Avalanche Rescue Course
What’s This Course All About?
Think of it as “Day 2” of an AIARE course—focused entirely on avalanche rescue skills—without the certification hassle or the big price tag.
This is where things get real. We’re talking hands-on, practical training that could save a life (or maybe multiple lives).
No lectures.
No slideshows.
Just you, your beacon, and real-life rescue scenarios designed to build confidence when it matters most.
Whether you’re new to avalanche safety, need a skills refresher, or want to level up your response time, this course will help you feel prepared, capable, and in control when faced with an avalanche emergency.
2025 Dates
February 23, 2025
March 8, 2025 (Co-ed, great for couples)
$100
Trip Length
1/2 Day
Group Size
2-8
Destinations
Truckee - Tahoe Region
Don’t see the dates you are looking for?
Sign up to be notified when new dates are released or book a private guide to get the trip of your dreams.
Women’s Avalanche Rescue Class
The Avalanche Rescue workshop is a half-day class, specifically designed for both newcomers and returning attendees.
Every second counts in an avalanche burial. The difference between life and death often comes down to how fast and effectively you can respond.
Knowing how to use your gear isn’t enough—you need to practice it until it’s second nature.
This course gives you the space to do exactly that.
This course is geared towards those that have taken an Avalanche Awareness course and already know how to use a beacon, probe and shovel so that attendees can delve into more advanced topics and engage in realistic scenarios to enhance their abilities.
We highly recommend taking our Avalanche Awareness Course the day before and joining our Avalanche Skills Tour to put it all into use. Book all three avalanche courses and save $50.
Alpinistas Adventures avalanche education programs are designed to mirror the components of national certificate courses, like AIARE, but without the cost or certificate—perfect for those new to backcountry travel, budget-conscious adventurers, or anyone seeking a refresher. Taught by AIARE-trained professional mountain guides, our courses deliver expert instruction to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate avalanche terrain safely and effectively.
-
9:00am - Meet your guide in the field at the designated trailhead & check-in.
We’ll perform a gear check and then begin our class.
11:30 AM - Break for Lunch
11:50 AM - We’ll continue rescue skill building through different scenarios over the afternoon.
1:30 PM Get back to the trailhead. Debrief of the day and discuss hi-lights, areas for improvement, goals, and next steps for progressing your outdoor skills.
-
Skills Clinic: minimal wilderness touring, no ski/splitboard touring experience required but avalanche awareness and experience using a beacon, probe & shovel is required.
This trip is rated Beginner +. Although this is a novice skills day, the participants should have good fitness. We will be practicing rescue techniques in the snow all day but with plenty of rest breaks.
We expect to be on the snow near the trailhead so estimate about 1-2 miles of travel over the course of the day.
We recommend that you stay well hydrated and fed prior to departure to assist in mitigating altitude sickness if you are coming from sea level.
-
Included in your booking:
Professional AMGA/AIARE Guide
4:1 client to guide ratio with a max group size of 8 clients, 2 guides
Group safety gear & first aid kit
Permit fees
Special discount to shop at the Alpinistas store
Not included:
Food & beverages
Guide gratuities
Required gear, see in below section (available for rent when checking out)
Avalanche beacon, probe & shovel
Personal items
-
On Field Session
Effective strategies for using your avalanche rescue gear, including beacons, shovels, and probes.
Techniques for both companion and small team rescues.
Understanding the role of terrain in avalanche scenarios and leveraging it to your advantage.
Key steps to take if you find yourself caught in an avalanche.
Immediate actions to undertake if your partner is caught in an avalanche.
The latest developments in rescue equipment technology.
Conducting a visual search, using your transceiver effectively, and spot probing techniques.
Practical advice for maximizing the efficiency of your rescue gear.
Gear List
Layering is the key to staying comfortable while being active outdoors. The secret to achieving maximum comfort with minimum weight is to bring versatile layers that can be mixed and matched to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation, and weather protection.
