AIARE 1 – Avalanche Course for Skiers and Splitboarders

Please make sure you bring all the items on the equipment list. We have selected
these items with great care to give everyone the best chance of staying dry and
warm. The weather can be stormy at any time of year. Please call us if you have any
questions.

CLOTHING:

• Light or medium weight long underwear top – polypropylene or capilene (ex: Men’s Ortovox Base Layers, Women’s Ortovox Base Layers)
• Light or medium weight long underwear bottom – polypropylene or capilene (ex: Men’s Ortovox Base Layers, Women’s Ortovox Base Layers)
• Lightweight fleece (ex: Men’s Ortovox Hoodies and Fleece Jackets, Women’s Ortovox Hoodies and Fleece Jackets)or Softshell Jacket (ex: Men’s Ortovox Softshell Jackets, Women’s Ortovox Softshell Jackets)
• Down or synthetic insulated jacket (ex: Men’s Ortovox Zinal Jacket, Women’s Ortovox Zinal Jacket)
• Waterproof/breathable (Goretex or equivalent) pants or bibs (Men’s Ortovox Hardshell Pants, Women’s Ortovox Hardshell Pants)
• Waterproof/breathable (Goretex or equivalent) shell jacket with hood (ex: Men’s Ortovox Hardshell Jacket, Women’s Ortovox Hardshell Jacket)
• Warm socks – wool or wool/synthetic blend (ex: Men’s Ortovox Socks, Women’s Ortovox Socks)
• 1 Medium weight pair of gloves (ex: Men’s Ortovox Mountain Glove, Women’s Ortovox Mountain Glove)
• 1 Heavy waterproof pair gloves or mittens (ex: Men’s Ortovox Freeride Mitten, Women’s Ortovox Freeride Mitten)
• Heavy polar fleece or wool hat (ex: Men’s Ortovox Hats and Neckwarmers, Women’s Ortovox Hats and Neckwarmers)
• Buff, neck gaiter or balaclava (ex: Men’s Ortovox Neckwarmers, Women’s Ortovox Neckwarmers)

PERSONAL GEAR:

• 30-40 liter Ski Pack for one day trips (ex: Ortovox Ascent 32)
• Sun visor or ball cap (ex: Outdoor Research Hats)
• Good quality sunglasses
• Ski goggles (ex: Julbo Goggles)
• Sun block & lip crème (SPF 15 or more)
• Toilet paper
• Two 1 liter water bottles (ex: Nalgene)
• Lunch and snacks for each day

RESCUE GEAR: All gear must be requested more than 7 days in advance!

• Avalanche transceiver with good batteries (available to rent from OSG)
• Shovel (available to rent from OSG)
• Avalanche probe (available to rent from OSG)

SKI GEAR

• Touring Skis or Splitboard
• Touring ski boots
• Ski poles
• Climbing skins, ski crampons recommended sometimes
• Ski helmet (recommended)

GEAR NEEDED FOR OVERNIGHT/CAMPING TRIPS:

• Headlamp (ex: Petzl Headlamps)
• Eating utensils (bowl, spoon, & cup) 
• Sleeping pad (ex: Thermarest NeoAir)
• Sleeping bag – down or synthetic (rated 0 to 20 degrees F)
• Good quality overnight pack: 60 liter capacity is large enough. This pack should have ice axe and crampon
  attachments, should be a tall thin profile. Stay away from wide large packs, with lots of bells and whistles.

TECHNICAL CLIMBING GEAR: (for advanced objectives) All gear must be requested more than 7 days in advance!

• Crampons (necessary on some trips, available to rent from OSG) (ex: Petzl Vasak)
• Ice axe(s) (50cm to 65cm) long (necessary on some trips, available to rent from OSG) (ex: Petzl Summit)
• Harness (necessary on some trips, available from OSG, only provided upon request!) (ex: Edelrid Loopo Lite, Petzl Altitude)

Oregon Ski Guides reserves the right to cancel or modify a trip due to circumstances beyond our control, including COVID, world events and acts of God. Payments are always non-refundable, even under these circumstances.

• A 20% deposit per booking is required to reserve your trip. This deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances because we begin to spend this money on your behalf right away.
• Full payment is due 60 days before your program’s start date. This payment is non-refundable under all circumstances. No cancellations, group-size changes, or date-changes are allowed after this date. (International programs are due in full 120 days prior to start date.)
• Date-change requests are subject to availability and cost $50 per booking. Date-changes are not allowed within 60 days of your program’s start date, and your new date must be within the same calendar year.

We adhere to these policies under all circumstances, and therefore we recommend that you purchase trip/travel insurance or wait to register until closer to your desired date.

