What:
Avalanche 1 Experiential (Avi 1 Ex), comprised of three course components for safe winter travel through Colorado’s backcountry
Duration:
Two single day trips in the field and one day of online preparation material (completed at your leisure)
Where:
Rocky Mountain National Park Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (U.S. Route 36, three miles west of the town of Estes Park)
When:
Weekends January- April (see schedule for details)
Difficulty:
Healthy and experienced skiers, snowboarders and snowshoe travelers will enjoy this course
Add Ons:
Rent or Buy
- Avalanche Beacon
- Avalanche Shovel & Probe
- Snowshoes
Includes:
Guides & Educators, Curriculum, Access to Readings. Rental equipment (beacon, probe, shovel, snow shoes skis…) is available for this course at industry standard rates.
What is the Avi 1 Ex?
Over the years many organizations have created different avalanche training courses. They have all been built in different ways and have there place for different types of people. Historically the Avalanche Level 1 was the precursor to the Avalanche level 2 and 3 courses. The Avalanche level 2 course is for guides and the level 3 course is for people who train guides and do avalanche forecasting. As the demand for avalanche awareness grew, many non career recreational backcountry travelers (skiers, snowmobilers, snowshoers) starting taking the various Avalanche Level 1 courses out there. Many providers emerged to serve the demand. Today you can find many similarities across providers. They all have about 8 hours of class room training and 2 days of in the field education. The way our Avalanche Level 1 Experiential differs is that it is more hands on (experiential) than other programs and while it can serve as the pre cursor for guide training, it is not our goal. This course is not for scientists it is for recreationalists. Our focus is to train backcountry recreational skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, and snowmobilers to have fun and be safe in the colorado winter backcountry.
Avi 1 ex Highlights
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Hide & Go Seek to teach single victim rescue
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Capture the Beacons for multi victim rescue
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Snow Battle (Dodge Ball Rules) after Snow pit sciences
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Drawing Avalanch Types in the Snow
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Build Snow Models to teach Avalanche Triggers
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Down hill riding introducing team travel strategy
The Avalanche 1 Ex package is comprised of 2 single day courses and 8 hours of online multimedia to cover the basics of avalanche and winter backcountry saftey before you arrive. The 2 day courses are Avalanche Rescue & Snow Travel. Each trip focuses on essential technical skills for backcountry snow travel. If you are interested in backcountry skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or snowmobiling, these courses are a first step towards having fun and staying safe in Colorado’s winter wonderland. Rentals such as probes, beacons, shovels and snowshoes are available.
Winter Conditions 2012
There isn’t much snow in the mountains this year and the snow that there is, is dangerous. This is the time to learn about avalanche terrain. Skip ice skidding for a weekend at the resorts and build your skills in the backcountry. In the backcountry you always have the best chances of powder and this year it is even more true. Additionally with the avalanche danger so high this time of year, it is a perfect opportunity to see first hand what to look out for in the the years to come. Take advantage of the great opportunity and sign up for our Avalanche Level 1 Experiential program while the resort skiing is weak and the avalanche environment is prominent.
Avi 1 Ex Skills
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Pre Trip Planning
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Equipment Requirements
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Probe, Beacon & Shovel Use
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Natural Hazards Overview
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Common Avalanche Triggers
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Red Flag Theory (Identify go/no-go situations)
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Snow Sciences
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Winter Backcountry Judgment Development
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Terrain Assessment
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Winter Navigation & Route Finding
Avalanche Level 1 Experiential (Avi 1 Ex) Package ($299)
Below are the three trip components that make up the Avalanche Level 1 Experiential package. Each trip builds on the next to give you the information you need to plan your trip, assess risk, respond to and avoid avalanches, and more safely enjoy Colorado’s beautiful winters in back country environments by snow shoe, ski, snowboard and snowmobile. Buy single days course by course or all three days together to save $50.
Snow Travel ($125)
Pre Trip Information
Snowshoeing is harder than hiking, but if you are a hiker then you are ready to snowshoe on this trip as we will take many breaks throughout the day for educational and recreational activities. If you are a strong skier or snowboarder you will particularly enjoy these trips and are welcome to travel by Splitboard, Tele or AT setups, with climbing skins.
Active and healthy participants will enjoy all of these trips. The hiking is challenging but there will be many breaks. Backcountry snow travel during the final trip will be moderate for teams that choose a low elevation gain route but incredibly cardio intensive for a team that chooses to attempt a summit.
This trip is gear intensive. You should dress to spend long period of times in very cold (below freezing) temperatures. It is much colder up in the park than in Denver. Layers are essential hat, gloves, warm/wind layers, ski jacket, ski pants, face mask….If you are on a Spring course this all might be needed or completely overboard. Bring the gear and you can store it in the car if needed. You will also need either Snowshoes, Tele/AT Skis or a Snowboard with climbing skins. Which ever method you choose to travel we recommend you bring poles (telescoping if traveling by board.) You will also need the standard avalanche rescue equipment including a beacon, shovel, probe.
Snowshoes ($12), beacons ($17) probes($7) and shovels ($7) are available for rent but supply is limited.
Gratuity: The outdoor industry depends on gratuity to ensure quality in the field. Your guide goes to incredible lengths to keep you safe. A tip of ten dollars per person per day is recommended for excellent service.
Cancellation Policy: All trips are non-refundable. In the case of inclement weather prior to the trip start you will be credited the amount paid for future use with Apex Ex valid for up to 1 year from the scheduled trip date. If you need to change your trip date there is a $20 rescheduling fee. No date changes are allowed within 7 days of your trip as we likely will not be able to fill your spot/s within that time frame.
Responsibility: In the case that a member of the party becomes sick or injured it is the responsibility of the group to abandon the summit attempt and assist in rescue. Additionally, if for any reason the guide determines the group is in unreasonable danger, it is the responsibility of the climbing members to stay with the guide. These situations are part of mountaineering and are non-refundable.
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