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AIARE 2 Avalanche Safety Course: Hut Based

Lesson

Duration: 3 days

Features

Locally Owned
Small Group Sizes
Instant Book
$995 Adult
(Price/Person - Select # in Your Group)

Description

AIARE Level 2 Hut-Based Avalanche Course - Analyzing Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard

Take your avalanche education to the next level with a fully immersive backcountry learning experience. The AIARE 2 course is designed for experienced backcountry travelers looking to deepen their understanding of snow science, hazard evaluation, and decision-making in complex terrain. Based out of Carner’s Cabin, an off-grid backcountry hut perched at 11,700 feet on the Continental Divide, this course blends advanced avalanche training with real-world field application in a true winter wilderness environment.

Over three days, you’ll build on the foundations from AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue to refine your ability to analyze weather, snowpack, and terrain. You’ll learn to identify key observations, manage uncertainty, and apply a forecasting framework for trip planning and hazard assessment. In the evenings, discussions around the wood stove create space to process what you’ve learned, connect with peers, and talk through leadership strategies in the field.

Carner’s Cabin provides an inspiring and remote setting—surrounded by miles of San Isabel National Forest with no other structures in sight. The hut is equipped with a propane cook stove, indoor composting toilet, and essential kitchen tools. Students melt snow for water, bring their own sleeping systems, and learn first-hand what it takes to operate safely and efficiently in a winter backcountry environment. By the end of the course, you’ll leave with the confidence and skills to assess and manage avalanche hazards as a contributing leader in your backcountry group.

AIARE 2 Learning Objectives

OBSERVATIONS
  1. Identifying avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe
  2. Differentiating where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape
  3. Learning how to close gaps of uncertainty through identifying key observations within your group, the terrain, or the snowpack
WEATHER/SNOWPACK
  1. Interpreting weather, snow, and avalanche observations to make terrain decisions
  2. More advanced snow science and analysis
LEADERSHIP
  1. Leadership skills to use in a small team, including facilitating small group discussions, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies
  2. Implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absence of local supporting avalanche information

Duration

3 Full Days
  1. One Month Prior - E-learning materials, Level 1 review, and Student Manual for AIARE Level 1 are sent to be completed
  2. Day 1: travel to hut, settle in, and conduct afternoon classroom learning session
  3. Day 2: Classroom & Field Session - morning classroom in hut and afternoon field session
  4. Day 3: Hut breakdown, student-led tour, course close

Location

Our AIARE 2 course is run as a hut-based course at Carner's near Fremont Pass. Carnet's Cabin is a completely off-grid, private backcountry hut 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 which gives it a very remote feeling retreat yet it’s only 1.8 miles from the highway and parking area.

It’s a great base camp for backcountry adventures on the high Colorado trails. No electricity or running water – bring your own bottled water or melt snow on the woodburning stove. Indoor composting toilet facilities. Propane gas cook stove, kitchen and eating utensils (pots, pans, dishes, etc.), and oil lamps provided. Bring your own headlamp, hut booties, sleeping bag, pillowcase and toothbrush.

Your course instructors will contact you in advance to set up meeting details. Students will be encouraged to use our CAG company vans or to carpool to help alleviate trailhead overcrowding.

Ages & Requirments

Participants must be 18 years or older and in good physical condition for a multi-day winter backcountry trip involving travel on skis or splitboard while carrying a pack.
Completion of AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue courses is required prior to enrollment, along with at least one season of backcountry experience following AIARE 1. Participants should be proficient on their touring equipment and comfortable navigating steep, variable snow conditions similar to advanced resort terrain (blue/black runs).
Because this is a hut-based program in a high-alpine setting, students should be prepared for sustained cold, moderate exertion, and limited amenities. No prior hut experience is necessary—your instructors will guide you through all aspects of backcountry hut travel and safety.

What's Included

  • AIARE Certified Course Leader and Instructor(s) (6:1 maximum guide to student ratio)
  • AIARE Course Manual and weather-proof Field Book
  • AIARE Certificate of Completion
  • Use of Ortovox Avalanche Safety Gear if needed (beacon, shovel, probe, pack)
  • Transportation from designated meeting place to the trailhead
  • Dinners and breakfast
  • Hut fees

Not Included

  • Clothing and gear
  • Backcountry skis, splitboards or snowshoes (Rentals available)
  • Transportation to designated meeting place
  • Insurance (trip or rescue)
  • Instructor gratuity
  • Lunches and snacks

What to Bring / Wear

Required Equipment

  1. Avalanche Beacon
  2. Avalanche Probe
  3. Avalanche Shovel
  4. Overnight backpack (approx. 60L-70L)
  5. Alpine Touring Skis, Telemark Skis, or Splitboard
  6. Climbing Skins (must be properly fitted)
  7. Goggles
  8. Helmet
  9. Snow Study Kit – 2 thermometers, folding ruler, magnifying loupe, knotted cord, crystal card
  10. Sleeping bag (0 degree recommended)
  11. Sleeping pad (can be provided upon request)
  12. Headlamp
Most of the above is available for rent if needed from our Silverthorne Basecamp.
Recommended Clothing
  • Hard or softshell pants
  • Synthetic or merino wool base layer
  • Softshell jacket (optional)
  • Down or synthetic insulated jacket
  • Hardshell or water/wind resistant jacket
  • Light gloves for uphill travel
  • Warm gloves
  • Brimmed hat or visor
  • Sunglasses
  • Neck gaiter or buff

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Colorado Adventure Guides

FAQs

How physically fit do I need to be to take this course?

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.

How and when do I meet up with my group for the course?

Your course instructors will contact you in advance to set up details. Students will be encouraged to use our CAG company vans or to carpool to help alleviate trailhead overcrowding.

Does the AIARE 2 certificate expire?

The AIARE 2 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.

Should I tip my course instructor?

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%.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy

Refunds for Hut Courses - An administrative fee of 10% will be assessed for all cancellations. Refunds will be honored for cancellations more than 30 DAYS PRIOR to a hut course start time. If you need to cancel within the 30 day period, and we are able to fill your spot, we will refund your payment less a 10% fee. If we cannot fill your spot, you will be charged the full amount. Notice of cancellation more than 30 days in advance will receive a full refund less a 10% administrative fee.

Rescheduling Policy

An administrative fee of 10% will be assessed for all rescheduling. Rescheduling will be honored 30 DAYS PRIOR to any hut course. If you need to reschedule within the 30 day period, and we are able to fill your spot, we will reschedule your booking with a 10% fee. If we cannot fill your spot, we will be unable to reschedule our booking.

No-shows will be charged the full price.

All activities are Rain or Shine. In case of operator cancellation due to adverse or unsafe conditions prior to start time, first the operator will attempt to reschedule. If rescheduling is not possible, the client will receive a full refund. Operator, including guides in the field, reserve the right to shorten or reroute activity in the case of unmanageable hazards or inability of guest to complete the objective. Completion of objective-based routes is not guaranteed.

Contact us by phone (970) 893-8007 or info@coloradoadventureguides.com to inquire about a cancellation or reschedule.

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Availability

February 2026

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Location

Address

204 Ryan Gulch Rd.

Silverthorne, CO, 80498

US

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