Level 1 Avalanche Classes

Sponsored by the 10^th Mountain Division Hut Association and Aspen Alpine Guides

Snow study during avalanche safety workshop.

This 3-day intensive class is for backcountry skiers, snowshoers and snowboards wishing to gain education in field avalanche hazard evaluation skills.  Instruction includes avalanche beacon training and practice, rescue techniques, snow pack analysis, terrain recognition, and route finding.  Students should be prepared to go touring from the hut, for slope evaluation, route finding and terrain recognition to make go or no go decisions based on current field conditions.

Students should have attended an avalanche awareness course, however, this is not mandatory.  All participants should be comfortable on backcountry touring gear, and have had previous hut touring experience.

Avalanche beacon practice.

Course Cost: $200.00 per person. 

Cost Includes: Instruction, Hut fees AND Group dinners for 2 nights (Friday and Saturday)

What you need: Appropriate backcountry ski or snowshoe equipment including personal clothing appropriate for working outside All Day!  Plus all appropriate gear for a hut trip...Including:

Ø      Sleeping bag

Ø      Note pad and pencil or pen

Ø      Lunches and snacks Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Ø      Breakfasts for Saturday, and Sunday

Ø      Hot drinks-coffee/tea/cocoa

Ø      Avalanche beacon, shovel, probe poles

Ø      Any specific evening beverages you desire

Ø      Headlamp

Ø      Hut slippers

Course Specifics:  For trips to the Peter Estin Hut, we will meet on Friday the first day of the class at 9 am at the City Market parking lot in Eagle.  It is a 4.4 mile ski into the Estin Hut from Yeoman Park, 16 miles South of Eagle.  Average ski time into the hut is approximately 3-4 hours depending on snow conditions.

For trips to the Sangree M. Froelicher Hut, we will meet on Friday the first day of the class at 9am at the Safeway parking lot in Leadville. It is a 3.2 mile ski into the Sangree M. Froelicher Hut from the trailhead. Average ski time into the hut is approximately 2-3 hours depending on snow conditions.  

Course includes both morning and evening lectures along with ample time outside for field skills.  Course usually runs until 1pm on Sunday when we depart the hut, so please plan your schedule accordingly!

TO REGISTER:  Registration is on a first come-first served basis. So please register early!

FULL PAYMENT ($200) IS DUE TO HOLD YOUR SPACE.

NO REFUNDS FOR CANCELLATIONS (You may resell your space if necessary.)

QUESTIONS?  CALL SCOTT MESSINA 970-925-6618 (home) or office 970-925-4554, or email: scott.messina@comcast.net