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Colorado Avalanche Info Center

@coavalancheinfo

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Providing avalanche information, education, and research.
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📣 The 25th annual Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop (CSAW) is coming up Friday, Oct. 16, in Breckenridge 📣 Join avalanche professionals from across Colorado and beyond to explore the snow science, research and operational experience from the field. This year's presentations cover topics including avalanche forecasting, search and rescue, group decision-making, and the influence of El Niño and La Niña on Colorado's snowpack. CSAW is an opportunity to learn from one another and bring new knowledge and ideas into the work we do to improve avalanche safety. 🐦 Early bird registration ends Friday, Oct. 9, at 11:59 p.m. View the agenda and register through @friendsofcaic 📍 Breckenridge Riverwalk Center 📅 Friday, Oct. 16 | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. #coavalancheinfo #CAIC #coloradosnow❄️ #snowscience #CSAW2026 A large audience fills the Breckenridge Riverwalk Center as a speaker presents on public backcountry avalanche forecasts during the Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop (CSAW). by @coavalancheinfo
2
7 days ago
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After an avalanche accident, decision-making often receives close scrutiny, but focusing only on decision errors can overlook other factors that may be critical to preventing future accidents. What else should we investigate to ensure we are learning from accidents? At the 25th annual CSAW, renowned avalanche researcher Ian McCammon will look at three categories of risk identified in other high-risk fields: procedural, structural, and emergent. His talk will focus on emergent risk, which may help explain accidents attributed to “human factors,” and a developing set of tools to address those risks in avalanche terrain. CSAW is a full-day program of engaging presentations on the latest research, operational insights, and real-world lessons from leaders across the avalanche community. 🎟️Link in bio to get Early Bird prices and see the full speaker agenda. Prices increase Oct. 10! 🗓️Friday, October 16 ⏰8 a.m.-4 p.m. 📍Breckenridge Riverwalk Center 🍻Happy Hour to follow by @coavalancheinfo
1
11 days ago
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Last month, we hosted @colorado_dnr (Department of Natural Resources) HR staff for a field tour to learn more about CAIC’s avalanche forecasting and public safety work. Led by CAIC Director Ethan Greene, the tour included a look at Colorado’s highway avalanche safety program, from Herman Gulch along I-70 to avalanche paths affecting US 6 near Loveland Pass. The group also visited several backcountry sites on Loveland Pass, including Sheep Creek, where five people were tragically killed in one avalanche in 2013. Thanks to our DNR colleagues for joining us in the field and getting a closer look at the work CAIC does across Colorado. 📸: CAIC Director Ethan Greene and DNR HR staff during a field tour near Loveland Pass, highlighting CAIC’s highway and backcountry avalanche safety work. #CAIC #coavalancheinfo #avalancheforecasting #coavyobs Eight CAIC and Colorado Department of Natural Resources staff pose together during the field tour, with forested mountains and fall colors in the background. by @coavalancheinfo
2
11 days ago
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Congratulations to CAIC’s Ron Simenhois, who received the @american_avalanche_association's Special Service Award this week at @issw2026whistler. The award recognizes outstanding service to the North American snow and avalanche community. Ron’s career spans more than two decades in avalanche forecasting and research. He is best known for developing the Extended Column Test (ECT), now widely used by avalanche professionals in the U.S. and around the world. His work has also included research on crack propagation, wet and storm snow avalanches, glide avalanches, decision-making and other applied avalanche science. We’re stoked to see Ron recognized for both his contributions to the field and the curiosity, generosity and mentorship he brings to the avalanche community. 📸 2026 ISSW: Ron receiving the American Avalanche Association’s Special Service Award, while his son, Itai Sheleg, is presenting his own avalanche research as a 2026 Young Snow Professional Award recipient. Large screen at ISSW 2026 displaying “Special Service Award, Ron Simenhois 2026” alongside a photo of Ron in snowy mountain terrain. by @coavalancheinfo
2
15 days ago
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Have you heard? Super El Niño is coming! But what does that mean? And what’s so super about it? At the 25th Annual Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop (CSAW), Greg Heavener will dive into the details behind ENSO, or the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, and what it means for our upcoming winter. Greg is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) at NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) office in Boulder, primarily working with first responders and emergency management, ensuring NWS provides the most accurate products and services. CSAW is a full-day program of engaging presentations on the latest research, operational insights, and real-world lessons from leaders across the avalanche community.  🎟️Link in bio to get Early Bird prices and see the full speaker agenda. Prices increase Oct. 10! 🗓️Friday, October 16 ⏰8 a.m.-4 p.m. 📍Breckenridge Riverwalk Center 🍻Happy Hour to follow by @coavalancheinfo
2
17 days ago
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This week, CAIC is joining avalanche professionals and researchers from around the world in Whistler, British Columbia, for the 2026 International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW). ISSW brings together researchers and practitioners to share new science, operational experience and ideas that can improve avalanche forecasting, decision-making and public safety. CAIC staff are presenting work on avalanche safety, forecasting and risk communication, snowpack and avalanche modeling, climate trends, and emerging technologies. The workshop is also a great opportunity to learn from the international avalanche community and bring new research and ideas back to our work in Colorado. Learn more at @issw2026whistler. #ISSW2026 #AvalancheScience #coavalancheinfo #CAIC Snow-covered mountains near Whistler, British Columbia, with the ISSW Whistler 2026 logo centered in the blue sky above the peaks. by @coavalancheinfo
