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Immerse Yourself in the Backcountry on a Learning Retreat

What sets our hut based AIARE courses apart from the others? Not only do we offer a weekend in a clean, off-grid backcountry hut, we also provide the dinners and breakfasts! By choosing the hut-based setting, you’ll have the opportunity to pick your instructors’ brains during fireside chats in the evening.

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.

All of our Level 1 courses will include 24 hours of coursework at a minimum, including advance e-learning, followed by 3 days in the classroom setting and on-snow field time with your instructors.

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

2025/2026 Course Dates & Options:

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• January 9th-11th - Sisters Hut
• January 23rd-25th - Francies Cabin
• February 10th-12th - Sisters Hut
• February 27th-29th - Broome Hut
• March 2nd-4th - Francies Cabin

What You’ll Learn:

• Efficient use of beacon/shovel/probe
• Pre-trip equipment check
• Survival 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

Locations

FRANCIE’S CABIN

Summit Huts Foundation, Francie’s Cabin is the most popular hut in Colorado. Francie’s Cabin, built in 1994, is situated near 11,300ft in the popular Crystal Lakes drainage of the Ten-Mile Range. This stunning cabin is named for Frances Lockwood Bailey, a former resident of Breckenridge who died in a tragic plane crash in 1989.

Francie’s books up very quickly and is a sought-after hut experience. The cabin is equipped with firewood; propane cooktop; cooking equipment, dishes, and utensils; toilet paper; paper towels; and cleaning supplies. As with most winter huts, snowmelt is used as a water supply. Capacity at Francies is 18 students.

BROOME HUT

Owned and operated by the Grand Huts Association, the Broome Hut, originally called the Second Creek Hut, in the Second Creek Basin on the west side of Berthoud Pass, Colorado is one of the finest high altitude skiing and hiking locales in Colorado. Ease of access and great skiing make for excellent backcountry recreation opportunities.

The Broome Hut has some unique amenities which include a pellet stove instead of a woodburning heat stove. It is very easy to operate and has clear instructions posted at the hut. The hut has indoor composting toilets similar to Janet's Cabin and Francie's Cabin. There is also a day-use room at the hut but it is totally separated from the overnight area and they share no amenities.

SISTERS CABIN

The fifth overnight backcountry hut in the Summit Huts system, the 14-person Sisters Cabin was built in 2018 and currently operates as a winter-only hut from November through April.

Funded by the The Sturm Family Foundation, Sisters Cabin celebrates the close bonds amongst Sue Sturm, an avid backcountry hut user, and her close-knit group of female friends that have formed and flourished in the shared joys of backcountry skiing adventures, hence the “Sisters” moniker.

Sisters Cabin incorporates state-of-the-art design and green-building techniques to minimize environmental impact and offer guests an experience similar to those they have come to expect at Summit Huts larger flagship huts.

Itinerary

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Spend the weekend with avalanche professionals in the backcountry, learning about snow safety while sipping tea in front of a crackling wood stove. Backcountry ski or snowboard right to the hut to enjoy a cold beer while debriefing the day. Students will practice preparing for and carrying out a backcountry trip, keeping track of conditions, communicating, making decisions about hazards while in the backcountry, and will learn rescue techniques, as well as how to execute a winter backcountry hut trip!

One Month Prior - E-learning materials and Student Manual for AIARE Level 1 are sent Day 1: Classroom & Field Session - travel to hut, settle in, and learn companion rescue Day 2: Classroom & Field Session - Classroom in hut and afternoon field session to learn how to make relevant observations in the field Day 3: Field Application: Hut breakdown, student-led tour, course close

Trip Package Includes

• AIARE Certified Course Leader and Instructor(s) (6:1 maximum guide to student ratio)
• AIARE Course Manual and waterproof Field Book
• AIARE Certificate of Completion
• CAG professional ski or splitboard guide
• Use of Ortovox Avalanche Safety Gear if needed (beacon, shovel, probe, pack)
• Transportation from designated meeting place to the Trailhead
• Food (Dinners and Breakfasts)
• Hut fees

Trip Package Does Not Include

• Clothing and gear
• Backcountry skis, splitboards or snowshoes (can be rented at Colorado Adventure Guides)
• Transportation to designated meeting place
• Insurance (trip or rescue)
• Instructor gratuity

About Your Instructors

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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 spanning Summit and Eagle Counties to the Denver Front Range. 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!

FAQ’s

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Do I Need To Be A Good Skier/Snowboarder To TakeThis Course?

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.

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.

Do You Offer an AIARE 1 as a Private Group Course?

If you would like to select all the members of your party, you may book a private group course. Course dates can be requested subject to availability. If you are interested, please let us know!

When And How Do I Meet Up With The Group For My Course?

Your course instructors will contact you in advance to set up details. Students will be encouraged to use our CAG company vans or to carpool to help alleviate trailhead overcrowding.

When Should I Take My AIARE 1?

The AIARE 1 course is developed for new to intermediate backcountry users, or for those looking to formalize their education. This course is for experienced resort skiers/riders that have knowledge of how to use their backcountry touring equipment. Not quite there yet? Check out our 1-day Intro to Ski/Splitboard Courses.

Can Skip the AIARE 1 Course?

The AIARE 1 course is part 1 of the Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain program. The Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain program is a recreational program that consists of 3 courses spanning a total of 7 days. While there is no actual certification after taking all the courses, you will obtain course completions. With that said, the AIARE 1 course is a prerequisite to the AIARE 2 course, and so you must attend the AIARE 1 course to continue with the program.

Does the AIARE 1 Certificate Expire?

The AIARE 1 certificate does not have an expiration date, however, it is strongly encouraged that you practice and maintain the skills and knowledge covered in this course. Colorado Adventure Guides offers Avalanche Refresher and Rescue Courses to help keep your backcountry knowledge and skills fresh.

Should I Tip My Course 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%