Winter Backcountry Clinics in Colorado

Learn how to identify and avoid avalanche terrain on your next tour.  Participants will form touring groups and through a variety of guided exercises will learn how to choose a tour that fits the conditions and minimizes avalanche risk.

ORTOVOX’s Safety Academy 3D Mountain model is used by each touring group as an interactive learning tool to graphically demonstrate avalanche terrain and simulate tour planning.  Participants learn how to identify avalanche terrain, interpret an avalanche forecast, apply the forecast to their mountain model, and in the end will draw and explain their route.

Due to the hands-on nature of this clinic, attendance is capped at 20.
RSVP required, with standby and overflow allowed.  Free with RSVP.

Each participant will receive a free gift from ORTOVOX!

Time duration:  1.5 hours

Join us for a free introductory classroom course to help you learn the next steps that you’ll want to take to get ready to explore Colorado’s pristine backcountry. This Backcountry Ski/Splitboarding 101 Clinic will introduce skiers and riders to backcountry equipment and available resources. We will define what the backcountry is and take a look at the specialized equipment that is necessary to use while traveling in the snowy mountains to Go Forth & Slay Pow.

In this course we’ll cover things like:

• Gear Discussion
• Educational Resources
• Backcountry Ethics
• Trip Planning Resources
• Local Events + How to Get Involved/Meet Partners

Spend 1.5 hours gaining the tools and knowledge to travel the backcountry confidently. Learn how to use essential resources to make smart, safe decisions, explore the gear that matters, and master reading the avalanche forecast.

We’ll wrap up with a current snowpack update, giving you the insights you need to plan your next adventure with confidence.

Join us on a Hut Trip 101 Clinic to learn the basics about using a backcountry hut in the winter. From tour planning to food and gear planning we will be covering a wide array of topics that involve your hut adventures.

Terrain management is a tool we can use to reduce our risk in avalanche zones.  In this intermediate-level snow talk, we cover the basics of how a backcountry traveler should arrive at choosing appropriate terrain for a backcountry ski or snowboard tour.  We’ll look at weather history and forecast, snowpack conditions, an avalanche hazard forecast, the details of our group and human factors, and discuss how these ingredients help us make our daily terrain choices.  Attendees will be introduced to the resources used by professionals and experienced recreational skiers, key observations, and considerations needed to make an effective tour plan.

Duration:  1.5 hours