Three-Day Intro to Managing Avalanche Hazard

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Learn. Practice. Stay Alive.

Traveling in the backcountry requires a solid understanding of avalanche risk and the knowledge to mitigate these risks through appropriate terrain assessment and decision making. Colorado is home to one of the most complex snowpacks in the entire world, and people come from all across the globe to study the snowpack here. Our local team of AIARE-certified leaders and instructors have an intimate relationship with the local terrain and snowpack conditions where we operate & will teach you how to recognize, manage, and minimize these hazards, and to reduce risks. Avalanche Safety education is the core of our winter operations and we are pleased to offer education in six Colorado Counties, including ski resort-based and hut-based courses.

Our Resort Based Lift-Accessed AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course will be operated out of the Winter Park Ski Resort and is a traditional in-person classroom format that combines pre-course e-learning, classroom, and field instruction to introduce participants to the hazards of traveling in avalanche terrain. All of our Level 1 courses will include 24 hours of coursework at a minimum, and two days on snow.

As an Ortovox Safety Academy partner, our AIARE courses include the complimentary use of Ortovox avalanche safety equipment like their Diract Voice beacon, a shovel like their Beast, an ALU probe, and an Ortovox backpack designed to hold them for easy access.

We make sure that you get the education that you need, and we don’t cut corners in delivering the best training to maximize your benefit!

Winter Park Resort, Grand County, CO We have partnered with Winter Park Ski Resort to offer lift-accessed AIARE 1 courses! These courses will follow our 3-day format like other courses. The field days will be based out of the resort where the team will use lifts to access terrain not usually open to the general public to meet the learning objectives of this course. These courses will still have touring components outside of the resort boundaries, and so touring gear is still required. A lift pass is needed and is not included.

Winter 2026 WP Course Dates

• January 16th-18th
• February 20th-22nd

Want to check out some of our other course dates and options, check out below!

AIARE 1 Course in the Front Range (along the continental divide between Loveland and Berthoud Passes)

Hut-Based AIARE 1 Courses

Summit County AIARE 1 Courses

Splitboard Specific AIARE 1 Courses

Womens Specific AIARE 1 Course

If the course date you are looking at is full, please contact us at 970-893-8007 or info@coloradoadventureguides.com to be put on the waitlist. We often open additional sessions with demand.

Itinerary

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One Month Prior - E-Learning materials and Student Manual are sent approximately one month prior to course start. Students submit questions relating to E-Learning or Student Manual to prepare for the Classroom portion of the course.

Day One – Classroom Presentations and Trip Planning Lesson

• 8:00am – 12:00pm: Classroom presentations and hands-on activities
• 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch
• 1:00 pm – 4:00: Presentations, activities and Instructor-led trip planning lesson

Day Two- on snow

• 7:30am – 3:30pm: Field Session. Companion Rescue and Making Relevant Observations

Day Three- on snow

• 7:30am – 4:00pm : Student-led tour and course close

What You’ll Learn:

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Equipment

• Efficient use of beacon/shovel/probe
• Pre-trip equipment check
• Backcountry gear checklist
• Weather
• Understanding a mountain snowpack
• Reading and understanding the avalanche forecast
• Classifications of avalanches
• Characteristics of different types of avalanches

Trip Preparation

• Basics of route selection and terrain management
• Trip planning and preparation
• Rescue and emergency preparation
• Group management

Hazards/Rescue

• Recognizing hazardous conditions
• Managing risk and decision making
• Human factors and influence
• Companion rescue techniques

Liability/Health History Waiver & Emergency Contact Policy

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Colorado Adventure Guides is committed to the safety of our guests. Our guides are trained to recognize potentially hazardous situations and they plan and operate accordingly. Due to the inherently dangerous nature of some outdoor recreation activities all participants must sign a liability waiver and health form. All participants under the age of 18 must have a liability/health history waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. All information submitted is completely confidential; it is for the guide’s use and would only be shared in the event of an emergency with medical and/or rescue personnel directly caring for the guest. It is Colorado Adventure Guides' policy that all Emergency Contacts be a person over the age of 18 and not participating in the same guided trip or course. Colorado Adventure Guides is is committed to sustainability.

