Join fellow Gravity Haus members for a private AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Safety Certification Course in Summit County.
About This Experience
Gravity Haus is pleased to have the chance to work with Colorado Adventure Guides (CAG) again this winter to offer backcountry education experiences. Consistent with their themes of development, safety and sound decision making, CAG will help the GH community venture into the outdoors safely by delivering AIARE avalanche safety training over the 2022/23 season.
Traveling in the backcountry requires a solid understanding of avalanche risk and the knowledge to mitigate these risks through appropriate terrain assessment and decision-making. CAG’s AIARE certified leaders and instructors will teach you how to recognize, manage, and minimize these hazards, and reduce risks. For 2022/2023 the standard AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course 3-Day course is a hybrid course that combines E-learning, classroom, and field instruction to introduce participants to the hazards of traveling in avalanche terrain.
Value of This Experience
- Gravity Haus members receive a massive discount off of the public pricing. $600 for our members. Public access is $725.
- In addition, Gravity Haus will be providing lunches and a welcome dinner from the Cabin Juice kitchen. These specially-created menus are not available to the public booking an AIARE course with CAG.
FAQ
- Skill level: No prior backcountry experience is required but it is highly recommended that participants with touring gear have experience on their setup prior to taking this course, and be comfortable in steep blue to black terrain at the ski resort.
- What gear can I train on? This course can be taken on alpine touring skis or splitboards. Both are available to rent via Haus Quiver if you have the correct membership access. Simply open the Gravity App to book.
- How big is the class? 17 attendees, plus 3 AIARE Instructors and a Gravity Haus host. 6:1 ratio of students to guides.
- Is there any prep work required? E-Learning materials and Student Manual are sent approximately one month prior to course start. Students may submit questions relating to E-Learning or Student Manual to prepare for the classroom portion of the course.
- Where are we staying? We encourage you to use your discount at Gravity Haus Breckenridge to stay overnight Thursday through Sunday. Simply open your app to book! Accommodations are not included in the package price.
- What do I bring? Full packing list here.
What You’ll Learn
- Trip Planning and Preparation
- Reading and understanding the avalanche forecast
- Classifications and characteristics of different types of avalanches
- Recognizing hazardous conditions
- Understanding a mountain snowpack
- Basics of route selection and terrain management
- Managing risk and decision making
- Human factors and influence
- Efficient use of beacon/shovel/probe
- Companion rescue techniques
- Group management
Itinerary
One Month Prior
- Students receive an introductory course package
- Students establish a login on CAG’s AIARE online learning portal
- Students execute online, self-paced exercises to prepare for the class & field sessions
- Exercises are submitted to the course instructor to ensure learning objectives are met
Friday, December 9
- 7:30 am SHARP – Shuttle Pickup at GH Breckenridge
- 8-12 pm Breakfast Burritos and Classroom Instruction at Colorado Adventure Guides Headquarters
- 12:00 pm Brown Bag Lunch by Cabin Juice and beverages by Rowdy Mermaid
- 1:00 pm – 4:00 Classroom Instruction at Colorado Adventure Guides Headquarters
- 4 pm Shuttle back to GH Breck
- 5:30 pm Welcome Dinner at Cabin Juice
- Evening on own – use the Onsen, grab a drink at Cabin Juice, or get some sleep!
Saturday, December 10
- 7 am SHARP – Shuttle Pickup at GH Breckenridge
- 7:30 am – 3:30 pm Breakfast Burritos, Field Session; Companion Rescue and Making Relevant Observations; Lunch Provided and beverages by Rowdy Mermaid
- ~ 4 pm Shuttle Return to GH Breck
- Dinner on own
Sunday, December 11
- Early Checkout
- 6:45 am Students drive selves to Colorado Adventure Guides Headquarters
- 7:15 am Depart from CAG
- 7:30 am – 4 pm Breakfast Burritos, Student Led Tour; Lunch Provided and beverages by Rowdy Mermaid
- End
Trip Package Includes
- AIARE Certified Course Leader and Instructor/s (6:1 maximum guide to student ratio)
- AIARE Course Manual
- AIARE Field Book
- AIARE Certificate of Completion
- CAG professional ski or splitboard guide
- Use of Ortovox Avalanche Safety Gear if needed (beacon, shovel, probe, pack)
- Friends of CAIC Trailhead Membership ($35 value)
- Transportation from Gravity Haus Breckenridge to the trailhead
Trip Package Does Not Include
- Lodging – We encourage you to use your discount at Gravity Haus Breckenridge to stay overnight Thursday through Sunday. Simply open your app to book!
- Gratuity
- Clothing and Gear (a recommended packing list will be provided upon booking)
- Backcountry skis, splitboards or snowshoes – available to rent via Haus Quiver
- Transportation to Gravity Haus Breckenridge on Friday, and transportation to/from the trailhead on Sunday
- Insurance (Trip or Rescue) – Consider adding Spot Accident Insurance onto your membership if you don’t already have it.
- Meals not listed above
Area Info
Colorado Adventure Guides is based in Summit County and has the honor of hosting avalanche education courses in the Dillion and six surrounding ranger districts. For this class we will plan to keep it close to home, but will plan to use a variety of zones to insure our clients experiences the best snow conditions available for the planned course days. Areas include:
Dillon Area, Summit County, Colorado
Summit County is the heart of our operation with access to thousands of acres ridge lines, slopes and valleys. Summit Counties high altitude makes for great snow conditions all season long provides a wide variety of backcountry accessibility for all levels of backcountry skiers.
