Colorado Mountain School
Colorado Mountain School
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Coronavirus COVID-19: What we’re doing to help our clients and employees

Dear CMS students, clients and fans, 

We’re beyond excited and extremely grateful to be back adventuring with you in the mountains. 

After a brief pause on field operations this spring, we’ve been successfully running courses, climbs and private guiding adventures since May 23–with some adjustments. 

We have special precautions in place for our guides and clients to manage the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19. We invite you to read the details in our FAQ below, and join us in managing this risk. 

We are excited for our next adventure in the mountains, where physical distancing is natural.

Best,

The Colorado Mountain School Team

We strive to communicate frequently and openly with our community. We will be updating this page frequently as the situation evolves. If you still have questions after reading the FAQ below, please don’t hesitate to contact our Service Team.

All of us at Colorado Mountain School thank you for your continued patience, support and help in fighting this pandemic. This is a crisis we face together–as a community.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the status of Colorado Mountain School?

Just like for you, it’s been a roller coaster of a year. We paused in-person experiences from mid-March to mid-May, during which we secured a loan through the Payroll Protection Program, putting our guides and administrative staff to work on a comprehensive COVID-19 operating plan. 

Now, we’re excited to be back in the mountains with you adventuring and learning responsibly. We appreciate your patience and incredible demonstrations of support in getting us here.

Note: The Estes Park Adventure Hostel, operated by Colorado Mountain School, is open exclusively to private bookings (full facility) at this time.

Is there risk of being exposed to COVID-19?

The short answer is “yes.” The only way to fully limit your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 is complete isolation. To ensure all clients are aware and accepting of this risk, all clients must complete and sign an additional COVID-19-specific Acknowledgement of Risk / Release of Liability form before participating in one of our guided adventures or instructional courses.

By acknowledging we cannot eliminate risk, we turn our focus to managing it. It is our primary goal as professionals and recreationalists to manage our risk every time we play in the mountains. That means proper planning and decision-making.

How can we manage COVID-19 risk?

We are professional risk managers and the wellbeing of our guests and guides is paramount. Whether it’s dealing with avalanche hazard, rockfall or COVID-19, we have frameworks, systems and controls in place to inform our risk management process. 

 

Here’s what we can do to manage our risk together:

 

  • CMS will limit the size of courses and private outings to reduce exposure.
  • All guides and clients must participate in COVID-19 Medical Screenings before the outing. If you do not pass the screening, you may be subject to additional screening questions. If your participation in the outing is not recommended, you will be given the option to reschedule at no cost, or receive a guaranteed 100% credit or refund.

 

  • We will meet and gear up outside, where studies show COVID-19 exposure is decreased. We strongly discourage carpooling with members outside of your household.
  • Physical distancing will be enforced whenever possible, as will appropriate face coverings when guests can’t maintain six feet of physical distancing.
  • Practice good hygiene. Sanitize hands often, especially when using shared gear. 
  • All shared gear provided by CMS, such as climbing ropes or avalanche kits, will be sanitized and/or quarantined between use.

These precautions have been reviewed by risk management experts and our Medical Advisor, Dr. Alan Oram, M.D. & IFMGA Guide.

If you have concerns that you’d like to discuss, please contact our Service Team and we would be happy to discuss them. We believe in transparency, so our entire COVID-19 Operations Plan is available upon request, but be warned, it’s over 25 pages!

Note: Risk management will be interactive leading up to, during and after your adventure. If you refuse to follow our risk management instructions, we will be forced to end the day prematurely. We appreciate your understanding and participation.

Will my scheduled adventure be further impacted by COVID-19?

The dynamic nature of this pandemic requires us to be nimble and flexible in how we respond. Because some things are unpredictable and/or out of our control, there may be more pauses or adaptations to our field calendar to come. Our team will contact you if there are any reasons for postponing or altering your adventure.

Rest assured, we are committed to helping all of our clients through these uncertain times and have implemented worry-free reschedule and cancellation policies. If you do not pass a COVID-19 Medical Screening or Colorado Mountain School is forced to alter your program due to public health concerns, you will be given the option to reschedule at no cost, or receive a guaranteed 100% credit or refund.

Are you open for winter?

