Colorado Mountain School

❄️AAI Avy Awareness Series: 101 ❄️
Come join us for a fun + engaging night covering the basics of avalanche safety and smarter decision-making in the winter backcountry!

ZEAL Optics Avalanche Awareness Night
Presented by Colorado Mountain School & The American Avalanche Institute

📍 Zeal Optics Retail Store (Boulder, CO)
📅 Thursday, February 19
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM
💰 FREE + open to the public

Whether you’re brand new to touring or just want a solid refresher before heading into bigger terrain, this one-hour clinic will walk you through:

✔️ Avalanche basics + red flags
✔️ Terrain assessment + snowpack clues
✔️ Human factors in decision-making
✔️ Practical trip planning strategies
✔️ Gear recommendations from Colorado Mountain School & Rab
✔️ Live Q&A with a licensed IFMGA mountain guide + professional avalanche educator

Expect real-world stories, actionable takeaways, and insights you can immediately apply to your next ski or splitboard tour.

No registration required — just show up, bring your questions, and get stoked for winter

Looking for field-based avalanche training? Check out our courses here through the link in our bio 👀

Tag your touring partner + we’ll see you there!

This past weekend we ran our Classic Ice Climb course out at Hidden Falls! As a guided climbing day, this course is a great option for those looking to build volume on ice in a supportive setting, or for anyone who has already taken our Intro to Ice Climbing course and wants to continue progressing.

If you have any questions about this course or any of our offerings, feel free to reach out via DM, email, or give us a call. We’d love to climb with you!

02.01.2026 Conditions Update - The Loch & Hidden Falls

Black Lake Conditions - 01.19.2026

The Great Dihedral — 12/30/25

Looking to build skills in a specific area, prepare for an objective, or need a course that better fits your schedule? We offer custom guiding year-round and love helping you gain the skills and confidence to reach your goals—or tick off a big objective. Book online or reach out with any questions!

A look into our recent Avalanche Level 1 Hut course at 7 Utes Yurt last weekend! We still have a few spots and dates open at the yurt this season — message our team with any questions. We’d love to have you join us!

Happy Holidays from the team at Colorado Mountain School! We hope you’re staying safe and enjoying time in the mountains. Thank you for being part of our community, and wishing you all a strong finish to the year!

Recent photos from Do Not Descend and All Mixed Up 12/21/25.

Free snowsaw when you enroll in a Rec Rescue course ❄️

📅 12/28 or 1/4
📍 Colorado Mountain School
Use code CMSSNOWSAW at checkout

That’s a wrap on our recent Intro to Mountaineering course!

This two-day course starts with a full day of snow travel skills, including moving efficiently as a roped team, belaying techniques in crampons, and proper use of a mountaineering axe. On day two, we put it all together and climb a route.

We have weekend dates available now through the summer. If you have any questions, send us a DM or give our office a call — we’d love to chat!