The 2019/2020 winter avalanche season has started off tough with a fatality on Camron Pass. Several skiers were caught in a slide in a closed area within the Steamboat Ski Resort. One of our own guys witnessed a slide on Walton Peak… The historically nasty Colorado snowpack is living up to its reputation.
Colorado Leads the Nation
Colorado has the dubious title of leading the nation in most avalanche fatalities. Backcountry skiers lead this statistic with snowmobilers catching up fast. The sad part is avalanche fatalities can be avoided through education and safe backcountry practices. Knowledge is the key.
Ski Haus has been offering an Avalanche Awareness Program with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center since the early 80’s. This year’s event will occur January 10 and 11, 2020. With the increase of popularity in alpine touring skiing and also snowmobiling – this informative clinic is more important than ever.
Avalanche Awareness Clinic Details
The clinic begins Friday, January 10, 2020 at the CMC Allbright Auditorium. From 7pm to 9pm is a free, open to the public, discussion/slideshow presented by the CAIC. All are welcome. Cash donations to benefit the CAIC are encouraged. Topics include current snowpack conditions, red-flag warning signs, weather, safety tools (shovels, probes, transceivers, inflatable avalanche packs etc), rescue, local avalanche incidents and more.
Saturday, January 11, 2020 is an all day session on Rabbit Ears Pass. $45. Limited to 20 people. Sign up at Ski Haus. You must prepay to get your name on the list. No refunds! All money to benefit the CAIC. The field day is a great way to apply the information from the previous night’s session with hands on practice in the snow.
The day includes digging snow pits to analyze snowpack stability, transceiver practice, rescue techniques (shoveling and probing), and learning practical winter backcountry travel knowledge.
The day is lead by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center with support from members of the Steamboat Ski Patrol.
Sign up early. This class always fills up fast!