Oct 4, 2025 | AIARE Avalanche Education, Backcountry Skiing, Education, Ski Mountineering
Colorado is known for big scary avalanches. But some seasons are worse than others. How do we tell if a season is going to be a scary one or a moderate one. A good way to understand it is through the idea of snow climates. Colorado’s mountains tend to follow the...
Sep 29, 2025 | AIARE Avalanche Education, Backcountry Skiing, Colorado, Education, Educational Program, Guided
Here’s some thoughts I frequently find myself giving to people asking how to get into the backcountry. The first thing is to understand it can be a long, complicated journey depending on your goals. It’s important to be realistic about your ability to commit the time,...
Jan 15, 2025 | AIARE Avalanche Education, Colorado, Guided, Rocky Mountain National Park, Ski Mountineering
Skiing big terrain in winter in Colorado during considerable avalanche danger!?!? What can we make of skiers ripping big lines in winter during moderate or considerable danger when we have persistence on the problem list? First thing is to keep in mind that you...
Oct 9, 2024 | AIARE Avalanche Education, Backcountry Skiing, Colorado
When it comes to avalanche education, I only use the curriculum developed by the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). The main reason for this is the curriculum support and instructor standards created by the non profit structure. Non...
Jan 11, 2024 | AIARE Avalanche Education, Backcountry Skiing, Colorado, Uncategorized
Its been a tough winter for snowfall in the lower 48. All over the American west we see a lot of red. In the PNW snow totals have not stacked up even as precipitation numbers are strong. Storms have been too warm and come in as rain. Colorado has generally hung around...
Oct 7, 2023 | AIARE Avalanche Education, Backcountry Skiing, Colorado
Avalanche education in the United States is structured to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to safely explore avalanche-prone terrain. The framework for avalanche education in the USA involves key organizations, including the American Avalanche...
