Wolf Creek Avalanche School

The Wolf Creek Backcountry Beacon Training Park is up and running at the east end of the Lobo parking lot, Wolf Creek Pass.

The regional Snow and Avalanche Workshops are happening. We just attended 4SAW in person in Silverton last weekend and CSAW virtually yesterday and today. Check them out online for every region in the West (and East). They are a great way to get your brain back in the snow game with winter just around the corner (or here! in the case of Wolf Creek).

Valuable thoughts from one of the masters.

Ed LaChapelle: The Ascending Spiral - The Avalanche Review Rather than seeing mastery of avalanche science and decision-making as linear progression, Ed LaChapelle sees it as an ascending spiral.

Have time on your hands while you're waiting for more snow? Want to brush up on your avalanche knowledge?

Watch the Know Before You Go video and explore the NEW e-learning modules: https://avalanche.state.co.us/education/caic-programs/know-before-you-go-colorado/

The Friends of CAIC produced two pre-recorded versions of the KBYG presentations featuring CAIC forecasters. There are five new interactive courses to explore. They are excellent preparation for your Level 1 course later this season, or additional learning after you've watched the presentations.

Ski touring during the COVID-19 pandemic is not only possible, but can be a great way to get out and enjoy yourself. We all just need to put in a little more thought and preparation.

SKI TOURING DURING THE AGE OF COVID Ski touring during the COVID-19 pandemic is not only possible, but can be a great way to get out and enjoy yourself. We all just need to put in a little more thought and preparation. We called on a few friends and experts to help understand how to explore the backcountry safely, even in the midst of...

It won’t be long now. Stay safe in the backcountry this winter. Check the CAIC Forecast before you head out.

Taking and sharing the Forecast Pledge just might result in those other groups at the trailhead checking it too! Help us build this community today at ForecastPledge.org

Register for courses at Wolf Creek with the Silverton Avalanche School.

What I Learned in Avalanche School I wanted to be prepared for the worst nature could throw at me. But the real threat turned out to be human.

Thank you CAIC!

The Wolf Creek Avalanche School Beacon Training Park is now set up and ready to use at the Lobo Parking Lot, Wolf Creek Pass.

Game on! Thanks CAIC

Today is a relative break in the weather action with increasing Southwest winds, but not a break from careful snowpack and terrain evaluation. The Aspen, Steamboat, and Front Range forecast zones still rest at CONSIDERABLE (3of5) avalanche danger near and above tree-line. Human-triggered avalanches are likely in those zones and could be deep enough to bury and kill a skier or rider. Remote triggering is a factor to consider as well.

Elsewhere, the avalanche hazard is MODERATE (2of5) near and above tree-line and the likelihood of triggering still rests in the likely to possible range. However, the anticipated slides would not be as large. That said, careful evaluation of the snowpack and the terrain including adjacent terrain and the consequences of triggering a smaller avalanche are essential.

The Thanksgiving storm is still on track to impact western Colorado through Saturday. The San Juans look to get pounded with storm totals in the 20-40” range with up to 3” of snow water equivalent in favored locations. Look for an increase in avalanche danger as this potent storm unfolds.

Please submit your obs on our website or through the mobile app and tag your avalanche related posts at

Photo: GOES 17 satellite image from this morning illustrating the strong area of low pressure over Oregon and a plume of moisture from the Southwest out into the Pacific