WHEN IS IT TIME TO TAKE AIARE 2?

You keep telling yourself, “I’m not ready for AIARE 2.” But what if that doubt is the best reason to take it? This course isn’t about being an expert—it’s about gaining the skills and confidence to make your own backcountry decisions.

What AIARE 2 Covers

AIARE 1 teaches you to recognize avalanche hazards. AIARE 2 teaches you how to assess terrain, manage risk, and make decisions in real-time. The course focuses on:

• Understanding how terrain influences avalanche hazard and how to apply that knowledge in the field.

• Learning how to track and interpret changing conditions beyond reading the avalanche forecast.

• Practicing group decision-making and leadership, so you’re not following the most experienced person in your group—you’re contributing.
  

How to Know If You’re Ready

That feeling of not being ready is incredibly common when it comes to advancing avalanche education. Many backcountry riders hesitate to take AIARE 2 because they think they need more experience, bigger objectives, or years of decision-making under their belt before they “deserve” the next step. Instead, consider these factors:

You’re Already Thinking Critically About Your Decisions

If you’re questioning whether you’re “there yet,” it likely means you take backcountry safety seriously. That mindset—being aware of what you don’t know—is what makes a great AIARE 2 student. The course isn’t about proving expertise; it’s about sharpening your skills and confidence.

You’ll Gain the Tools to Bridge the Gap

Many riders hold themselves back, thinking they need to “figure it out on their own” before taking AIARE 2. But if you’re already noticing gaps in your knowledge, why wait? The course gives you structure, tools, and mentorship to fill those gaps instead of fumbling through trial and error.

You’re Likely Ready Sooner Than You Think

AIARE 2 isn’t for experts—it’s for backcountry travelers who want to make better decisions, regardless of terrain. It’s for backcountry travelers who want to take more ownership of their decision-making. If you’re touring regularly, assessing terrain, and making choices beyond just following a partner, you’ll get a ton out of it—whether you feel “ready” or not.

The Myth of the Perfect Student

There’s no singular benchmark for when to take AIARE 2. Some people take it after a few seasons, some after a decade. But waiting for some arbitrary level of experience can hold you back more than it helps. The course meets you where you are and builds from there.

That being said, some practical benchmarks are:

• You’ve taken AIARE 1 and Companion Rescue.

• You’re comfortable with your gear, transitions, and basic travel techniques.

• You’ve toured in a variety of conditions—deep pow, firm snow, low visibility, spring melt—and have a baseline for how changing conditions affect terrain choices.

• You’re starting to recognize patterns in avalanche forecasts and real-world conditions.

• You want to contribute to decisions about where to go, what’s safe, and when to turn around instead of just following the group.

• You’re noticing gaps in your knowledge and starting to question the why behind terrain choices, not just the what.
  

Real Voices: Why We Took AIARE 2

Many riders hesitate to take AIARE 2, questioning whether they’re experienced enough. But those who’ve taken the course often say the same thing: they weren’t sure they were ready—until they did it. Here’s what they learned and how it changed their approach to the backcountry.

Overcoming Doubt and Pushing Through Challenges

“I didn’t feel ready because I wasn’t in the best shape physically. My mental health problems cause me to doubt myself in every aspect of my life, so I truly felt like I wouldn’t complete the course. I felt bad for being a slow skin-track partner. The biggest thing that helped me push past those doubts was an instructor telling me that if I was out with my best friend, they wouldn’t be mad at me for moving slowly. That same type of support existed in this course. You just have to keep going when you feel challenged, and don’t be afraid to confide in friends or instructors—they’ll lift you up and help you finish your goals.” – Stevie Phelabaum, VNTRbirds Ambassador

Building Confidence to Make Your Own Decisions

“Taking AIARE 2 made me feel more confident in my decision-making in the backcountry. Over the past few years, I’ve stepped into bigger lines, but I often relied on my partners to lead the decision-making. Spending the weekend understanding the snowpack and navigating more complex terrain helped me feel more independent in how I approach risk—whether that’s reading CAIC reports, assessing the snowpack, or talking through options with my partners.” – Sierra Schlag, Professional Skier

Bridging the Gap Between Ski Patrol and the Backcountry

“As a ski patroller, AIARE 2’s focus on terrain choices, snow science, pit evaluation, and leadership in the backcountry goes hand in hand with patrol work. In my case, it was exactly what I needed to have the pieces come together in terms of rescue, terrain management, and snowpack studies. After years of in-house training, AIARE 2 provided the tools I can bring back to my team on all levels.” – Jeny Russek, Ski Patroller

Expanding Knowledge to Match Growing Experience

“I took my AIARE 1 in 2018 when I first became enamored with backcountry snowboarding. As I gained more experience and confidence, the objectives and approaches became more complex and challenging. I felt a need to better understand the snowpack and factors contributing to risk analysis and decision-making.

The AIARE 2 with VNTRbirds seemed like the perfect next step. The pre-course work helped me review AIARE 1 concepts, and the hands-on field days deepened my understanding. My biggest ‘ah-ha’ moment was about spatial variability—just because two slopes have the same aspect, angle, and elevation doesn’t mean they’ll behave the same. You have to actively observe and challenge your assumptions as you move through terrain.” – Chloe Lewis, VNTRbirds Ambassador

Taking the Next Step

AIARE 2 isn’t about proving anything—it’s about gaining the awareness, decision-making skills, and confidence to take a more active role in backcountry travel.

So, what’s holding you back? Instead of waiting to feel “ready,” take the step that will actually get you there:

• Find a course: [Insert link to VNTRbirds courses]

• Look into funding: Scholarships and grants are available to make avalanche education more accessible. [Insert link to VNTRbirds scholarships]

The mountains won’t wait for you to feel “ready.” But with the right skills, you will be.

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Cassie Wallace (she/her) is a skier, mountain biker, Rider to Racer alumni and software developer that lives in Dillon, CO. She loves learning new things, having a laugh, and suffer-fests.