Avalanche Courses
1 to 3 Days | Avalanche skill development
Northern Colorado Avalanche Courses
Each of our avalanche courses are offered in our Northern Colorado territory through our access to private and public lands. Our course offerings consist of the entry Level I that is recommended for all backcountry travelers. We also offer a one day rescue course that is very important for everyone too.
Level I Avalanche Class
This is the on-snow start to your avalanche education. A well-rounded hands-on class learning a variety of practical skills to make you more knowledgeable and safer in the backcountry. American Avalanche Association(A3) CertifiedClass which exceeds A3 guidelines. Taught by AAA pro member, certified course provider/instructor, Mike Duffy. 24 hour class, minimum 60% on snow.
- Prerequisite: No previous courses required
- For recreational riders, pros, guides, and SAR
Classroom session will be online using a special level 1 version of Backcountry Ascender. Online is self-paced on your time using the fun and engaging Backcountry Ascender platform. No scheduled video meetings and more time on the snow. This is a motorized specific class and we will be traveling to areas by snowmobile or snow bike. Certified American Avalanche Association class. Level 1 is verifying the forecast and learning essential skills for the backcountry. You’ll look at the mountains differently after taking this class.
Northern Colorado Avalanche Courses
Included
Two full days: Our Level 1 avalanche class is an evening of classroom followed by two days on the snow.
Your avalanche instructor who is American Avalanche Association Certified.
Shovel, beacon, probe, and avalanche airbag will be provided as needed
- Duration | 2 Days
- 2 or more people required
- Availability | TBD
Avalanche Rescue Class
Advanced rescue skills in a fast-paced one-day on snow class. Certified class by American Avalanche Association.
Prerequisite for level II, but can be taken anytime, but we suggest taking after level I.
- Prerequisite: Take prior to a Level II course, but can be taken anytime
- For recreational riders, pros, guides, and SAR
Escape and survival techniques, rescuer safety/response, scene safety, communication, transceiver, shoveling and probing techniques, victim basic care, deep burials, close proximity rescues, RECCO, using advanced features on your transceiver, leading a rescue, rescue scenarios, timed transceiver searches and much more. These are the advanced skills that were previously taught in level II classes, is now a separate course.
Northern Colorado Avalanche Courses
Included
One full day: Our avalanche rescue class is a full day on the snow.
Your avalanche instructor who is American Avalanche Association Certified.
Shovel, beacon, probe, and avalanche airbag will be provided as needed
- Duration | 1 Day
- 2 or more people required
- Availability | TBD
Level II Avalanche Class
This class takes your skills and understanding of snow to a new level with advanced terrain and snowpack analysis. We put you in the driver’s seat making decisions and leading a team into the backcountry. Invaluable skills so you can analyze terrain/snowpack without a forecast and route find in avalanche terrain. A must for any serious rider.
- Prerequisite: Level I and Avalanche Rescue
- For recreational riders, pros, guides, and SAR
Take your avalanche knowledge to the next level in route finding, group management, terrain and stability analysis. Learn to manage terrain according to avalanche problem(s) and the correct mindset for conditions. Stability test quantification and recording.
The course covers applied information gathering and planning, field observations, communication, team work, decision-making and travel in avalanche terrain.
This is an intensive hands-on course that will build your confidence and skills.
Northern Colorado Avalanche Courses
Included
Three full days: Our Level II avalanche class is three full days of on snow training focused on information gathering and field decision making.
Your avalanche instructor who is American Avalanche Association Certified.
Shovel, beacon, probe, and avalanche airbag will be provided as needed
- Duration | 3 Days
- 2 or more people required
- Availability | TBD
Northern Colorado Avalanche Courses
Riding Terrain
Our avalanche courses are based out of Craig and Yampa, Colorado. We have permits with Routt National Forest with access from Moffat County Colorado and Routt County Colorado. We have permits North and South of Hayden so there’s a good chance one of our two mountain ranges got hit with fresh snow out of the last storm system. Long story short we have untouched powder!!!
Rates
$590
/ per person
- 2.25 Days Avalanche Instruction
- American Avalanche Association Certified Instructor
- Private & Public Mountain Access
- Shovel, beacon, probe, avalanche bag if needed
- SkiDoo Snowmobile Rental at an ADDITIONAL COST
$295
/ per person
- 1 Day Avalanche Instruction
- American Avalanche Association Certified Instructor
- Private & Public Mountain Access
- Shovel, beacon, probe, avalanche bag if needed
- SkiDoo Snowmobile Rental at an ADDITIONAL COST
$900
/ per person
- 3 Days Avalanche Instruction
- American Avalanche Association Certified Instructor
- Private & Public Mountain Access
- Shovel, beacon, probe, avalanche bag if needed
- SkiDoo Snowmobile Rental at an ADDITIONAL COST
