SILVERTHORNE WALKING TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Three Days on the Divide: AIARE 2 Camp‑Based Avalanche Training in Silverthorne
An immersive, 3-day AIARE 2 course that combines classroom instruction, backcountry field sessions and snow camping near Montezuma to sharpen avalanche decision‑making.
Three Days on the Divide: AIARE 2 Camp‑Based Avalanche Training in Silverthorne.
Set against the Continental Divide near Montezuma, this camp‑based AIARE 2 course is a compact, skills‑forward program that blends classroom grounding with practical fieldwork and overnight snow camping in the winter backcountry.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Continental Divide Backcountry
Training takes place in the winter backcountry near the Continental Divide, offering immediate exposure to the snowpack, terrain and weather factors central to avalanche assessment.
Advanced Avalanche Decision‑Making
The course emphasizes avalanche knowledge and practical decision‑making: students move beyond fundamentals into scenario‑based judgment in real winter field conditions.
Snow Camping and Field Practice
A distinctive element is overnight snow camping, which lets students practice prolonged backcountry living while applying classroom lessons in successive field sessions.
What the day feels like
What the three days feel like
Over three days, participants split time between classroom instruction and hands‑on field sessions: briefings and technical instruction followed by movement into the winter terrain for observations, snowpack tests and scenario work, capped by snow‑camp nights that extend learning into real backcountry living.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a winter backcountry course conducted over three days; expect cold conditions typical of Continental Divide winters and plan travel around winter access.
The program includes snow camping and field sessions, so participants should be prepared for winter backcountry living and follow the operator’s gear checklist for shelter, clothing and safety equipment.
The course is based out of Silverthorne with fieldwork near Montezuma and along the Continental Divide; specific meeting details and local logistics are provided by the course organizer.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the AIARE 2 camp‑based course?
The course runs over three days.
Where does the training take place?
Training is based in Silverthorne with field sessions in the winter backcountry near Montezuma and along the Continental Divide.
Does the course include overnight camping?
Yes — the camp‑based format includes snow camping as part of the curriculum.
What balance of classroom versus field time should I expect?
The program combines classroom learning with practical field sessions, alternating instruction with hands‑on exercises in the snowpack.
Will I practice avalanche assessment and decision‑making?
Yes — the course emphasizes avalanche knowledge and decision‑making skills applied in real backcountry scenarios.