1
18 days ago
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CAIC is pleased to announce Krista Beyer has been promoted to Senior Backcountry Avalanche Forecaster for the Southern Mountains. Krista has been a CAIC backcountry forecaster based in Silverton since 2023. In her new role, she’ll help lead forecasting and coordinate fieldwork across the Southern Mountains, working closely with CAIC’s backcountry and highway teams across the state. Congratulations, Krista! 📸: We’re not sure who looks more at home in the mountains? A few photos from Krista working in the field, including one of the Greatest Of All Time field photos 🐐 #CAIC #coavalancheinfo #avalancheforecasting #coavyobs #CAICSMountains A CAIC forecaster stands with ski poles on a snowy mountain ridge under a bright blue sky, with snow-covered peaks stretching into the distance. by @coavalancheinfo
33
21 days ago
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How do you find a missing person who was traveling alone? Sadly, the only avalanche fatality in Colorado last season was unwitnessed near Vail Pass. Using specialized personnel to operate an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), in concert with rescuers on the ground, Summit County Rescue Group (SCRG) assisted in locating the victim.  At this year’s Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop (CSAW), hear from SCRG volunteers Austin Finnell and Drew Gibson about the techniques they used to gather information with UAS to help focus rescue efforts in the right places. CSAW is a full-day program of engaging presentations on the latest research, operational insights, and real-world lessons from leaders across the avalanche community. 🎟️Link in bio to get Early Bird prices. 🗓️Friday, October 16 ⏰8 a.m.-4 p.m. 📍Breckenridge Riverwalk Center 🍻Happy Hour to follow by @coavalancheinfo
11
23 days ago
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Have you ever been afraid to share your opinion with a group, even though you know you should? At the 25th Annual Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop, Dr. Sara Boilen will discuss some barriers to group communication and help us move beyond FACETS, the six heuristic traps: Familiarity, Acceptance, Consistency, Expert Halo, Tracks/Scarcity, and Social Facilitation. She’ll discuss how learning to listen and cultivating a sense of belonging in our touring groups can help us manage risks related to the Human Factor more effectively. CSAW is a full-day program of engaging presentations on the latest research, operational insights, and real-world lessons from leaders across the avalanche community. 🎟️Link in bio to get Early Bird prices. 🗓️Friday, October 16 ⏰8 a.m.-4 p.m. 📍Breckenridge Riverwalk Center 🍻Happy Hour to follow by @coavalancheinfo
2
a month ago
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❄ We're hiring: Backcountry Avalanche Forecaster – Southern Mountains CAIC is currently hiring a backcountry avalanche forecaster to support avalanche safety across southern Colorado, including the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountains. This position combines avalanche forecasting, fieldwork, snow and weather analysis, public-safety communication and education. It’s meaningful work supporting Colorado’s backcountry community, with the opportunity to build a career in snow science and avalanche safety. The position is based in Colorado’s southern mountains, so regular access to the San Juan region is key. This is a State of Colorado position with full-time winter hours, reduced hours during the rest of the year, and state benefits. 🔗 Learn more and apply via the link in our profile 📸: @friendsofcaic / Donny O'Neill #coavalancheinfo #CAICSMountains #coavyobs #avalancheforecasting Avalanche forecaster examines snow crystals on a blue crystal card beside a snow pit, with snow measurement tools visible nearby. by @coavalancheinfo
5
a month ago
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Will an avalanche reach the road? It’s a critical question for highway avalanche forecasters, and @coavalancheinfo researchers are working to answer it. Using drones, the team is mapping how snow depth varies across an avalanche start zone, then using those measurements in snowpack and avalanche models to estimate where an avalanche could release and how far it might run. 📸Last winter, a skier-triggered avalanche near Loveland Pass gave researchers a chance to compare the modeling with what actually happened on the slope. The models identified the unstable part of the slope and placed the most likely trigger point near where the avalanche actually broke, a strong real-world check of the forecast. At the Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop (CSAW) on Oct. 16, CAIC’s Valerie Foley and Ryan Zarter will share what they’ve learned so far and how this work could support avalanche forecasting and mitigation along Colorado highways. CSAW is a full-day program of engaging presentations on the latest research, operational insights, and real-world lessons from leaders across the avalanche community. We hope to see you there!  🎟️ Early Bird tickets: link in bio 🗓️ Friday, Oct. 16 ⏰ 8 a.m.–4 p.m. 📍 Breckenridge Riverwalk Center 🍻 Happy Hour to follow by @coavalancheinfo
2
a month ago
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CAIC is hiring a part-time Field Technician based in the Fraser Valley 🗻 This seasonal position offers hands-on avalanche experience working alongside CAIC forecasters to collect snow, weather and avalanche observations across Rocky Mountain National Park’s west side, the Never Summer Range and the Medicine Bow Range. It’s a great opportunity for someone with foundational avalanche training who wants to gain more field experience, strengthen their snow and avalanche observation skills, and contribute directly to avalanche safety in Colorado. This position is based in the Fraser Valley, and regular access to the area throughout the winter is a key part of the job. Learn more and apply via the link in our profile. 📅 Apply by Sept. 19, 2026 #CAIC #coavalancheinfo #ColoradoJobs #AvalancheScience #snowscience #AvalancheForecast 📸 @oneill_dm @friendsofcaic Two CAIC field staff examine a snowpit on a snowy mountainside. One points to a layer in the snow while the other records observations on a phone, with snow-covered peaks in the background. by @coavalancheinfo
2
a month ago
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