As the aspen leaves turn and the temperature drops, it’s time to start thinking about winter. Here at Crested Butte Mountain Guides, we’ve unveiled our winter 2011-2012 avalanche courses to prepare you for safe powder play.

There’s no better way to be backcountry ready than with an AIARE Avalanche Safety Course. This winter, we’re offering Level I, Level I hut, Level II and refresher courses. Curious about what each course will entail? Below is a brief run-down. For more information about our Avalanche Safety Courses or to register, click here or call us at 970-349-5430.

Level I

The level I course is designed to provide an introduction to avalanche safety. With a mix of classroom and field time, we’ll learn how to recognize potential hazards, how to minimize and manage them, and how to respond in case of emergency. During this 3-day course, we’ll analyze an avalanche forecast, identify avalanche terrain and avalanche types, learn basic rescue techniques, gain an understanding of basic snowpack, learn the basics of route selection/terrain features, and more. Eight sessions offered. 

Cost:
$325

Dates:
Dec. 9-11
Dec. 21-23
Dec. 30-Jan. 1
Jan. 6-8
Jan. 20-22
Feb. 10-12
Feb. 24-26
Mar. 9-11

Level I Hut Course

What better way to test your newly acquired avalanche safety skills than to apply them right away? With our level I hut course you’ll have the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice immediately. The curriculum mirrors that of the level I course, but takes place from the base of a ski hut in the backcountry. This winter, take your level I course at the Maroon Hut in the former mining town of Gothic (just outside of Crested Butte) or at the Lost Wonder Hut, on the eastern side of Monarch Pass. Breakfast and dinner are provided during the 3-day course. Six sessions offered.

Cost:
$475

Dates:
Dec. 16-18
Dec. 27-29
Jan. 13-15
Jan. 27-29
Feb. 17-19
Mar. 2-4

Level II

With a solid foundation of avalanche safety, we’ll dive deeper into the principles and techniques in level I, but with a strong focus on the science behind it. This 4-day course is great for anyone looking to become a backcountry guide or for the advanced backcountry enthusiast. We’ll explore the snow metamorphism process and how it relates to backcountry snow stability, weak layer formation in the snow pack, temperature gradient and its effects on snow, standardized observations and recordings for weather, rescues, and more. Three sessions offered. 

Cost:
$435

Dates:
Dec. 15-18
Jan. 12-15
Feb. 16-19

Refresher Course

Feeling a bit rusty on those avalanche safety skills? Take our 1-day refresher course to brush up before entering the backcountry. We’ll spend the entire day out in the field, focusing on terrain recognition, travel techniques, decision-making, and a mock rescue scenario. This course is also a great a way to stay up-to-date on the latest Industry news, equipment, tests and techniques. Five sessions offered.

Cost:
$90

Dates:
Dec. 10
Dec. 31
Jan. 21
Feb. 11
Feb. 25

SpringSki Mountaineering Season has arrived to Crested Butte, Colorado, with warmer and longer days, and a mostly stable snowpack with great overall coverage. We have all been getting out as much as possible, skiing some of the bigger lines in the area. Local alpine peaks, steep faces, tight couloirs, and combinations of all the above….coupled with a chilly dawn start and afternoon apres beers on our front porch mean only one thing…..spring is here !!!

Crested Butte Mountain Resort is set to close for the season this Sunday, April 3rd…..so with the official end of the lift-served skiing here in Crested Butte, comes a mass exodus of locals and tourists alike, as town quiets down and the local hardcore backcountry ski mountaineering enthusiasts start to relish in the beauty of the steep and challenging alpine lines that we’ve been eyeing all winter long. And, as per usual, daily conditions have been typical spring time like weather, with the occasional powder day here and there, and 36″ of snow the last week of March, making for the continuation of a year of some darn good powder skiing.

Crested Butte Mountain Guides still has a few spaces left in both of our April Spring Ski Mountaineering Camps, so if anyone out there is thinking about not hanging up the boards just yet, come join us in the Crested Butte backcountry. Learn the basics of technical skills of crampon, ice axe, basic rope work, and steep skiing techniques from our AMGA Guides…..

Spring also means traveling farther abroad for some CBMG Ski Guides, as CBMG Senior Guide, Steve Banks (IFMGA Guide) is currently on his way across the pond to Chamonix, France to guide the World-Famous Haute Route Ski Tour for the 4th consecutive year in a row. Look for a trip report from Steve soon….as we know Steve and CBMG Guests; Andy, Dan, and Paul will have an awesome time ski touring in the European Alps.

For those of us closer to home….no worries…the skiing outside Crested Butte will be really good for the weeks to come, and the “14er” Ski Mountaineering season here in Colorado is just coming into prime shape for getting some bigger ski lines and descents on some iconic peaks.

Here’s looking forward to the continuation of a great ski season (over 600″ in the backcountry)…..and the transition into the spring ski mountaineering season…..

—CBMG Guide Staff