AIARE Launches Free Avalanche Aware Online Program to Make Backcountry Safety Education Accessible to Everyone

October 28, 2025

New online resource developed with CAIC and NWAC helps outdoor enthusiasts learn the fundamentals of avalanche awareness before heading into the mountains.

Crested Butte, Colo. (October 28, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), in collaboration with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) and the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), today announced the launch of Avalanche Aware, a free, online educational program designed to introduce those venturing into the winter backcountry to fundamental avalanche safety concepts.

Whether skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, snowmobiling, climbing, or even walking, avalanches are a risk whenever there is snow on the ground. During the 2024–25 winter season, 22 avalanche fatalities occurred in the United States, impacting communities across the country. Preparation can save lives: Avalanche Aware was developed to close this gap.

“Avalanche Aware was created as a first step in avalanche education,” said Vickie Hormuth, executive director of AIARE. “Many people stepping into the backcountry for the first time don’t know where to begin or understand the importance of avalanche safety. By partnering with two of the country’s preeminent avalanche centers, we combined decades of expertise to build a free, engaging program that meets all types of backcountry recreationalists where they are. Our goal is simple: to make essential avalanche knowledge available to everyone so all types of enthusiasts can explore the mountains safely and responsibly.”

Avalanche Aware: A First Step Toward Safer Backcountry Travel
Avalanche Aware is a free, one-hour self-paced online course that introduces core concepts of avalanche awareness through videos, expert insights, and real-world examples from experienced avalanche practitioners and educators. The program includes five modules: Introduction to Avalanches, Identifying Avalanche Terrain, Recognizing Unstable Snow, Managing Triggers, and Making a Plan to Continue Your Avalanche Education.

The course blends interactive, beginner-friendly lessons with practical takeaways, helping participants build a strong foundation before they head into the mountains. Upon completion, users are connected with local events, entry-level field courses, and additional AIARE training opportunities. Participants leave with the knowledge to find and read their local avalanche forecast, recognize warning signs of unstable snow, and practice identifying where avalanches can happen.

“We’re excited to expand our collaboration with AIARE and NWAC to bring avalanche safety basics to more people,” said Brian Lazar, deputy director of the CAIC. “After reaching hundreds in person over the past two winters, Avalanche Aware opens the door for thousands more to build the same foundation before they step into avalanche terrain.”

“NWAC serves more than 5,000 participants around Washington and Oregon annually with avalanche awareness classes, and we’re excited to have an online supplement to point students toward,” agreed Scott Schell, Executive Director of NWAC.

The collaboration between AIARE, CAIC, and NWAC represents a shared commitment to improving backcountry safety in the mountains. By creating a welcoming, accessible entry into avalanche education, the partners aim to inspire more backcountry enthusiasts to prepare, learn, and continue building the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed decisions before every winter adventure.

Avalanche Aware is available now at www.avalancheaware.com.

About AIARE
About The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE)
Since 1998, AIARE has offered high-quality avalanche education curriculum based on best practices in both snow science and education. With more than 115 providers of AIARE avalanche education across the country, more students use the AIARE recreational curriculum than any other avalanche education in the country—AIARE has served over 130,000 backcountry users since its inception. Over 1,500 AIARE courses are offered across the U.S. annually. To learn more and to sign up for a course, visit www.avtraining.org.

About CAIC:
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is a state agency within the Department of Natural Resources that is dedicated to public avalanche safety across Colorado. Since 1950, avalanches have killed more people in Colorado than any other natural hazard. Our mission is to provide avalanche information, education and promote research for the protection of life, property and the enhancement of the state’s economy. CAIC supports this mission by providing avalanche safety resources statewide, issuing daily avalanche forecasts during the season for around 28,000 square miles of Colorado’s backcountry terrain, and participating in avalanche research projects to advance snow science. Learn more at Colorado.gov/avalanche.

About NWAC
The Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) exists to increase avalanche awareness, reduce avalanche-related impacts, and equip the public with mountain weather and avalanche forecasts, education, and data. NWAC has served the Pacific Northwest since 1975, growing into a vital resource for more than 700,000 backcountry users across Washington and Oregon. NWAC is a private-public partnership. The NWAC Forecasting Program is administered by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the NWAC non-profit exists to provide fundraising, education, and advocacy support. Through expert forecasting, trusted education, and innovative tools, NWAC is dedicated to supporting a growing community of winter backcountry users—from skiers and snowboarders to snowmobilers, snowshoers, and climbers—by helping them make every trip a round trip. Learn more at www.nwac.us