Trip Package Includes

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• AIARE Certified Course Leader and Instructor(s) (6:1 maximum guide to student ratio)
• AIARE Certificate of Completion
• Complimentary use of Ortovox Avalanche Equipment (if needed)
• Discounted touring gear (if needed)
• Discount on future courses and guided adventures with CAG
• Discount with select CAG partners

Trip Package Does Not Include

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• Lift tickets for Winter Park Ski Area
• Lodging
• Backcountry touring equipment (A/T skis & boots, splitboard, poles, and skins can be rented from CAG HQ in Silverthorne for additional cost)
• Clothing for weather conditions
• Lunch, snacks, water
• Insurance (trip or rescue)
• Instructor gratuity

Lift Tickets are NOT INCLUDED and required on all Winter Park Ski Resort Based Course dates

No Gear? No Problem.

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Acquiring rentals can be stressful especially if you’re in a time crunch. Look no further. We operate a complete backcountry demo shop out of our basecamp in Silverthorne, CO. We carry full A/T Ski and Splitboard setups from DPS, Icelantic, ATK, Weston, Spark R&D, Karakorum, and Pomoca.. Discounts apply when booking a guided tour or course. We also carry snowshoes, ice climbing gear, avalanche rescue gear, and more. Purchase your set up at season end if you really enjoyed the experience!

!Ortovox Discount

Looking to purchase avalanche equipment? Take advantage of a 10% discount off in-store Ortovox avalanche safety equipment for all clients and students in our CAG retail center! Avalanche beacons, probes, shovels, and NEW Litric Airbag Packs!

Area Info

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Colorado Adventure Guides is permitted to operate in a variety of terrain from Summit County to several adjacent counties, which allows us to access a variety of zones. Typically we confirm our destinations before the actual tour to make sure we have the most appropriate terrain.

About Your Guides

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Colorado Adventure Guides and Colorado Rafting Company, based in Silverthorne, CO, deliver four-seasons of outdoor adventure and education. With operations in seven USFS and BLM ranger districts, we serve a dynamic and growing population of outdoor enthusiasts. Our all-season, guided operations include:

• Rock Climbing
• Mountaineering
• Hiking/Peak Ascents
• Mountain Biking
• Whitewater Rafting/SUPing
• Backcountry Skiing
• Backcountry Splitboarding
• Snowshoeing
• Ice Climbing
• AIARE Snow Safety

We have been providing incredible experiences to visitors of Summit County and surrounding areas for over 20 years. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned expert, let us take you on your next unforgettable outdoor adventure!

FAQs

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What kind of skier/rider would enjoy this adventure?

This course can be taken on alpine touring skis or a splitboard. No prior backcountry experience is required but it is highly recommended that participants with touring gear have experience on their setup prior to taking this course and be comfortable in steep blue to black terrain at a ski resort. Students should be able to travel off-trail on ungroomed or unmaintained terrain, and must bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow. A/T Skis and Splitboards are available for rent from our Silverthorne, CO basecamp

How Physically Fit Do I Need To Be To Take This Course?

Colorado Adventure Guides’ priority is keeping our patrons and students safe. Our instructors are trained to recognize potentially hazardous situations in the backcountry; they plan and operate accordingly. Prior to the start of any course or backcountry trip you will complete a brief health history. The failure to disclose pertinent information on the health history form could result in serious harm, even death, to the signing participant, other guests and/or the guide. All information submitted is completely confidential; it is for the guide’s use and would only be shared in the event of an emergency with medical and/or rescue personnel directly caring for the guest. This can be a physically demanding course, and your ability to enjoy the adventure depends on your health and fitness, thus it’s recommended that you are in good physical condition.

When and how do I meet up with our instructor(s)?

Your instructor will contact you at least 1 week prior to your activity start date to finalize details regarding meeting location and time.

What Equipment is Required for this Course/Trip?

• Avalanche beacon, probe, shovel
• Medium-sized backpack
• A/T Skis or Splitboard with well-fitted climbing skins and boots and poles
• Appropriate clothing for the weather
• Much of the above is available for use or rent at CAG’s HQ in Silverthorne

What should I bring and wear?

We recommend you bring or wear the below or similar:

• Hard or softshell pants
• Synthetic or merino wool base layer
• Softshell jacket (optional)
• Down or synthetic insulated jacket
• Hardshell or water/wind resistant jacket
• Light gloves for uphill travel
• Warm gloves
• Brimmed hat or visor
• Sunglasses and goggles
• Helmet
• Sunscreen
• Neck gaiter or buff
• Snacks, water, food
• Medium backpack

Should we tip our guide/instructor?

Your instructors work hard before, during, and after your course to provide you with the best safety education and a great experience, and while not expected, gratuities are always highly appreciated. If you had a safe, educational, and fun experience, gratuities typically range from 15-20%.