Hut Related Workshops, Events and Courses
- Avalanche Courses
- Events and Trips
- Backcountry Exploration Program
- Summer Internship Program
- Related Education Links
Avalanche Safety Courses
This winter there are two different types of avalanche courses being offered at the huts. There are the standard Level 1 courses which follow the AIARE curriculum for Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain, taught by Aspen Alpine Guides. In addition this winter there will also be an Advanced Level 1 course taught by Aspen Expeditions. This course is intended for those who have recently taken an AIARE (or equivalent) Level 1 course and would like more in-the-field experience. The class will introduce some Level 2 concepts and snow science but will focus on the practical application of Level 1 skills in a touring enviroment. For more info and schedules please follow the links below:
Level 1 Avalanche Course
These level I avalanche classes follow the AIARE curriculum for Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain
The level one is a 3 day/24 hour introduction to avalanche hazard management. The course is expected to:
- Provide a basic understanding of avalanches
- Describe a framework for decision making and risk management in avalanche terrain
- Focus on identifying the right questions, rather than on providing “answers.”
- Give lessons and exercises that are practically oriented, useful, and applicable in the field.
Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).
All courses begin Thursday night in Leadville with a lecture, followed by a Friday morning lecture. We will then travel into the backcountry for two nights at the Sangree Froelicher hut.
All participants should be comfortable on backcountry touring gear, either touring skis with skins, splitboard with skins or snowshoes. Advanced Level 1 students must have completed Level 1 or the equivalent.
Avalanche courses are offered through Aspen Alpine Guides and hosted by 10th Mountain Division Hut Association. Classes are limited in size and fill quickly. To register, contact Scott Messina via email.
Dates for winter 2011-2012 avalanche courses are as follows:
Level 1 Avalanche Course at Sangree M. Froelicher Hut (3 days, 3 nights)
December 15-18, 2011 (Thursday night, Friday-Sunday)
Price: $375 per person More Information
Level 1 Avalanche Course at Sangree M. Froelicher Hut (3 days, 3 nights)
January 5-8 , 2012 (Thursday night, Friday-Sunday)
Price: $375 per person More Information
Level 1 Avalanche Course at Sangree M. Froelicher Hut (3 days, 3 nights)
January 26-29, 2012 (Thursday night, Friday-Sunday)
Price: $375 per person More Information
Advanced Level 1 Avalanche Course
These Advanced Level 1 avalanche classes are offered for those who have recently taken an AIARE (or equivalent) Level 1 course and will greatly benefit from a follow-up course that applies the Level 1 curriculum in a practical "touring" environment. This is a 3 day/2 night course hosted at the Braun Huts and enrollment is limited to only 7 students per course.
Students can expect to enhance their decision-making ability in a "guided" scenario that utilizes avalanche terrain and focuses on:
- Appropriate backcountry gear
- Safe travel techniques in avalanche terrain
- Communication both prior to and on slope
- Collecting and Documenting snow science data
- Companion rescue techniques and procedure
Advanced Level 1 Avalanche Course at Tagert Hut (3 days, 2 nights)
March 28-30, 2012 (Wednesday-Friday)
Price: $350 per person More Information
Advanced Level 1 Avalanche Course at Green-Wilson Hut (3 days, 2 nights)
April 11-13, 2012 (Wednesday-Friday)
Price: $350 per person More Information
These courses are offered by Aspen Expeditions and hosted by the Braun Hut System and the Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association. Classes are limited in size and we expect these to fill quickly. To register, please contact Aspen Expeditions at (970)-925-7625, stop by the office at the Highlands Plaza at the Highlands Base Ski Area, or online at www.aspenexpeditions.com.
Other Avalanche Courses
In addition to the 10th Mountain sponsored avalanche workshops listed above, avalanche education is available through private guide services, community colleges, and other groups. Some courses are mulit-day events, often based out of a hut, while other programs are classroom based or involve a day field trip. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center offers a thorough list of avalanche education providers on the education page of the CAIC website.
Events and Trips
Wilderness Medicine Institute: Wilderness First Aid & Wilderness First Responder Recertification — Sponsored by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS and 10th Mountain Division Hut Association.
Dates 2012:
Course #1: Thursday 6/28 and Friday 6/29—includes lodging at the hut on Wednesday 6/27 and Thursday 6/28
Course #2: Saturday 6/30 and Sunday 7/1—includes lodging at the hut on Friday 6/29 and Saturday 6/30
Course #3: Saturday 9/8 and Sunday 9/9—includes lodging at the hut on Friday 9/7 and Saturday 9/8
Cost: $225 includes 2 nights lodging at the Harry Gates Hut. *No Refunds*
Contact: For more info call us at 970-925-4554 or email us.Introduction to Hut Use Course
Paragon Guides in collaboration with the Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association with will be offering an Introduction to Hut Use December 16-18, 2011 for anyone looking to improve their hut touring skills. The 3 day program is open to all skiers and snowshoers. Professional guides will discuss safe winter travel skills, map and compass, group dynamics, winter survival and self-rescue skills, equipment maintenance and repair, food planning, hut operation and duties. For more information and an itinerary please download the PDF below.
This Class has been canceled for this winter. Next winter's dates are TBD.
Vail/Aspen Interconnect Ski Tour
A less aggressive version of the Benedict 100 ski tour, the Interconnect Tour explores the classic Vail to Aspen route from the western side of the 10th Mountain Hut System. The 5-day tour begins south of Vail near the town of Eagle. This route uses some of the original huts built by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association and nearly completed Fritz Benedict’s dream of linking these famous Colorado ski resorts. For more information please download the PDF below.
Vail/Aspen Interconnect Info
The Benedict 100 Hut to Hut Ski Trip
The 10th Mountain Division Hut Association along with Aspen Alpine Guides will be doing the Benedict 100 from January 29 - February 3, 2012. This trip is an extraordinary opportunity to ski hut to hut from Aspen to downtown Vail through some of Colorado’s most breathtaking backcountry.
This trip is not for the faint of heart though. We will be covering close to 100 miles over the course of the trip with long days and the potential for lots of trail breaking. We will maintain a slow pace but it will be a steady, constant pace. You will need to be physically prepared to cover anywhere from 10 to 20 miles a day on skis in midwinter conditions. It will be an adventure as rewarding as it is challenging. For a sample itinerary and more information please download the PDF below.
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