Hut Based Avalanche Course

Rec Level 1 Hut Avalanche Course

  • Duration 3 days, 2 nights
  • Avalanche Courses

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:

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

Trip Details

Duration

3 days, 2 nights

Difficulty

Some skiing experience necessary

Maximum Guide Ratio

6:1

Included

  • AE and AMGA trained/certified guide 
  • Hut fees
  • Beacon, shovel, and probe (if you have your own, you should practice with it!)
  • Field book & student fees

Not Included

  • Personal skiing/riding equipment* 
  • Sleeping bag
  • Meals & snack food 
  • Guide gratuity

*Alpine Touring (AT) ski or snowboard equipment is available for demo at 50% discount from our partners Cripple Creek Backcountry

Trip Itinerary

Your instructor will send you an email prior with more information about the course, classroom instruction, and meeting location.

Weekend course:

  • Day 1 – 8:00 am: Field instruction
  • Day 2 – 8:00 am: Field instruction
  • Day 3 – 8:00 am: Field instruction

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