Avalanche Level 1 Hybrid

COVID-19

Q: Will COVID-19 impact my course?

A: 2020 made it clear that running programs while managing the risk of COVID-19 transmission is a challenge. It is a challenge that the Colorado Mountain School team tackled creatively and courageously. We may need to shift our classrooms to virtual settings at a moment’s notice. We may need to put on masks unexpectedly. We may need to go outside and distance ourselves. No matter what though, we are committed to running programs, providing education, and serving our mission, while also maintaining the highest standards of risk management. Please visit our FAQ page, COVID-19 Policy, or contact us for more information.

Course Registration

Q: Do I need prior backcountry experience to participate in Avalanche Level 1 course?

A: No! If you are planning on taking the course on snowshoes, you do not need any prior experience. If you are joining us on a ski or splitboard touring setup, we ask that you have prior experience touring so that you can focus on getting the most out of your avalanche training, and not about your gear / movement. Our Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding course is a great option to get you up to speed quickly if you’re starting out.

Q: What level skier / rider should I be for the Avalanche Level 1 course?

A: If you are hoping to take your Avalanche Level 1 course on a ski or split board touring setup, you’ll need to be skiing or riding at an intermediate to advanced level. You’ll have an opportunity to discuss your experience with your instructor prior to your field sessions. If you or instructor decide that traveling on snowshoes will better your learning experience, they will be provided at no charge.

Q: Is there a best time to take my avalanche training course?

A: Anytime there is snow coverage in the mountains! Historically, the most popular time is early season (November-January) so you can get your training in and have a long season of backcountry adventures ahead of you. Some people prefer to wait until later in the season to get their ski legs and to have higher snow totals in the backcountry, which can open up more venues during the course. Both options are great and the curriculum and certification is the same. If you have the flexibility, weekdays and courses later in the season may be less expensive due to off-peak demand — they also often have the added benefit of off-peak crowds in the mountains.

Q: My first preference in course dates/locations isn’t available. What are the chances of getting a spot if I get on the waitlist?

A: When a spot opens up on a sold out course, we contact everyone on the waitlist and it is first come, first served. Early season waitlists are often dozens of people, so the chances of getting a spot that opens up can sometimes be slim. We recommend you register for your next best choice and get on the waitlist to keep an eye out for transfer opportunities. There are no fees to transfer into a course that you’re waitlisted for.

Equipment

Q: Do I need to bring/purchase my own avalanche equipment before the course? 

A: No. We can outfit you with a beacon, shovel, and probe from Backcountry Access to use on your course, free of charge. When you fill out your pre-course survey a few weeks before your course, please let us know if you will need this equipment.

Q: Do you rent backcountry skis, splitboards or snowshoes?

A: We have a limited number of snowshoes available upon request. Due to the large variety of sizes for backcountry equipment, we do not rent skis or splitboards. We recommend a pair of Dynafit skis or Weston Splitboards from Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder.

Q: Do you have recommendations on equipment that I should get for the course?

A: Yes! The AAI website has an equipment list tab that has a ton of gear recommendations from our guides. Keep in mind that this list is exhaustive to cover a variety of conditions. If you still have questions about equipment after reading our recommendations, please contact the guides in our office and we’d be happy to chat gear.

For purchasing, we recommend the wonderful folks at Neptune Mountaineering. Please consider the following brands for specific needs.

Technical Outerwear: Rab
Ski Boots: SCARPA
Skis: Dynafit
Snow Safety: BCA

Course Preparation & Online Learning

Q: Will there be any classroom work?

A: This course does include classroom sessions for the 2023/24 season. You can expect to spend some portion of each day in a classroom.

Q: How do I access online learning?

A: Upon registration, students will receive an email that gives them access to the online learning portal. This pre-course online module is optional, but students are strongly encouraged to have completed the online pre-course work prior to the course start date. Completion of the AAI online pre-course work will help prepare you for getting the most out of your Avalanche Level 1 course.

Q: I registered another person. How do they access online learning?

If you enrolled another person, we will need their contact information to provide membership access. Please contact our Service Team (service@coloradomountainschool.com) to get them registered with an online account and a membership.

Field Logistics

Q: Do you have any recommendations for where to stay during the course?

A: Yes! Please check out the lodging recommendations on our Avalanche Level 1 Page.

Q: Will I be able to group up with my Friends or Family during the course?

A: Yes! When filling out our pre-course survey (sent a few weeks before your course), please provide the names of the participants you are signing up / or want to tour with.

Q: Is transportation provided? 

A: No. Each participant is required to provide their own transportation each day. This includes driving to and from the trailhead or any meeting location for the course. 

Q: Will I be able to carpool with my pod to our field days?

A: Due to current COVID-19 conditions, we do not encourage you to carpool with members outside of your household. Instructors are not allowed to carpool with students during this time. 

Q: Will I need to pay a fee to enter any parks?

A: Yes, some venues, such as State and National Parks, require all users pay an entrance fee. These include, but are not limited to, RMNP ($25) and State Forest State Park (Cameron Pass, $9). Clients are responsible for their own entrance fees. You can also purchase a National Parks pass for $80 that will get you into any National Park for the whole year, but may not be eligible for State Parks (depends on the park).

Q: How long are the field sessions? 

A: Field sessions can be anywhere from 3-6 hours in length depending on weather.

Self Care

Q : Is lunch provided? Or do we have to bring our own food?  

A: Lunch is not provided. You are responsible for food and water during your course, and should arrive packed and ready to start your day. An average student may consume a total of 1200-1500 calories per day. This can be in the form or your favorite bars, nut mix, jerky, sandwiches, burritos, etc. Make sure you are hydrated for a full day moving in the mountains. We recommend 2L of water (at minimum). A lightweight thermos with a hot beverage can go a long way in cold temps!

Q : What should I wear? 

A: We recommend bringing multiple clothing layers so you can layer up or layer down, depending on the weather and level of heat you are generating. There will be times that we’ll be generating heat by touring through the mountains or digging for avalanche rescue drills. You may want to delayer before doing aerobic exercise like this to avoid a future cold sweat. Other times, we will stop and sit in the snow (think snow pits). During these times, it is important to layer up and maintain our heat that we just generated. Having flexibility in your layering system allows you to adapt throughout the day. See our Avalanche Level 1 equipment list tab for recommendations.

Q: How is COVID-19 going to be managed during my Avalanche Level 1 course?

A: As professional risk managers, we take the wellbeing of our guides and clients very seriously. Please see our COVID-19 Policy for more info.

Q: Will I be able to go to the bathroom during the course?

A: It’s important to plan appropriately. It’s best to hit the bathroom before leaving for the trailhead as not all trailheads have facilities. If there is a bathroom at the trailhead, take advantage of it; you may not see another one for up to six hours. We recommend you have a Wag Bag (sort of like a dog bag for humans) for emergencies. In preparation for your trip, please review Leave No Trace principles to learn how you can help protect our environment.

Other

Q: Is it appropriate to tip the guides?

A: Guiding is a service-oriented profession and a gratuity for a job well done is recommended and greatly appreciated! If you are unsure about how much is appropriate, a rule-of-thumb is to think about what you’d tip at a restaurant for quality service.