About this Event
On-Snow Avalanche Awareness Clinic
Friends of the San Juans (FOSJ) and the Telluride Mountain Club (TMtC) are teaming up to offer a free, on-snow avalanche awareness and safety clinic Saturday, February 14, 2026 in Telluride Town Park.
IN THE CASE OF A FULL COURSE, YOU CAN STILL REGISTER TO BE PUT ON THE WAITLIST AND IF A SPOT OPENS UP YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED.
Course Details: Saturday, February 14, 2026 10:00am-1:00pm, Telluride Town Park.
Course Description: In a 3 hour field session, participants will learn the basics of backcountry preparation & communication, terrain recognition & avoidance, smart travel protocol, basic snowpack understanding, and safety gear use.
This course is intended as a precursor to a Rec Level 1. Please only participate if you plan to take your Rec Level 1 this winter or next. This clinic is not designed to stand alone.
Course Outcomes:
- Understand the importance of group dynamics, communication, and decision making
- Identify avalanche terrain based on slope angle, including terrain traps and gullies
- Understand the complexity of snowpack and layering
- Learn basic smart travel protocol
- Beacon, probe and shovel basics with practice
- Understand what we don’t know
Participants in FOSJ’s On-Snow Session must meet all of the following requirements:
- Have the minimum required safety equipment—beacon, probe, shovel, pack. If you do not have the required safety equipment, there is limited loaner gear available. Please email [email protected].
- Have sufficient uphill winter travel gear by one of the following methods: AT/Tele setup with climbing skins; split board setup with climbing skins; backcountry nordic/hybrid skis with metal edges and fish scales; snowshoes. We are UNABLE to accommodate for boot packing, conventional Nordic/skate skis, toboggans, saucers, sleds, or snow-blades.
- Be in moderate physical shape—although we will not be going on any extended tour or even that far from the parking area, throughout the day you will be exerting energy while traveling through variable terrain and snow conditions as well as practicing with rescue gear and digging.
- We highly recommend watching the CAIC 'Know Before You Go' video and review the CAIC daily snowpack and avalanche forecast before the event. Links will be sent ahead of time.
- Participants must register in advance online via this Eventbrite site. There are a limited number of spots available, and it is on a first come first served basis. Please register only if you are 100% committed. If you must cancel, please email [email protected].
Day-of details:
Friends of the San Juans instructors have been trained on all course topics and meet strict experience and teaching standards set by both FOSJ and the American Avalanche Association (AAA). For your safety, all Lead Instructors also hold Wilderness First Aid certification or higher. Their goal is to ensure everyone feels comfortable, engaged, and able to participate. Your questions and active involvement are encouraged!
Please be fully geared up and ready to go by 10:00am at the Telluride Town Park warming hut. Come prepared to be outside for the entire course and bring your own water, food, clothing layers, sunscreen, and any personal gear. If you have a first aid kit, inclinometer, or other avalanche gadgets, feel free to bring them. We’ll debrief and wrap up by 1:00pm.
Registered students will receive a follow-up email confirming their registration with additional details. We look forward to spending the day with you!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Town Park, 500 East Colorado Avenue, Telluride, United States
USD 0.00
