Why is Mountain Rescue Aspen presenting an Avalanche Workshop?

Mountain Rescue Aspen’s dual mission is search & rescue and educating folks in safer backcountry use. We would much rather you were able to keep yourself safe than have to come get you. Many hundreds of people have taken this class over the years and have told us it was a major factor in keeping them out of trouble.

What is the Avalanche Workshop for?

Going into the mountain back country in the winter involves risk. Ski Patrols spend thousands of person-hours and thousands of pounds of explosives throughout the season working to assess and mitigate the inherent danger of avalanching in the ski areas. Step one foot outside of a ski area and you are in a different world – an unforgiving world that holds invisible dangers.

When you go “back country”, your safety – your very survival - is completely up to you and your comrades. How well you get through is based on the preparation, training, equipment, and most importantly the judgment of all the members in your party. By the time the Ski Patrol or Mountain Rescue can get to you following even a moderate avalanche, all we can usually do is recover your remains.

This workshop is a beginning in helping to prepare you to meet the challenge of the backcountry winter mountain environment.

What does the workshop cover?

This is primarily an orientation to the subject of risk management in avalanche terrain. Some of the topics covered are:

•   Basic Snowpack & Avalanche science
•   What equipment is need for backcountry travel
•   Beacon, Shovel and probe use
•   Understanding and Assessing risk in the Snowpack
•   Mitigating risk through judgment tools and safer route finding
•   Basic “snow pit” analysis
•   Companion Rescue
•   Much more

How is the workshop designed?

The workshop is presented in two main parts. We provide an expert lecture / presentation on Friday evening including an overview of the science of snowpack and avalanching, how to mitigate risk while traveling in the backcountry, equipment use, and what can be done if things go wrong.

We spend Saturday morning and early afternoon on a learning tour on the back of Aspen Mountain. Your tuition includes a one ride gondola ticket. On the tour you will travel in a small group (usually 8 to 10 people) with a guide who will coach you on terrain assessment, route finding, and basic snowpack analysis. As you travel the route, your group will spend time at teaching stations we have set up and staffed along the way, including a rescue demo, rescue practice, snow pit analysis and more.

Is this an official “Level 1” avalanche course?

No. Our participants tell us it is very thorough and helpful, but at best it is a strong “0.5” There are several providers in town of Avalanche level 1 and level 2 training. We strongly encourage you to continue your education.

Who should take this class?

Anyone who intends to go into the back country mountain environment could benefit from this class. Avalanche science, equipment, and techniques evolve constantly and our presenters are plugged in to the state of the art. Therefore even experienced, trained folks can get good stuff by attending.

What do I need to know about the “Field Day”?

To attend this you must have attended the previous evenings lecture. This is a moving terrain tour with teaching stations which goes from 8:30am until 2 or 3pm. The tour is approximately 2 miles long You should have the ability to move on snow (skis with skins or snowshoes) and have a pack with whatever you need to take care of yourself outside for that period of time (clothing, water, food, sunblock, etc.) If you have your own beacon, shovel and probe – bring them. Check in with your tour group leader about when to turn your beacons on and off so they don’t interfere with the training station scenarios.

What if I am a snowmobiler?

We will have a snowmobile group with an experienced back country rider leading the group. Friday night let us know if you will be attending the Saturday tour by snowmobile and we will get you lined out.

Do I have to register in advance?

Nope. Just show up at the venue indicated on the annual poster before 5:30pm Friday evening. We recommend showing up by 5:30pm for registration.