Here is a list of some our favorite backcountry bookmarks to keep your head in the game this winter. From daily forecasts with the CAIC to education opportunities, avalanche learning opportunities, and more. Most recently, TMtC and the PI Avy Fund have partnered with Friends of the San Juans and Silverton Avalanche School on a repository for backcountry awareness tools and resources. Check it out and start exploring at nobackcountrydays.com!
Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC)
North San Juans: http://avalanche.state.co.us/forecasts/backcountry-avalanche/north-san-juan/
The CAIC puts out daily forecasts for different zones around the state. Bookmark this page and read it daily. It will give you a good understanding of the current snowpack, any avalanche problems that might exist, and observations from CAIC staff and fellow skiers.
Zone weather forecasts: https://avalanche.state.co.us/forecasts/weather/zone-forecast/
Avalanche Observations: https://avalanche.state.co.us/observations/avalanches/
Terminology & Resources
Avalanche Encyclopedia: https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/#anchors
North American Avalanche Danger Scale: https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/danger-scale/ (better understand what you’re reading in daily forecasts)
Snow, Weather and Avalanche Guidelines: https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/swag
Education
Local Avalanche Education Courses:
*Silverton Avalanche School
*San Juan Outdoor Adventures
*Mountain Trip
*Telluride Mountain Guides
AIARE Avalanche Courses – Rec Program: https://avtraining.org/recprogram/
AIARE Avalanche Courses – Pro Program: https://avtraining.org/aiare-professional-avalanche-training/
AIARE Course Dates Calendar – http://aiare.info/course_list.php
American Avalanche Institute Courses & Calendar – https://www.americanavalancheinstitute.com/registration/
American Avalanche Association Course Info – https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/educators/
Know Before You Go Free Avalanche Awareness Program – http://kbyg.org
Backcountry Radios
Telluride Backcountry Radio Program – https://telluridemountainclub.org/backcountry-radio-program/
How to Change Channels on the BCA Radios – https://telluridemountainclub.org/change-preset-channels-bca-link-radio/
Weather Links
North San Juan Weather Stations (and other weather stations around the state) – http://avalanche.state.co.us/observations/weather-stations/
NOAA – http://f1.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.93604979999992&lon=-107.8512316#.WhTw8LaZM_U
OpenSnow – https://opensnow.com/location/telluride
Weather Underground – https://www.wunderground.com/weather/us/co/81435—telluride/81435
Avalanche Articles
Rescue at Cheery Bowl (how a companion rescue course saved three lives) – https://www.avalanche.ca/cherry-bowl/#/intro
Snow Fall – The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek (an overview of the avalanche accident at Stevens Pass) – http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2012/snow-fall/index.html#/?part=tunnel-creek
The Human Factor 2.0 (a look at various avalanche accidents) – https://storied.storied.co/human-factor-2.0/chapter-1
The Human Factor – https://www.powder.com/videos/introducing-human-factor/
Mental Health
Survivors of Outdoor Adventures and Recovery: http://soar4life.org
The Climbing Grief Fund: https://americanalpineclub.org/grieffund
