The ITC application window will open for the 2026-27 season in August. In the meantime, you can prepare all materials needed to apply under "Course Prerequisites" below and sign up to be notified about course schedule and registration updates.
25/26 Application Timeline
July - course dates posted
August 1 - applications open @ 9:00am MT
Rolling - AIARE will notify applicants if additional materials are needed
August 23 - applications close @ midnight MT*
*ALL applications submitted within the application period will be considered at the end of the window. Applications submitted earlier do not receive preference. Late applications will be accepted and placed on a space available basis.
September 12 - placement and waitlist notifications sent
September 19 - first course payments ($500 minimum) due and first round of enrollments complete
September 20 forward - any unpaid or forfeited spots offered to waitlisted students*
*Applicants will have one week from when they are contacted to respond and make payment
Course participants will have opportunities to:
- Work with the AIARE curriculum
- Practice and receive feedback on their instructional skills
- Adapt their skills as avalanche professionals to manage risk in an educational context
- Deepen their AIARE curriculum familiarity
- Receive guidance on next steps to continue their development as avalanche educators
Trainees can anticipate up to six hours of pre-course study and preparation. Some ITCs may also hold a virtual pre-course session of up to 2 hours to orient the training process. This sample itinerary provides a general outline of AIARE’s ITC.
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will meet AIARE’s instructor qualifications, and may instruct AIARE 1, AIARE 2, and Avalanche Rescue courses under the supervision of an AIARE Course Leader and in association with an AIARE Provider.*
Individuals assessed as not yet ready to instruct AIARE courses will work with AIARE staff to create an individualized plan to develop the necessary skills. The ITC is not designed to fulfill all the requirements associated with employment by AIARE Providers. AIARE Providers may require additional training and certifications (such as first aid) as well as demonstrated guiding and movement skills as a prerequisite to employment.
*AIARE Instructors who are also Professional members of the A3 may instruct AIARE Rescue courses without the supervision of an AIARE Course Leader.
Course Prerequisites
- Proof of completion or observation of recreational AIARE 1, AIARE 2, and AIARE Avalanche Rescue courses.
- If a course certificate or observation is not displayed in your avtraining.org dashboard, please work directly with the AIARE provider to ensure your name is on the roster.
- For observations, upload a screenshot of your avtraining.org profile showing the relevant observation.
- A note about older courses: Although rescue curriculum was integrated into AIARE 1 and AIARE 2 courses prior to 2017, these courses do not fulfill the AIARE Rescue prerequisite. You must have completed/observed the post-2017, updated AIARE Avalanche Rescue course to satisfy the ITC prerequisites.
- A resume (using AIARE's template) demonstrating five years of backcountry travel experience.
- A PRO 1 certificate (or equivalent [see p.4 here]) from an A3-approved PRO provider.
- The PRO 1 cannot be completed in the same season as an ITC.
- A signed risk acknowledgment waiver
Application Process
The ITC application period opens for three weeks in August. Applications are only reviewed after the application period has closed. In other words, you can apply anytime during the window, and it will not affect your chances of acceptance. Late applications are considered on a space-available basis.
Complete applications–those that meet all prerequisites and provide all information requested on the application form–are prioritized. Those eligible for conditional enrollment will be placed after complete applications. See “What if I haven’t taken/observed one of the AIARE recreational courses?” above.
If an application is missing information, AIARE will notify the applicant as soon as possible with details about what is needed. Incomplete applications generate a big administrative burden for our small office staff. Help us out by ensuring you meet all necessary qualifications before submitting or by providing additional information about any missing prerequisites in your application.
AIARE reviews applications in late August and early September and will notify applicants of their placement by mid-September. Those offered placement will finalize their enrollment by making payment. Students can choose to pay a $500 deposit, 50%, or 100% of the total course cost. Please be aware of AIARE’s cancellation policy, which includes a $250 non-refundable fee. Final payment is due 60 days before the course start date. Scholarships are available. Any applicants who are not placed will be put on a waitlist and notified if spaces become available.