Avalanche Terrain Avoidance

*** TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE, PLEASE FIRST COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION QUESTIONNAIRE AND SUBMIT IT TO THE COURSE DIRECTOR.  YOU CAN ACCESS THE QUESTIONNAIRE BY CLICKING THE BLUE 'APPLY' BUTTON ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS PAGE.  THANK YOU. *** 

The course fee is for the evening lecture session on December 10, 2025.  Those who attend the lecture session may join one of the (free) all-day field trips on either December 14 or 15. Active Northern Colorado Trip Leaders may have their course fees waived, contact the course Director for more information at stevendielman@gmail.com.

The Classroom Session will include a slideshow presentation, group discussions, and a route planning exercise.  Specific topics will include:

• Overview of avalanche occurrence with a focus on Colorado

• Causes, types & characteristics of avalanches

• Nature of the risks

• Factors affecting avalanche risk (slope, terrain, temperature, wind, cornices, tree density, human factors)

• Recognizing and avoiding potential avalanche terrain (route selection and slope angle measurements)

• Internet resources for planning such as the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) website and ratings, snowfall data, NWS forecasts, and Caltopo as a mapping & general terrain evaluation tool.

During the field trip we will observe actual avalanche terrain from nearby areas while avoiding avalanche risk. Wintertime hazards in addition to avalanches will also be discussed. Estimation and measurement of slope angles will be practiced, and numerous examples of potentially risky (e.g., slopes, gullies, road cuts, cornices, etc.) and avalanche-free areas will be pointed out and discussed. Clues as to what constitutes avalanche terrain versus non-avalanche terrain will also be pointed out and discussed. We will finish with a short drive to one or more parking areas to observe and discuss the characteristics of various avalanche paths exhibiting historic slide activity and which should be avoided.

For the field trip, participants will need to bring snowshoes.  We will travel approximately 4.5 miles round trip with approximately 1,100 feet of elevation gain.

This course will not include training for travel within avalanche terrain or search and rescue techniques covered in more comprehensive courses (e.g., AIARE 1).

Note for CMC Trip Leaders: This course is also designed to meet the requirements of the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) for trip leaders who lead routes in snow-covered terrain that is not avalanche-prone. The full CMC avalanche education requirements for trip leaders can be found here: CMC Avalanche Education Policy Document.

Course fees will be waived for active Northern Colorado Group Trip Leaders,