We are taking reservations for private guiding and course enrollment is open for AIARE avalanche training, backcountry skiing & splitboarding, mountaineering and ice climbing. 

For the 2020/21, you’ll likely see some changes to our course logistics, such as replacing indoor class time with e-learning and/or more field time. Rest assured that no matter what curveballs are thrown at us, you can count on us to ignite passionate living through mountain education and adventure.

General Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have prior climbing experience before I climb with the Colorado Mountain School?

No. We have numerous courses that can fit every ability level. If you are not interested in taking a group course, you can schedule a private outing.

What do I need to bring with me to climb?

What you bring varies based on what your climbing objective is. What you wear rock climbing in the summer is completely different than what you wear ice climbing in the winter. Everyone that works with us will receive a gear list at the time of registration. In general you are responsible for the soft goods (i.e. clothing). We have all the technical gear (i.e. harness, helmet, shoes, etc.) for rent if you don’t already have them.

Is climbing dangerous?

As our acknowledgment of risk forms and every book on the topic will tell you, climbing has inherent dangers; it is an adventure sport. If you are well trained and are using the correct equipment and technique, then most of the risks of rock climbing can be managed. Risk management is the number one concern at the Colorado Mountain School. If you have questions or concerns, we are always happy to speak with you and answer any questions that you may have.

When do you guide?

We offer custom guiding 365 days a year. Most of our courses fall on the weekends.

Is tipping the guide(s) customary?

Yes. Just like most service industries, our guides do appreciate a gratuity as a way of showing your appreciation and enjoyment. Like all service industry work, 15-20% tip is standard.

Are all your courses outdoors?

Yes. All of our courses are based outdoors, but there are a few courses that do have classroom portions.

Can kids climb?

Yes. For group courses we ask that kids be accompanied by an adult. For private guiding we encourage an adult to be present.

Do you do group outings?

Yes. We’ve worked with numerous companies and organizations. Climbing is a great way to build camaraderie and enjoy the outdoors.

Do you offer any discounts?

Yes, for those that ask we offer a 5% discount for students and active or retired military on custom outings.

Do you offer lodging?

Yes. Our location in Estes Park has 16 beds spread over 3 separate rooms. It also has 3 showers, 3 restrooms, a full size kitchen, and lounge area.  Our peak season is Memorial Day to Labor Day and December 1 through April 1. It is $44.22 (tax included) per person per night.

What are your office hours?

We are open daily, from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Where are you located?

Main office: 633 S. Broadway St, Boulder, CO 80301 (inside Neptune Mountaineering)
Estes Park Lodge: 341 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517

Looking for answers to other questions?

Email us: info@coloradomountainschool.com
Call us: 720-387-8944

Neptune Mountaineering
Dynafit
La Sportiva
Backcountry Access
Sterling Rope
Boulder Rock Club
CAMP USA
Scarpa
Rab
Cassin

Contact Us

633 S Broadway Unit A
Boulder, CO 80305

341 Moraine Ave
Estes Park, CO 80517

info@coloradomountainschool.com
(720) 387-8944

Colorado Mountain School is an equal opportunity provider and is operated under special use permit with the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest.

Instagram

Curious about what ice tools our guides use? @mik Curious about what ice tools our guides use?

@mike_ofthemountain  talks through why the @camp1889 Cassin X-Dream is his go to tool for the mountains.
Winter is here! Are you ready? There is no shorta Winter is here! Are you ready?

There is no shortage of winter courses and objectives to get out into right now!

Avalanche education, intro to ice climbing, custom guided ski days, burly winter alpine routes, you name it! 

We are psyched to get out in the mountains with you this winter and #igniteyourpassion
And just like that, winter turned back on! • Gui And just like that, winter turned back on!
•
Guide & AIARE Instructor @adamcohenfisher snapped this quick clip of an AIARE 1 student enjoying the goods yesterday!
IFMGA guide @bustercruz refines his kit every year IFMGA guide @bustercruz refines his kit every year, questioning the benefits of every piece and the cost in weight and bulk. Here is the 2021 version of Buster’s ice rack. Our guides are especially psyched on the new @camp_usa screws that cut so easily through hard ice, and the photon carabiners that are light and easy to handle with gloves on!
•
Follow @bustercruz for more good content!
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