Begin your avalanche education with our AIARE 1 program. This three-day course meets the highest standards in avalanche education and provides backcountry skiers and riders with an introduction to avalanche hazard management. The AIARE 1 course provides students with tools for basic tour planning and travel techniques, decision-making in the field, and avalanche rescue techniques.

Join our Women’s Affinity AIARE 1 course and take your first steps towards becoming a confident and informed backcountry traveler. This course is for women (queer, trans, and cis-gendered) aiming to begin their avalanche education journey in a supportive and community-focused learning environment. 

Continue your avalanche education with our AIARE 2 course. This three-day course meets the highest standards in avalanche education and provides backcountry travelers with opportunities to hone their skills in decision making, terrain management, and tour planning. AIARE 2 curriculum provides students with the resources and tools necessary to become strong leaders within their touring group.

Continue your avalanche education with our Women’s Affinity AIARE 2 course. This course is for women (queer, trans, and cis-gendered) who are ready to deepen their understanding of the avalanche phenomenon and hone their skills in decision making, terrain management, and tour planning. 

The Steep Ski and Snowboard Mountaineering Course is the perfect introduction to secure, efficient and fun travel in high angle terrain. This three-day program introduces advanced students to the gear, technical skills and travel practices that you need to push into the terrain you’ve been dreaming of riding. 

Hone your avalanche rescue skills with our AIARE Rescue Course. This one-day course meets the highest standards in avalanche education and provide backcountry skiers and riders with skills to get out into the backcountry with respect and appropriate caution.

Our alumni mentorship program offers deeply discounted guided days in the backcountry for our course alums, focused on furthering your understanding of avalanche safety and backcountry decision making and answering questions that have emerged since your last avalanche course.

Our four-day itinerary covers the gear, technical skills and travel practices that you need to explore the glaciated lines you’ve been dreaming of. The course culminates in a summit ski descent of Mount Baker by a classic route.

Get a strong and fun start to your backcountry skiing or riding career with an introductory level course with Cascade Mountain Ascents. Our one-day Intro to Backcountry course teaches students how to choose and use their gear, travel up and downhill, and plan a day of backcountry skiing or riding.

Record snowfall and world class terrain are just the beginning when you get out in the Baker Backcountry. Leave the lifts behind and join us for a day in the mountains, sniffing out the best snow and riding your dream terrain. Whether you’re looking for hot laps near the car or a loop tour deep in the backcountry, your guides at Cascade Mountain Ascents would love to share our backyard with you.

Not all AIARE 2 Avalanche Courses are created equal… This four-day, hut-based AIARE 2 offers a fully immersive experience where students hone their skills in decision making, terrain management, and tour planning in a venue that offers unparalleled access to some of the best terrain Washington has to offer.