be added during registration.
All personal equipment must be in good working order.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations made more than 14 days before the course start date are eligible for a full refund, minus a 10% administrative fee.
Cancellations made within 14 days of the course are non-refundable. If space is available, participants may request a one-time transfer to another VNTRbirds course or clinic for a $50 transfer fee.
Cancellations made within 48 hours of the course start time are not eligible for a refund or transfer.
BEFORE YOU JOIN US
All participants must complete the required waiver and medical history form before the course.
We believe avalanche education should be accessible. Financial assistance is available through our VNTRbirds Scholarship Program.
[ APPLY FOR AN AIARE Rescue SCHOLARSHIP → ]
IMPORTANT INFO
Age: All are welcome. Participants must be 18+ or accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Helmet: Helmets are required for all field days.
Inclusive space: LGBTQ+ welcome • BIPOC welcome • Femme-centered
Course commitment: Participants must complete the required self-paced online learning, live online session, and both field days.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Participants are responsible for having the required backcountry equipment for the course, including:
AT skis or splitboard
Avalanche transceiver
Shovel
Probe
Backcountry-specific backpack
Helmet
Appropriate winter clothing and gear
Need avalanche safety gear? A limited number of avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes are available to rent from VNTRbirds and can be added during registration.
All personal equipment must be in good working order.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations made more than 14 days before the course start date are eligible for a full refund, minus a 10% administrative fee.
Cancellations made within 14 days of the course are non-refundable. If space is available, participants may request a one-time transfer to another VNTRbirds course or clinic for a $50 transfer fee.
Cancellations made within 48 hours of the course start time are not eligible for a refund or transfer.
BEFORE YOU JOIN US
All participants must complete the required waiver and medical history form before the course.
Questions before you register?
Not sure if AIARE 1 is the right fit, wondering about gear, or just want to talk it through? Reach out! We're happy to help.
[email protected]
Not sure if AIARE 1 is the right fit, wondering about gear, or just want to talk it through? Reach out! We're happy to help.
[email protected]
VNTRbirds LLC is an equal opportunity service provider and employer.
VNTRbirds LLC operates under special use permit from the USDA Forest Service, White River National Forest.
VNTRbirds LLC operates under special use permit from the USDA Forest Service, White River National Forest.