Rec Level 1 Hut Avalanche Course

The Rec Level 1 Avalanche Course provides a complete introduction to the avalanche phenomenon, avalanche terrain, decision-making, and rescue

Aspen Expedition’s customized instruction maximizes student learning outcomes as they relate to backcountry travel. Aspen Expeditions has been teaching avalanche courses since 1980 and has an intimate knowledge of the Colorado snowpack. The avalanche instructors, IFMGA/AMGA trained/certified ski guides, have extensive experience guiding, teaching and skiing the backcountry. AE has partnered up with the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association to offer the Recreational Level I Avalanche Courses in the ideal backcountry learning environment. These two-night, three-day courses enable all participants to experience backcountry conditions within the Hut system by using the backcountry huts as a base for the course and fieldwork.

The dates for our hut-based Level 1 Avalanche Courses are:

• January 5th – 7th, 2024 at the Sangree M Froelicher Hut
• January 19th – 21st, 2024 at the Margy’s Hut
• January 26th – 28th, 2024 at the Sangree M Froelicher Hut
• February 23rd – 25th, 2024 at the Sangree M Froelicher Hut
• March 1st – 3rd, 2024 at the Sangree M Froelicher Hut

The Level 1 Course includes +/-8 hours of classroom instruction and +/-16 hours of field instruction.

Subjects covered include:

• Types of avalanches
• Characteristics of avalanches
• How avalanches form and release
• Assessing avalanche terrain
• Trip planning and preparation
• Route Finding Decision making
• Avalanche gear review (beacons, probes, airbags, etc.)
• Rescue protocols and procedures