Private Group Registration: If you plan to schedule a private ski trip, the Group Leader will be responsible for all deposits and payments for the entire group. Each individual must still complete our Registration Form. We require younger skiers (under 16 years) to join us in a private setting.

Inclement Weather: Challenging weather conditions are often a part of skiing in the mountains. Oregon Ski Guides will lead your ski tour in any weather conditions, although there is no guarantee that we will reach our destination.

• Once a trip begins, there are no refunds or date-changes available due to bad weather.
• Regardless of the forecasted weather, we are unable to offer refunds, exchanges or rainchecks in the weeks or days before a scheduled trip.
• We will uphold our cancellation policies in all cases.

Turning around: The guide will make a decision to turn back if they feel that the group is being placed in jeopardy. We are not in a position to evaluate your fitness level. Our guides can only make decisions based on the speed and coordination of the team relative to current conditions and forecasted weather. If you have any chronic health conditions, please consult your doctor before signing up for any trip.

Skier-to-Guide Ratios: Each skier program has a maximum climber-to-guide ratio, listed at the bottom of the program description. These ratios are determined based on the hazard exposure and the limitations of protection systems that we employ. For that reason, our guides will not exceed this ratio in technical terrain. Private Guides are available for anyone concerned about skiing with unknown partners.

Acknowledgement of Risk Forms: At the start of your program you will be asked to sign an Acknowledgement of Risk form. We recommend that you take the time to read this form prior to arriving, and we invite you to call our office in advance if you have any questions about it. Skiing, climbing and mountaineering involve inherent risks  – many that we can manage to a degree – some that are beyond our control. By signing, you assume responsibility for all the risks associated with this activity, and you acknowledge the hazards that are beyond our control. We do not assume liability for injuries or death. All participants are completely responsible for all medical and hospital costs associated with any injury, rescue or evacuation. You go at your own risk.

Backcountry Skiing and Ski Mountaineering are demanding activities and are very serious undertakings. The more prepared you are, the more enjoyable your trip will be. Being physically fit is very important, and can make dealing with hazards less dangerous. All participants must be free of medical or physical conditions that could create undue risk to themselves or to others that depend on them. Our programs operate in remote locations where advanced medical care and evacuation may not be available for hours or days.

On some trips you will be carrying heavy loads. Sleeping and eating conditions on overnight trips are not always ideal. Weather is often unpredictable and may disrupt climbing and skiing. The mountain environment can be very changeable, and you must be prepared for any weather. In the Oregon Cascades, you will be climbing at altitudes up to 11,245 feet.

You must prepare yourself mentally and physically for the many challenges. It will all be worthwhile.

Medical Considerations

If you have had a recent injury, illness, or surgery, or if you have a medical condition such as asthma or allergies to food or medications, you should consult with us as well as your physician before signing up for any trip. If there is any doubt as to your ability to participate in this activity, you should have a physical examination by a physician.

Personal Responsibility

We make every effort to provide you with a successful ski trip. Backcountry Skiing and Ski Mountaineering involve inherent risks that are beyond our control. You will assume the responsibility for many decisions affecting the safety of your trip. We do not assume liability for injuries or death. All participants are completely responsible for all medical and hospital costs associated with any injury, rescue or evacuation. You must sign a release form and go at your own risk.

If you are interested in rescue insurance you may want to check with the American Alpine Club and their Global Rescue Service.

Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions:

What level of skier do I need to be in order to participate?

All of our skiing will occur in non-groomed snow conditions. Therefore, it is advisable that you are able to link turns in off-piste or non-groomed conditions, on a variety of slopes. This translates into Intermediate or Expert ski runs at a ski resort.

Do I really need all the items on the equipment list?

Yes. We have selected the gear required for your program with great care in the hope that we will be prepared for any weather conditions. It can snow at any time of year in the mountains.

What kind of physical conditioning should I be doing to prepare?

Most backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering challenges involve long duration and medium to low intensity. All of our ski trips require very good physical fitness. To participate in any of our ski mountaineering trips, you should be able to hike or climb for 5 to 6 hours with a 20 to 40 pound pack and ascend 3,000 to 4,000 feet of vertical gain per day.

In order to prepare for such a feat, you should be exercising 3 to 4 times per week for at least one hour per session. We recommend doing long hikes on your days off that are at least 6-8 hours long and involve at least 3,000 vertical feet of ascent and descent.

The guide will make a decision to turn back if he feels the ski tour has been placed in jeopardy. We are not in a position to evaluate your fitness level, so it is up to you to evaluate it. If you are overweight or are in poor health, please consult your doctor before signing up for any trip.

Do I tip my guides?

While it is not required,  it is customary to tip your guide if you feel they did a standout job.