Avalanche Education
Three Sisters Backcountry offers high-quality avalanche education in one of the best classrooms in the Pacific Northwest.
Since 2001, we have been delivering professional, experience-driven avalanche education in the Central Oregon Cascades. Our yurt-based and field-based AIARE courses at Tam McArthur Rim combine exceptional terrain, seasoned instructors, and a learning environment designed to challenge and inspire motivated backcountry travelers.
Why Learn with Three Sisters Backcountry?
Proven Instruction:
AIARE and AMGA trained course instructors
Instruction grounded in decision-making, pattern recognition, and terrain management
Small class sizes and low instructor-to-student ratios
Exceptional Classroom:
This course spends more time in terrain dialing in decision making and terrain recognition.
While Tam MacArthur Rim is where most of our courses are hosted, we also offer Avalanche Courses in the Santiam Pass wilderness. It is another great area to garner real experience moving, making decisions, and learning in a variety of avalanche terrain.
Our courses are ideal for students who want more than a checkbox certification of completion—they want meaningful learning, confidence, and mentorship that carries forward into real-world touring.
Why choose an AIARE course provider?
The Classroom: Tam McArthur Rim
Tam McArthur Rim offers one of the most dynamic avalanche learning environments in Central Oregon.
Elevation: 6,500’ to over 8,000’
Terrain: Open glades, small bowls, large cirques, and alpine features
Aspects: Primarily NW, N, NE, E
Avalanche Problems (most common): Wind Slab, Storm Slab, Cornices, Dry-Loose, and Wet Loose.
This terrain rewards strong travel skills and thoughtful decision-making. It is best suited for students who want to get into higher elevations with more dependable snowpacks in the PNW.
Ready to Learn?
If you’re ready to invest in high-level avalanche education in a terrain-rich environment—guided by the highest quality instructors in Oregon—Three Sisters Backcountry invites you to join us at Tam McArthur Rim and Santiam Pass.
Learn more. Ask questions. Build confidence.
📧 info@threesistersbackcountry.com
Yurt-Based Learning Experience
Three Sisters Backcountry offers both Yurt-based, overnight courses as well as traditional, non-overnight courses.
Our yurt-based courses offer an immersive, community-focused learning environment that maximizes time in the terrain and out riding.
Yurt Amenities
Custom welded bed frames with comfortable single mattresses
Well-stocked kitchen with a 3 burner propane stove (pots, pans, utensils, bowls, plates, mugs)
Cleaning supplies provided
Wood Stove, Outdoor fire pit, and Pre-chopped firewood (students may make kindling as needed)
Sauna access
Shuttle included for yurt-based programs
What to Bring:
Meals and snacks
Spices, coffee, tea
Personal food and storage (small plastic tote or cooler recommended)
2026/2027 Avalanche Courses
AIARE Rescue Course - 1 Day
Our 1-day Avalanche Rescue is suitable for everybody. This course is intended to keep participants up to date on best practices and most importantly, to practice the skills. Think of your CPR and First Aid skills; when a challenging situation appears, you want to have applicable training and knowledge with you to best respond in any emergency.
The topics covered may vary based on experience. New participants will be introduced to the components of companion rescue with a focus on practicing. Returning students will be challenged to expand their skills by through multiple rescue scenarios, avalanche risk assessment, and decision-making.
Every participant will have the opportunity for practice, feedback, and reflection. Students will receive a card at the end of the training recognizing their course completion.
AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a prerequisite for AIARE 2 and Pro 1 courses.
*This course is recommended every 3 years as a refresher.
Dates - Click the button below and select your desired AIARE Course to see available dates.
Cost $225
Yurt-Based AIARE 1 + Avalanche Rescue
4 Days / 3 Nights: Overnight Course (Thursday–Sunday)
$1,150 total/person
Maximum 10 students per weekend
Includes: - Snowmobile Shuttle - All yurt amenities - Sauna - Kitchen - Field instruction from highly experienced & accredited guides in avalanche terrain - Access to discounted guide/shadow/mentor days
Prerequisites:
Three Sisters Intro to Backcountry Clinic or experience with your touring equipment, moving in backcountry terrain.
Additional Note: AIARE 1 + Rescue is required for AIARE 2 and Pro 1 pathways
Dates: - January 28–31, 2027 & February 25–28, 2027
This course delivers instruction about potential backcountry hazards, assessing avalanche risk, and builds a foundation for the aspiring professional.
We cover companion rescue, tour planning, weather and avalanche forecasts, decision making, red flags, avalanche problems, terrain management, and teach you how to become a better overall backcountry rider and partner.
Certified through the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE)
Follows the American Avalanche Association (AAA) Guidelines
Meets American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Standards
AIARE 1 + Avalanche Rescue (Non Yurt-Based)
3 Days
$750 total/person
No overnight lodging
You will be shuttled into the backcountry via snowmobile
Course itinerary and education is the same as above. The only difference is the overnight experience.
Dates: Click the button below and select your desired AIARE Course to see available dates.
AIARE 2 Course
The objective of the AIARE 2 is to learn how to manage uncertainty in avalanche terrain. This 3 day course is for those who have taken an AIARE 1 & Avalanche Rescue, and have had at least one year of backcountry travel experience. The AIARE 2 provides backcountry coaching & mentorship in the application of The AIARE Framework in new terrain and situations.
We cover rescue, tour planning, weather and avalanche forecasts, decision making, red flags, avalanche types & risk, terrain management, and detailed snowpack profiles. This course goes deeper based on previous experience and knowledge from AIARE 1 courses.
Certified through the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE)
Follows the American Avalanche Association (AAA) Guidelines
Meets American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Standards
This is a non-yurt based course. We do include snowmobile shuttles from the SnoPark into the backcountry terrain with special use permit access.
Pre-requisites: AIARE 1 Course, Rescue Course
Cost: $575 for 2 days of instruction.
Dates: Click the button below and select your desired AIARE Course to see available dates.