AIARE 1 Avalanche Safety Course: Hut Based - Carner's Cabin or NOLO

Spend the weekend with avalanche professionals in the backcountry, learning about snow safety while sipping tea in front of a crackling wood stove. Backcountry ski or snowboard right to the hut to enjoy a cold beer while debriefing the day. Students will practice preparing for and carrying out a backcountry trip, keeping track of conditions, communicating, making decisions about hazards while in the backcountry, and will learn rescue techniques, as well as how to execute a winter backcountry hut trip!

• One Month Prior - E-learning materials and Student Manual for AIARE Level 1 are sent
• Day 1: Classroom & Field Session - travel to hut, settle in, and learn companion rescue
• Day 2: Classroom & Field Session - Classroom in hut and afternoon field session to learn how to make relevant observations in the field
• Day 3: Field Application: Hut breakdown, student-led tour, course close

This course can be taken on alpine touring skis or a splitboard. 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 a ski resort.

Colorado Adventure Guides’ priority is keeping our patrons and students safe. Our instructors are trained to recognize potentially hazardous situations in the backcountry; they plan and operate accordingly. Prior to the start of any course or backcountry trip you will complete a brief health history. The failure to disclose pertinent information on the health history form could result in serious harm, even death, to the signing participant, other guests and/or the guide. All information submitted is completely confidential; it is for the guide’s use and would only be shared in the event of an emergency with medical and/or rescue personnel directly caring for the guest. This can be a physically demanding course, and your ability to enjoy the adventure depends on your health and fitness, thus it’s recommended that you are in good physical condition.

The AIARE 1 course is developed for new to intermediate backcountry users, or for those looking to formalize their education. This course is for experienced resort skiers/riders that have knowledge of how to use their backcountry touring equipment. Not quite there yet? Check out our 1-day Intro to Ski/Splitboard Courses.

The AIARE 1 course is part 1 of the Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain program. The Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain program is a recreational program that consists of 3 courses spanning a total of 7 days. While there is no actual certification after taking all the courses, you will obtain course completions. With that said, the AIARE 1 course is a prerequisite to the AIARE 2 course, and so you must attend the AIARE 1 course to continue with the program.

The AIARE 1 certificate does not have an expiration date, however, it is strongly encouraged that you practice and maintain the skills and knowledge covered in this course. Colorado Adventure Guides offers Avalanche Refresher and Rescue Courses to help keep your backcountry knowledge and skills fresh.

Your instructors work hard before, during, and after your course to provide you with the best safety education and a great experience, and while not expected, gratuities are always highly appreciated. If you had a safe, educational, and fun experience, gratuities typically range from 15-20%.

Carner’s Cabin is a private completely off-grid, private backcountry hut and located on the Continental Divide at an elevation of 11,700 ft. Surrounded by thousands of acres of San Isabel National Forest, there are no other structures for miles, and none in sight, for a very remote feeling retreat that’s only 1.8 miles from the highway and parking area.

Carner’s Cabin is a great base camp for backcountry adventures on the high Colorado trails. Wildlife sightings are very common. No electricity or running water – bring your own bottled water or melt snow on the wood burning stove. Indoor composting toilet facilities. Propane gas cook stove, kitchen utensils (pots, pans, etc.), and oil lamps provided. Bring your own headlamp, hut booties, sleeping bag, pillowcase and toothbrush. Capacity at Carner’s is 8 students.

Just south of Breckenridge and West of Alma, the North London Mill site lies at the base of Mosquito Pass. Colorado Adventure Guides has partnered with the North London Mill Preservation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, to help preserve Colorado’s mining heritage while developing an alternative model for outdoor recreation.  Renovation was completed in 2023 on the old mill office which became the first of several backcountry huts and education venues. NOLO hut capacity is 6 students.