Avalanche Level 1 Certification

We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to increase your winter knowledge of snow conditions in the surrounding mountains. Feel safe about getting out into the winter wonderland of Colorado.

Learn about the factors that make up an avalanche, analysis of the snow, route finding and proper avalanche beacon techniques. The first evening’s classroom is at different locations around the front range of Colorado, please see locations below. The rest of the class is on the snow with two full days in the spectacular setting of Rocky Mountain National Park! The on snow portion will include using beacons, digging snow pits, and running mock rescues. Please see our course outline.

This class is taught on snowshoes or skis that can climb up hill. This works great for all of you that snowshoe!

Learn about snow safety Skiers: This class is much better on snowshoes. We can accommodate those of you that must use skis, but the warmer snow boots will keep your feet much happier. Yes, this means you will miss a few turns in the snow, but the efficiency of doing this class is much better on snowshoes. What we found when teaching this class on skis is that there can be delays, so you must not head off for your own turns. If you are going to use your skis, make sure your ski skins work well. Skis need to be removed for digging pits and ski boots are not as warm as snowboots. Snowshoes climb steeper slopes faster, you can dig snow pits with them on, they are easy to use, they aid in keeping the class together, feet stay warmer and you will learn more. Please consider doing this class on snowshoes even if you are a skier. If you want to make some turns, go ski, if you want to learn about avalanche safety, take this class!

What is Level One Avalanche Certification?
There are many organizations that offer avalanche certification. The American Avalanche Association is the national organization that provides the guide lines for these snow safety courses. The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, AIARE is an organization dedicated to providing the course curriculum for this snow saftey course. All of our AIARE instructors are professionals experienced in the backcountry and trained in snow safety. This course is one of the best in the country and upon completion of this course, you should be able to take a Level II course anywhere in the world. On rare occasions, an elitist instructor/company offering level II/III courses think their class is the only legitimate course and want to charge you for another level I course. We apologize in advance for these people and recommend you find another course provider. Technically, Level I Certification is really a certificate of completion, as there is not a test you have to pass to be "Certified". We have taught this class to thousands of backcountry enthusiasts since 1985 and many have gone on to higher levels of certification.

Cost: $269.00
Gear Rental Package: $40.00
includes: snowshoes, poles, gaiters, avalanche beacon and a shovel

Dates:
1st night classroom from 6-10pm, 2+3rd day 8am meeting at Rocky Mountain National Park for your field training. (Park fees are extra) Saturday and Sunday are mixed days of field work and classroom sessions in beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park. Field work occurs outside and in any weather conditions so come prepared for anything that Mother Nature might have in store for us.

Avalanche Level 1 Certification locations:
We now have the 1st night classroom portion of this clinic in two locations from 6-10pm, all followed by a 2 days at Rocky Mountain National Park meeting at 8am for your day on the snow.
The classrooms are in Boulder, and Littleton. Please view the dates and locations for these clinics below.

Boulder Location:
The Boulder Avalanche Level 1 Certification classroom will be held at Boulder Senior Center East, 5660 Sioux Drive, Boulder, CO 80303-4145. To see a map for this location using Google Maps, please click: Map to Boulder Senior Center East.

Dates for Boulder: (To sign up online, click on the trip/clinic of your choice.)
Mar 11 + Mar 13 + Mar 14, 2010

Littleton Location:
The Littleton Avalanche Level 1 Certification classroom will be held at Carson Nature Center, 3000 W. Carson Dr., Littleton, CO 80120. To see a map for this location using Google Maps, please click: Carson Nature Center.

Dates for Littleton: (To sign up online, click on the trip/clinic of your choice.)
Mar 11 + Mar 13 + Mar 14, 2010

To register for this class, you can sign up online by clicking on the clinic date or give us a call:

On snow class location: in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The on snow portion of this class will start at 8:00am and meet at the Rocky Mountain Nature Center 1895 Fall River Road, Estes Park, Colorado 80517. Please use Googlemaps for directions to Rocky Mountain Nature Center

Refund Policy
Classes cancelled 48 hours or more in advance are able to be rescheduled (subject to availability) without penalty. Within 48 hours of the class start time, funds are committed and you will be charged for the class. Refunds will only be given if RA Guides is unable to provide the class as described.


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These avalanche classes will improve your knowledge of snow conditions.

More Clinic Information

Click here to see the Avalanche Safety Gear that we recommend you eventually own for safer backcountry travel.

Also available:
Avalanche Level 2 Certification
Snowshoe Clinics
for the Backcountry enthusiast
.
BOC Snow Reports


These organizations help with avalanche predictions:
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Crested Butte Avalanche Center
Avalanche.org is the central location for all things related to avalanches in the United States. Links to forecast centers and information.

Please click for a map to Rocky Mountain National Park or for our list of recommended clothing.

Places to stay in Estes Park, Colorado

Alpine Trail Ridge Inn
(800) 233-5023

Silver Moon Inn
(970) 586-6006

Rodeway Inn
(970) 586-5363

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
(970) 586-3386

RAGuides Logo
The Boulder Outdoor Center and Renaissance Adventure Guides have joined up to bring you these great classes and trips.

The Colorado Forest Service has some basic information on avalanches. It also has information on snowpack stability, terrain and how weather affects avalanche conditions. Please note that we know the terrain and conditions where our trip will go, and can show you avalanche slopes, yet be able to avoid the slide paths.

Renaissance Adventure Guides
730 E. Center Ave.
Denver, CO 80209


Questions?
Please call the BOC at:
303-444-8420

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Please see our online store.

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