PSA: AIARE avalanche courses at Lake Tahoe Community College

Posting as I know many here are also into BC skiing. Last year I took a great AIARE level 1 course at LTCC. You pay the standard LTCC fee per credit hour: I think I paid something like 50 or 80 bucks for the 3-day course, significantly cheaper that I was able to find anywhere else. I also thought the quality of instruction was top-notch: the instructors were a mix of guides and ski patrollers that really knew their stuff.

The AIARE 1 class includes both classroom and outdoor components. At the end of it you do get the official certificate, if that matters to you.

The courses are in the "wilderness education" major. I think the AIARE level 1 course is course number WLD 128B, and there are others there that may be of interest. If I remember correctly, the AIARE 1 course was offered most weekends January through March last year, but spaces are limited. A lot of the slots got filled up pretty quickly, but the waiting list moves pretty quickly too.

Take a look at the course catalog here ltcc.edu/data/Academics/201…, page 246 for the avy classes.

If you want to register, you need to "apply" for LTCC, and a few days later you'll get online credentials you can use to log in and register for the classes. Registration last year opened sometime in early December.

did this many years ago...

actually was able to have BOGFW/FAFSA pay for it.

I didn't do my AIARE cert through LTCC but I've met plenty of people who have and they all say that it is an excellent class with good instruction and CHEAP. Because of that it is hard to get into.

As a side note, register early for this. I've tried twice and have been 20 something on the wait list both times.