Join us at our HQ at El Rancho for this year’s series of free classes and programs (donations are appreciated). Seating is limited, register here.

Spring and Summer Avalanches: Strategic Decisions for Peak Baggers (rescheduled)

Snow-fill couloirs can offer direct routes to summits and quick, fun descents, but those routes become dangerous avalanche paths when the snow turns wet. For springtime and early summer peak climbers wet snow avalanches are a very different beast than their dry-snow winter cousins. (Wet snow avalanches are more similar to an angry swarm of bees than the lone, reclusive rattlesnake that portrays the dry snow avalanche.) Come and learn about wet avalanches and what to look for, so you and your friends can travel more safely in the high peaks.

Alpine member Dale Atkins is a 40-plus-year veteran of mountain rescue, ski patroling and avalanche science. He is an internationally recognized avalanche expert, a past president of the American of Avalanche Association and a former forecaster for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

Skills for the Hills is Alpine Rescue Team's public wilderness and backcountry education program. Our classes are free, however we appreicate donations at the door. We never charge you, your family or the local authorities for search and rescue.

Support Alpine Rescue Team and all Colorado SAR teams by purchasing a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) Card. Buy a five-year ($12) or one-year ($3) card online .

"Skills for the Hills" is used with permission of Mountain Aid, Scotland.

Please park in RTD’s El Rancho Park n’ Ride across the street or the lower, dirt lot – DO NOT park on Alpine’s or Foothill Fire Department’s asphalt parking lots or driveways.  Thank you.