WINTER BACKCOUNTRY EDUCATION

Backcountry Progression Program

Colorado is home to one of the most complex snowpacks in the world, drawing people from across the globe to study and understand it. Navigating the backcountry demands more than just enthusiasm—it requires a strong grasp of avalanche risk, terrain assessment, and sound decision-making. That can feel overwhelming, which is why we’ve created the Backcountry Progression Program to make the path clear and approachable.

Whether you’re taking your very first steps into the backcountry or building on your experience, this tiered program offers a thoughtful way to progress. From free avalanche clinics to on-snow introductory courses, and on through every stage of avalanche safety education, we’ll support your journey into a lifetime of backcountry exploration.

Have a favorite corner of Colorado—or looking to discover a new zone? Our backcountry education courses are taught in some of the state’s most iconic mountain terrain. With classroom options in Silverthorne, Dumont, and Winter Park, and field days spread across central Colorado’s mountain passes from Berthoud to Vail, you’ll learn where the backcountry truly comes alive.

We offer a wide range of specialty courses to match your goals, including splitboard and snowshoe courses, women-specific programs, lift-assisted days, Intro to Backcountry, Wilderness First Aid, and hut-based experiences. Explore the options below and start building your backcountry education with us.

Get ready for the season with Avvy Savvy! We’re running a series of free clinics designed to help you build a solid foundation for your backcountry adventures. Perfect for beginners and a great refresher for experienced travelers, these one-to-two-hour clinics are available  at our partner venues. Choose from topics like:

• Trip Planning and Terrain Management
• Winter Hut Tripping 101 Clinic
• Ortovox Safety Sessions – Avalanche Danger & Tour Planning Clinic
• Backcountry Ski & Splitboard 101 Clinic
• Avalanche Safety 101 + The State of the Snowpack Clinic

Don’t miss out—these clinics are all completely free!

After joining one of our Ski/Splitboard 101 clinics, the next step is getting on snow with our Introduction to Skiing and Splitboarding course. As a thank-you for attending the clinic, you’ll receive 15% off this course!

This introductory class is designed to give you the skills and confidence you need to start exploring the backcountry. For those new to backcountry skiing, we highly recommend taking it before your AIARE 1 Avalanche Course—and if you do, you’ll also get 15% off your AIARE course.

Now that you’ve built a solid foundation with your gear, basic touring skills, and an introduction to terrain and avalanche awareness, it’s time to take the next step in your backcountry education.

As the largest avalanche course provider in Colorado, we offer AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) accredited programs led by some of the best local instructors. We are committed to delivering high-quality courses with thoughtful structure and engaging instruction, giving you the education you need to travel safely and confidently in the backcountry.

We recommend starting with the 3-day AIARE 1 Avalanche Course, followed by the 1-day AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course—and when you take both, you’ll receive 15% off.

For a fully immersive experience, check out our hut-based AIARE 1 options, where you’ll spend three days learning in the heart of the backcountry.

You’ve put your knowledge into practice. Now that you’ve gained hands-on experience from your AIARE 1 Avalanche Course, it’s time to take the next step—learning how to lead a small group and reduce uncertainty in the backcountry with our AIARE 2 Avalanche Course.

Our AIARE 2 courses are offered in both hut-based and snow-camping formats for a fully immersive experience. And if you completed your AIARE 1 with us, you’ll receive 15% off your AIARE 2 course!

Need a refresher on your AIARE Level 1 skills? Or recently completed a Level 1 and want to put your knowledge into action on the snow?

Gather a few of your backcountry buddies and book a private learning and touring day with one of our guides or instructors. The day can be tailored to focus on the skills you want most—whether it’s trip planning, route selection, field observations, snowpack analysis, or simply learning how to execute a full ski tour and find the best conditions.

If you took your AIARE 1 or 2 with us, you’ll receive 15% off your Refresher Trip!

Ready to take your skills to the next level? Our 3-Day Ski/Splitboard Mountaineering Course is the pinnacle of our Backcountry Progression Program. For many, ski and splitboard mountaineering is one of the most exciting ways to experience the backcountry.

In spring, Colorado’s snowpack stabilizes, the corn snow cycle begins, and backcountry terrain opens up like never before. With some lines more technical than others, it’s essential to have the right skills to travel safely and confidently.

This course covers a wide range of topics, focusing on navigating intermediate to advanced terrain while building on the foundation of your backcountry education. Explore the mountains with purpose, precision, and the knowledge to handle whatever the backcountry throws your way.

Why Choose Us?

At Colorado Adventure Guides, every course is taught—and designed—by our certified guides and instructors. That means your instructor isn’t just leading the course—they’ve poured their passion and expertise into creating the best possible learning experience for you. We leave no corners uncut when it comes to your education because your safety, growth, and confidence in the backcountry are our top priorities.

As a locally owned company and Colorado’s premier provider of avalanche education and guided adventures, we bring the same dedication to every experience—whether it’s rafting iconic rivers, hiking rugged trails, climbing peaks, or teaching backcountry skills in snow-covered terrain. Adventure is calling, and we’re here to make it unforgettable.

.

Backcountry winter travel is about far more than just snowpack and terrain knowledge—what happens if someone gets injured? Do you have the skills to handle medical emergencies in the backcountry?

That’s why we partner with Desert Mountain Medicine in nearby Leadville, CO, to help our students continue their education. They offer wilderness-specific medical courses ranging from Winter-Specific Wilderness First Aid to advanced programs like Wilderness First Responder.

Take your skills further with our AIARE Rescue + Wilderness First Aid course and be fully prepared for the challenges the backcountry can throw your way.