BERTHOUD PASS, Colo. – Berthoud Pass ski area’s Powder Guides have partnered with REI retail stores to introduce a new avalanche awareness program. The program is part of the REI Outdoor School and the new Denver flagship store. Introductory avalanche awareness classes and Level I and II on-mountain courses will be offered. The curriculum is based on the Powder Guides’ 25-plus years of backcountry-ski guiding and avalanche experience. The Powder Guides are members of Berthoud Pass’ ski patrol.

Jamie Wolter, Mountain Operations Manager, said they created the Berthoud Powder Guides/REI Avalanche Programs to address a growing interest in backcountry sports. "We generated so much interest with our programs last year that we decided to create a new class that would bring avalanche education to anyone who works or plays in the backcountry."

New for 2000-2001, Powder Guides will teach free avalanche awareness classes at REI stores in Denver, Englewood, Lakewood, Black Dog Mountaineering in Winter Park, and Alpenglow Mountain Sport in Golden. The hour-and-a-half evening class begins at 7 p.m. and is for skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, snowshoers, cross-country skiers and winter climbers – anyone who spends time in the backcountry. Participants will learn the basics of slope and snow conditions, avalanche danger indicators, survival tactics and equipment.

For further avalanche education, the Powder Guides offer on-mountain Level I (3-day) and Level II (4-day) avalanche courses for $165 and $295 respectively. Level I teaches weather, snow pack, avalanche phenomena, terrain analysis, stability evaluation, human and risk factors, rescue techniques and beacons. Level II builds on the previous Level I training and adds route selection, advanced stability evaluations, snow metamorphism, multiple victim rescue and critical incident decision-making. Both courses have a mandatory introductory class at an REI store with the next two or three consecutive days of on-mountain training at Berthoud Pass. The minimum class size is two people.

Skiers and boarders who want on-mountain training in a compact, six-hour class, can take Introduction to Avalanche Safety for $100. The class taught at Berthoud Pass prepares backcountry skiers and boarders with basic hazard recognition, beacon use and ele

mentary survival and rescue techniques. The minimum class size is two people.

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The Powder Guides’ hike-to-ski powder program debuted at Berthoud Pass last winter.

The program was created to give skiers and boarders a tour with insiders’ tips on Berthoud’s terrain. According to Wolter, participants hike with a guide to reach terrain only seen in ski movies. "It’s the terrain with no tracks that you look at and drool." The tours are $60 for four hours and $100 for six hours. Both prices include lift tickets and a beacon class.

Reservations are required 48-hours in advance for the Avalanche Level I and II courses and 24-hours in advance for the full-day tours and Introduction to Avalanche Safety class. Reservations may be made by calling 800-SKI-BERT ext. 24.

The free avalanche classes at REI and other stores are on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you have questions, please call 800-SKI-BERT ext. 24.

Berthoud Pass is Colorado’s oldest winter recreation area. Located on the Continental Divide on U.S. Highway 40, the ski area receives 500 inches of snowfall annually and has some of the most pristine backcountry terrain in the state.

Nov 2 Black Dog Mountaineering, Winter Park

Nov 16 REI, Lakewood

Nov 30 Black Dog Mountaineering, Winter Park

Dec 6 REI, Flagship

Dec 14 Alpenglow Mountain Sport, Golden

Jan 4 REI, Englewood

Jan 31 REI, Flagship

Feb 15 Black Dog Mountaineering, Winter Park

March 15 Black Dog Mountaineering, Winter Park

Dec 15-17 REI, Flagship with 16, 17 at Bethoud Pass

Jan. 12-14 REI, Flagship with 13, 14 at Bethoud Pass

Feb 8-11 REI, Flagship with 9, 10, 11 at Bethoud Pass

Prerequisite: Avalanche Level I

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