Avalanche Course Level 2, Colorado

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • AAI trained/qualified Instructor/s
    • Three field days in Estes Park, CO
    • Digital AAI Course Manual
    • AAI Field Book (yours to keep)
    • CMS Field Pencil (yours to keep)
    • 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?

  In order to join this Avalanche Level 2 course in Colorado, Avalanche Level 1 (or equivalent level 1) training as well as AAI Avalanche Rescue course are required!

  These two courses are prerequisites for joining the level 2 course, and it’s also suggested that you’ve had at least a year of backcountry travel experience—though it’s not required. The Avalanche Level 2 provides backcountry travelers the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills in new terrain and/or mountain ranges.

• What are the prerequisites for joining this course?

  In order to join this Avalanche Level 2 course in Colorado, Avalanche Level 1 (or equivalent level 1) training as well as AAI Avalanche Rescue course are required! At least a year of backcountry travel experience is also good to have!

• What will I learn?

  These are the learning outcomes:

  • • Tracking the season snowpack history and link it to relevant snowpack processes and avalanche conditions
    • Weather history, avalanche problems, and stability assessment — create a forecast without a public bulletin
    • Formation of persistent weak layers — facets, depth hoar, surface hoar
    • Wet snow metamorphism
    • Avalanche terrain — large & small scale features
    • Group management in challenging/complex terrain
    • Stability tests — incorporating strength, structure and propagation potential
    • Introduction to SWAG documentation
    • Tour planning
    • Use of the AAI Backcountry Avalanche Checklist as a field tool for sorting & prioritizing information
    • Human factor traps and solutions
    • Case studies with analysis using AAI Backcountry Avalanche Checklist
• 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 these avalanche level 2 courses, the usual instructor-to-student ratio is 1:6.

  Avalanche level 2 courses 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

  To get to Estes Park, CO, the starting point of your avalanche level 2 course, most people fly into Denver International Airport (DEN). 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.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• 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.