American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education

More Coloradans are entering the winter backcountry every season, and more people means increased likelihood of avalanche accidents occurring. 

The good news? Recreating in the backcountry can be fun and safe! Over 34 providers, including 9 universities and colleges, deliver AIARE curriculum to backcountry users across Colorado. Donating to AIARE this Colorado Gives Day ensures AIARE has the resources we need to develop and refine the educational materials that keep backcountry enthusiasts safe and informed. 

If that wasn't enough, did you know:

• AIARE provided $14,400 in grants to support workforce development for AIARE providers to ensure YOU have access to AIARE courses across the state. 
• Over 350 instructors and course leaders live and work in Colorado.
• We recently partnered with CAIC to develop a new Avalanche Aware Curriculum that will be used to educate K-12 graders and new backcountry-curious riders across the state.

Everyone who donates to AIARE this year will receive a special gift! The first 100 gifts over $100 will receive a limited edition AIARE-branded Skida Buff with artwork from Anne Chase.

Testimonials

I love and work with AIARE because education is one of the foundational principles of life. When it comes to the backcountry, I'm forever a student, I'm always learning. And AIARE provides the tools necessary to become better at what we do on snow! 
—Chris Davenport, 2x World Champion, Ski Mountaineer Guide, Member of the US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame

When I was going through my mountain guide education, AIARE was the standard to obtain for my professional education. Moving forward from my own courses as a student, I loved becoming an instructor and sharing the knowledge of how to make good decisions in the terrain and how to safely gain mountain sense. The mountains themselves provide us with a lifelong education in every experience we have out there. But it's necessary to have courses where people can trust the quality of the material so they can learn certain lessons without risking their lives. AIARE does a great job at providing just that.
—Erin Smart, IFMGA Mountain Guide, AIARE Instructor

What I really appreciate about AIARE is that it works to create curriculum with a clear mission. The programming is designed to be easy to understand, digestible, and with a focus on a repeatable approach to avalanche education that creates good habits for the way real people actually want to recreate. As a snowmobiler, I also appreciate AIARE's inclusive spirit, which allows more people like myself to get involved and to go beyond Rec-level education. AIARE has done a phenomenal job with outreach to the snowmobile community and developing snowmobile-specific avalanche education by developing a roadmap for a progressive path towards professional level certification. AIARE recognizes that with the explosion of winter backcountry recreation industries, it is critical to reach many people, who participate via many modes of travel, in a very short period of time. This inclusive approach allows them to do just that. It's my pleasure and an honor to be a part of an organization like this, and they are a perfect alignment with the mission and values of my organization. 

—Jon Miller, Founder & CEO, Backcountry United