When packing, try to bring only what you need. This not only makes your load lighter but also helps our amazing field staff.
If you've already booked your trip, don't worry! You’ll be getting emails with a detailed list of what you'll need to bring (plus tons of other helpful information).
Are you looking to reduce your carbon footprint or save some money? Check out our shop at Alpinistas and the Re-Cover department for gently used gear online.
Get ready to conquer the outdoors, Alpinistas! We can't wait to see you on the trail.
-
Backcountry skis or splitboard & related gear (while not required, it is ideal to train with this equipment for the best “real life scenario” experience.). Snowshoes may be accepted.
Waterproof/Winter Snow Boots
(Fashion winter boots without a durable sole make for active use are prohibited.)
Backcountry touring pack that can fit your avalanche safety equipment
Avalanche beacon, probe & shovel
Technical jacket, pants or bibs that are water resistant
Base Layer Tops and Bottoms (Lightweight, Synthetic or Wool)
Midlayer options
Waterproof/Water Resistant Gloves
Beanie
Hiking Socks (Synthetic or Wool)
Sunblock, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF
Water (1.5-2.5 liters) or Hydration System
Electrolytes, snacks, lunch for the day
Personal Bathroom Kit: Toilet Paper, Ziplock Bags, Personal Wipes, Hand Cleaner - Pack it all out.
-
This will be nice for you to have:
Snowshoes, touring skis or splitboard - but not required.
Fleece/Wool or Lightweight Gloves
Hat, Bandana or Buff for Sun Protection
Hot beverage in thermos
Extra socks
Have questions about the gear list?
Give us a call at 775-230-7125 or send us a chat or email.
Helpful for booking
What to expect after you book your reservation
After you book your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email. Over the following weeks as you start to get closer to your event date, you will receive additional emails confirming packing lists, itinerary details and other important or helpful supplemental information such as video course, start time and driving directions. The week of the event, you should be ready to go and you will receive a final email introducing your guides, providing you with their contact information and other last minute notes.
Your event does require a certain minimum number of participants to run. Don’t worry though, our group size is naturally quite small to keep it special and relaxing experience so the minimum booking requirement is also lower than other guide services.
What is the closest airport?
Sacramento, California
Reno, Nevada
Booking airfare?
If you are flying in for this trip, please contact us before booking airfare to make sure that your trip is confirmed. We require a minimum number of participants to operate.
General weather expectations
Mountaineering trips take place in the snow. Tahoe daytime temperatures can range vastly during the winter and spring season. You may encounter freezing temperatures in the early morning or very warm temperatures during the day. We highly recommend wearing layers to accommodate changing temperatures.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend travel insurance to protect your trip in the event unforeseeable circumstances or illness comes up that interferes with your ability to join the trip.
“Dear women adventurers of all skill levels, you need to take a trip with Alpinistas! I just returned from the Cold Weather Skills workshop in Yosemite and I've learned more in three days than I have in all my years of hiking and camping. It's so rare to find guiding experiences that are fun, connect you with likeminded folks, AND equip you with a ton of new skills.”
— Ashley
“I had the absolute best experience on a rock climbing trip with Joanne! Every part of the weekend was fantastic - the camping experience was wonderful, the guides were knowledgeable and kept everyone safe, and the climbing was so much fun! I'm looking forward to future trips with Alpinistas, and love the work they are doing in making outdoor education more accessible to women!”
- Rebecca
What People Are Saying about Alpinistas
“The women I met that weekend were so amazing for their love of the outdoors, their curiosity, and their tenacious spirits. I learned so much from our skilled guides who made us feel safe to ask any and all questions regardless of how silly they might be. Thank you Alpinistas for a truly amazing weekend! I can’t wait for the next adventure 🏕️”
— Katarina
“I joined a Cold Weather course and winter camping weekend with them in Yosemite and absolutely love it! The guides are passionate about what they are teaching us, they are so supportive, and the event was organized so well.”
- Ashley-Marie