Avalanche Course Level 1, Colorado

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • AAI trained/qualified Instructor/s
    • 2 virtual meetings and two field days in Estes Park or Fisco, CO
    • Digital AAI Course Manual
    • AAI Backcountry Checklist
    • AAI Certificate of Completion provided by AAI
    • Friends of CAIC Trailhead Membership ($35 value)
    • Use of Backcountry Access Avalanche Equipment during course
      • BCA Beacon
      • BCA Shovel
      • BCA Probe
      • Snowshoes

  Not included:

  • • Food
    • Transportation
    • Lodging
    • Clothing, backpack and non-technical personal items
    • Skiing / splitboarding equipment
    • Trip Insurance
    • Expenses due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of
    • Colorado Mountain School
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel and medical insurance — optional
• How fit do I need to be and do I need any experience?

  This avalanche level 1 course in Colorado is for anyone, regardless of method of travel—this course can be taken on AT skis, splitboard, or snowboard with snowshoes.

  If you’re taking the course on snowshoes, no experience is necessary. If you’re joining the course on a ski or splitboard touring setup, your guides ask that you have prior experience touring, comfortable in steep blue to black terrain.

  This course is ideal for those who may have attended some awareness classes or workshops or completed the Avalanche Rescue course, but none are a prerequisite for this course!

• What will I learn?

  At the end of this avalanche level 1 course, you should be able to…

  • • Interpret the avalanche forecast bulletin and choose appropriate avalanche terrain for the day
    • Use the Backcountry Avalanche Checklist in the field to provide a system for prioritizing information, working as a team, and minimizing possible human factor traps
    • Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche terrain
    • Demonstrate effective companion rescue
    • Understand avalanche terminology
    • Recognize and identify avalanche terrain
    • Understand safe travel best practices in avalanche terrain
    • Be able to identify major layers mountain snowpack
    • Understand how weather changes the snowpack
    • Understand human factors and how they can influence decision-making
    • Know how to make and communicate field observations of terrain, snowpack, and weather
    • Be familiar with the basic use and interpretation of stability tests.
• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel — included in the price of the tour, but feel free to bring your own
    • Day pack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 20-40L bag)
    • Ski helmet
    • Ski or snowboard boots
    • Skis or splitboard
    • Ski or trekking poles
    • Ski straps
    • Climbing skins
    • Baselayer bottoms & lightweight baselayer top
    • Midweight baselayer top
    • Softshell and fleece jacket
    • Synthetic or down puffy jacket
    • Waterproof shell jacket
    • Hardshell pants
    • Synthetic or merino wool socks
    • Headlamp
    • Lightweight gloves
    • Midweight softshell gloves
    • Heavyweight waterproof gloves
    • Beanie of fleece hat
    • Neck gaiter
    • Compass
    • Goggles
    • Toe warmers and hand heaters
    • First aid kit — optional
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder
    • Hot drinks (thermos)
    • Food — proper prepped lunches (sandwich, burrito, pizza, etc.), along with an assortment of snack bars, gels, or trail mixes
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • Toiletries (sunscreen 30 or higher, SPF lip balm, hand wipes, wag bags, toilet paper, etc.)
    • Sunhat and sunglasses
    • Mechanical pencil — optional
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this avalanche course level 1 in Colorado, the usual instructor-to-student ratio is 1:6.
    • Avalanche courses in Colorado can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the course on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
    • If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
• Getting there and meeting location

  Avalanche course level 1 is being held at 2 locations in Colorado: either Estes Park or Frisco. To get there, most people fly into Denver International Airport (DEN). Depending on whether you’re going to Estes Park or Frisco, it will take you anywhere between an hour and two to get there.

  Your first field day starts at 8am, so make sure to get there at least a day prior to that.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Full payment is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If you cancel the booking…

  • • More than 30 days before the departure date, you can reschedule your course to another available date, receive a full credit for a future course/trip by the guide, or a 90% refund.
    • 7-29 days before the departure date, you can either reschedule to another available date or receive a credit for a future course/trip by the guide, minus a 10% administrative fee.
    • Within 7 days of the departure date, no refund will be issued.

  Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.