The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE)
The AIARE organization provides avalanche education to more backcountry travelers than any other single avalanche education organization in the U.S. AIARE draws on input from our 250 instructors across the nation. Whether you take an AIARE course in New Hampshire or California, the learning outcomes are the same. Instructors are encouraged to personalize their courses with local anecdotal and case study information, however the learning outcomes for each topic must be met. If you decide to take an AIARE Level 2 in Washington after taking your AIARE Level 1 in Colorado, you enter that course with the pre-requisite knowledge as the AIARE courses build on each other, from Level 1 through Level 3. Link: www.avtraining.org
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC)
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is a program within the Colorado Department of Natural Resources that produces statewide avalanche forecasts and information for Colorado. Link: www.avalanche.state.co.us
National Avalanche Center (NAC)
The National Avalanche Center is a great resource for recreationalists and avalanche professionals. The site provides links to all U.S. avalanche centers, accident databases, and educational links ranging from awareness information to PHD level papers and projects. Link: https://avalanche.org/
The American Avalanche Association
The American Avalanche Association (AAA) is comprised of a collective group of dedicated professionals engaged in the study, forecasting, control and mitigation of snow avalanches. Association membership includes qualified researchers, professional avalanche forecasters, educators, guides, snow safety officers, snow rangers and qualified ski patrollers, technicians and specialists. Link: www.americanavalancheassociation.org
The Canadian Avalanche Association
The Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit, non-government organization that serves and supports the diverse community of professional avalanche operations in Canada. The programs and services of the CAA help to create and foster a world-class professional operating environment for front-line avalanche safety operations in Canada. Link: www.avalanche.ca
The American Mountain Guides Association
The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) is a non-profit organization that seeks to represent the interests of AMGA members by providing support, education, and professional standards. Link: www.amga.com
Irwin Guides
Irwin Guides offers a Level 1, Level 2 and Refresher courses throughout the winter right here in Crested Butte. All of Irwin Guides’ instructors are AIARE trained and certified. Link:Â http://irwinguides.com/