Guided Mountain Adventures
in the Pacific Northwest and Beyond!
All skill levels welcome, from first-time rock climbers to experienced ski mountaineers!
Popular and Upcoming Programs
Crag Connect
with Portland Area Climbers Coalition
This is an entry-level course for climbers who are new to the world of outdoor rock climbing. It is programmed for climbers who have some experience climbing in the gym, but want to learn how to climb outside safely.
The primary focus of the day is to provide mentorship for those transitioning from the climbing gym to the crag and beyond.
Skills taught in this course
1. Safe belaying techniques
2. Basic anchor building
3. Setting up and cleaning a top rope
4. Leading outside, if applicable
5. Climbing technique
6. Crag etiquette
7. Coiling a rope
Duration: 1 day
Max climber-to-guide ratio: 6:1 with a max group size of 12
Location options: Broughton Bluff, Smith Rock, Horsethief Butte, Ozone, French’s Dome
Course Description
AIARE 1 follows a hybrid model, with approximately 8 hours of self-paced, online coursework followed by two 8-hour days in the field. You will receive access to this approximately 2 weeks before your course.
All of our AIARE Level 1 courses require attendance at an online pre-course meeting 2 evenings before your course start date. For Sat-Sun courses this is typically Thursday evening 6:30-8:30pm. All online learning is due prior to this meeting. Your instructor will reach out before the course with more information.
Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).
Who Should Take this Course
The AIARE 1 is for ANYONE, regardless of method of travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. Participants may have attended some awareness classes or workshops or completed the Avalanche Rescue course, but none are a prerequisite for this course.
Aspiring professionals will need to take the AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue as a prerequisite for the Pro 1 course.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of the AIARE 1 course, the student should be able to:
Develop a plan for travel in avalanche terrain.
Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche terrain.
Effectively use The AIARE Risk Management Framework to make terrain choices in a group setting.
Demonstrate effective companion rescue.
Prerequisites
Students must be able to travel in avalanche terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow to class. There are no other prerequisites.
Prior experience with ski touring is recommended for this course. For a comprehensive introduction to backcountry experience, you can pair this with our Level I: Intro to Backcountry course. These two courses together will prepare you to safely adventure outside the ski resort!
The multi-pitch course is an intermediate-level course focused on the fundamentals of multi-pitch trad climbing. Throughout the two days of hands-on learning, you will gain the experience necessary to efficiently climb hundreds of feet off the ground and get back down safely.
The multi-pitch course is designed as a two-day course to facilitate learning skills and then applying them on a multi-pitch climb with the mentorship of an experienced guide.
Participants are required to have prior experience leading sport climbs, however, we recommend that you have experience leading on traditional gear prior to the course.
Skills taught in this course:
Multi-pitch preparation and strategy
Basic anchor building
Belaying a follower
Transitioning leaders
Rope management
Multiple rappelling techniques
Basic improvised self-rescue
One day, field-based, for travelers with prior training who know that skills don't maintain themselves.
The Evidence For Ongoing Training
The skills you learned in your AIARE 1 course can fade over time. Keep them sharp to keep yourself and your group safe.
In a first-of-its-kind study conducted with Eastern Oregon University, AIARE tracked nearly 1,700 students across three winters and found that those who completed avalanche courses measurably increased the frequency of safe backcountry behaviors — including terrain selection, recognition of unstable conditions, and end-of-day decision review. The Refresher is designed to sustain and deepen that effect over time.
If you’ve never taken a class together before, it’s also a great way to set expectations for your regular touring group.
AIARE continuously refines its curriculum as research evolves. The decision-making frameworks, human factors guidance, and rescue protocols taught today reflect current best practices.
What the course involves
The AIARE 1 Refresher is a one-day, field-based course structured around the AIARE Decision-Making Framework. Students plan and lead a backcountry tour under the guidance of a certified AIARE Instructor, applying each element of the framework in real terrain and conditions.
Online pre-course component: Review terrain management principles, communication strategies, and rescue fundamentals prior to field day.
Full day in the field: Plan and lead a backcountry tour with an AIARE instructor, practicing applied decision-making in real conditions.
Companion rescue practice: Hands-on refinement of beacon search, probing, and shoveling under instructor supervision.
Continued education planning: Students leave with a structured plan for continuing their avalanche education through the season and beyond.
Who should enroll
Backcountry travelers who completed an AIARE 1 or equivalent course but have not practiced formally in one or more seasons
Touring groups seeking to align on communication strategies, risk tolerance, and travel protocols before the season begins
Experienced travelers returning to the backcountry after an extended absence
Prerequisite: Prior completion of an AIARE 1, Avalanche Canada AST 1 + MAT courses, or comparable 24 hour introductory avalanche course is required. Contact your AIARE Provider if you have questions about whether your prior training qualifies.
Koby Yudkin & Ben Lim
From Smith Rock to Mt. Hood and up to Mt. Baker and the North Cascades, we offer guided rock climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing adventures and education, led by Portland’s only AMGA certified guides.
What Our Guests Say
"I scheduled a private backcountry ski day and could not have been more satisfied. Ben was patient, positive, and very knowledgeable in the field. I felt very safe and learned a lot in just one day. I would highly recommend Trillium Alpine Guides to everyone!"
Mary M. - First Tracks
“Koby was an expert in all topics covered. He took extra time to make sure everyone understood the skills being taught. Highlights for me were learning how to set snow anchors and crevasse rescue.”
Leslie F. - Crevasse Rescue Course
"I had a fantastic private ski tour with Ben - he was a great travel partner and we absolutely got the goods! I learn a whole lot of up-track tips & tricks from Ben's expertise. Good turns and smiles were shared!"
Sam R. - Private Backcountry Ski Tour
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