About the Course and Trip!

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So, Colorado’s pristine backcountry has been calling but you, but you still haven’t taken that first step? This is it. This is the winter. Let’s go! This adventure is the perfect introduction to the skills necessary to confidently take those first steps and venture into the backcountry. Take your backcountry education to the next level with a two night adventure to one of Colorado’s enchanting backcountry huts! Join us on this 3 day course to learn the ins and outs of backcountry travel in the winter and how to properly execute a winter hut trip. Over the span of this course you will be taught the basics of traveling into the winter backcountry via skis or splitboard, and will also spend time learning the proper etiquette of using a backcountry hut. Students and instructors will work together to execute meal plans, gather water, keep the fire going, etc. Grab some friends, pick a date, and our guides will handle everything else!

What You Will Learn:

Equipment

• Intro and overview of touring gear
• Proper and efficient transitions
• Intro to avalanche safety gear

Awareness

• Intro to trip planning and backcountry navigation
• Intro to hazard management
• Introduction to avalanche awareness

Movement

• Use of uphill climbing skins
• Intro to track setting
• Intro to using kick turns

2025/2026 Course Dates

January 16-18 (MLK Day weekend) - Carner's Cabin

Itinerary

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Day One:

We will spend the morning gathering our gear before transitioning to the field where we will then travel to the cabin. The afternoon will be spent utilizing field and hut instruction.

Day 2 & 3:

Two full days of classroom and field instruction where you will practice to better hone your winter backcountry skills. We turn the hut into a classroom and cover trip planning, decision making, route-finding techniques, and more. Field instruction takes place right out the door of the hut!

Trip Package Includes

• Local experienced and professional Instructors/Guides
• 8-hour course with a 6:1 maximum instructor to student ratio
• Discounted demo gear if needed
• Transportation from designated meeting place to the trailhead
• Lodging
• Food

Trip Package Does Not Include

• Avalanche Safety Gear - beacon, shovel, probe, pack. (Rentals available.)
• Clothing and gear (See FAQs)
• Backcountry skis, splitboards, or snowshoes (Rentals available)
• Transportation to designated meeting place
• Insurance (Trip or Rescue)
• Gratuity

Area Info

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Our Intro to Backcountry, and Intro to Huts courses are taught in a hut setting. Not only do we offer access to rustic off-grid backcountry huts, we can also provide the meals and support staff while you are out learning and practicing your skills. By choosing the hut-based setting, you’ll have the opportunity to pick your instructor’s brain during fireside chats in the evening. We have partnered with the Summit Huts Association & Grand Huts Association as well as other private hut properties to offer backcountry ski/splitboard and hut trip education! Our partner properties include:

• NoLo Office Cabin - Near Mosquito Pass, Park County, Colorado
• High Lonesome & Broome Huts, Grand County, Colorado
• Carner's Cabin – Near Freemont Pass, Lake County, Colorado
• Francie’s, Sister’s & Janet’s Cabins – Summit Hut Association
• Timberline Lodge at Duck Lake Ski Resort - Guanella Pass, Park County, Colorado

All of our backcountry lodges are off-grid and vary from modern to rustic, each with its own personality. Surrounded by thousands of acres National Forest, they are typically out of sight of other habitation, making for a retreat that feels very remote, yet is easily accessible from a nearby trailhead and parking area. Most huts have PV electricity. Cabins are equipped with firewood, propane cooktop, cooking equipment like dishes and utensils, toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies. As with most winter huts, snowmelt is used as a water supply.

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 Accents
• 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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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 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 I Need To Be A Good Skier/Snowboarder To Take This Course?

Our courses can be taken on alpine touring skis or splitboard. Alpine touring skis and splitboards are available for rent from our Silverthorne, CO basecamp. Students on skis or boards must be comfortable in steep blue to black terrain at the ski resort. Students should be able to travel off-trail on ungroomed or unmaintained terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow.

Required Equipment

• Avalanche Beacon (available in our rental shop)
• Avalanche Probe (available in our rental shop) - Avalanche Shovel (available in our rental shop)
• Larger (45L+) sized backpack
• Alpine Touring Skis, Telemark Skis, or Splitboard (available in our rental shop)
• Climbing Skins (available in our rental shop)
• Goggles
• Helmet (optional)
• Sleeping needs and clothing recommendations will be specific to the trip

Do You Offer a Private Group Course?

For those who would like to select all the members of their party, you may book a private group course. Course dates can be requested all season long, weekends or weekdays, subject to availability. If you are interested, please let us know!

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

You will meet at our Silverthorne basecamp. For field-based days, students will be encouraged to use our CAG company vans or to carpool to help alleviate trailhead overcrowding.

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%.