New Avalanche Aware Online Program to Make Avalanche Safety Education Accessible to All

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), in collaboration with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), today announced the launch of Avalanche Aware, a free online program designed to introduce essential avalanche safety concepts to winter backcountry travelers. Avalanche Aware first launched in 2023 with in-person trainings at schools, community events, and gear shops; the latest addition is a free online program people can take anytime, anywhere.

Avalanche Aware is a self-paced online course developed by AIARE in collaboration with CAIC and NWAC as part of a shared commitment to improving public safety in avalanche terrain. The one-hour course uses video, expert insights, and real-world examples to help participants build a solid foundation before heading into the mountains. Avalanche Aware features five modules covering core topics. Participants learn how to find and interpret the local avalanche forecast, recognize warning signs of hazardous snow, and identify areas where avalanches are most likely to occur. Upon completion, users are directed to local events, entry-level field courses, and additional training opportunities to continue their avalanche education.

“We’re excited to launch Avalanche Aware in partnership with AIARE and NWAC, allowing us to bring avalanche safety basics to more people,” said Ethan Greene, CAIC Director. “Avalanche Aware is a straightforward first step for anyone heading into the backcountry. By taking the curriculum launched in 2023 and putting it online this season, we’re extending a program that reached Coloradans at more than 100 events last year and making it easier to start learning at home and then build skills in the field.”

The course is free and available now at avalancheaware.com (opens in a new tab). CAIC encourages all winter recreationists, regardless of their experience level, to take advantage of this resource in preparation for the upcoming season.

About CAIC
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is a state agency within the Department of Natural Resources that is dedicated to public avalanche safety across Colorado. Since 1950, avalanches have killed more people in Colorado than any other natural hazard. Our mission is to provide avalanche information, education and promote research for the protection of life, property and the enhancement of the state’s economy. CAIC supports this mission by providing avalanche safety resources statewide, issuing daily avalanche forecasts during the season for around 28,000 square miles of Colorado’s backcountry terrain, and participating in avalanche research projects to advance snow science. Learn more at Colorado.gov/avalanche (opens in a new tab).

About AIARE
The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) has offered high-quality avalanche education curriculum since 1998, based on best practices in both snow science and education. With more than 115 providers of AIARE avalanche education across the country, more students use the AIARE recreational curriculum than any other avalanche education program in the U.S.—AIARE has served over 130,000 backcountry users since its inception. Over 1,500 AIARE courses are offered across the U.S. annually. To learn more and to sign up for a course, visit avtraining.org (opens in a new tab).

About NWAC
The Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) exists to increase avalanche awareness, reduce avalanche-related impacts, and equip the public with mountain weather and avalanche forecasts, education, and data. NWAC has served the Pacific Northwest since 1975, growing into a vital resource for more than 700,000 backcountry users across Washington and Oregon. NWAC is a private-public partnership. The NWAC Forecasting Program is administered by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the NWAC nonprofit provides fundraising, education, and advocacy support. Through expert forecasting, trusted education, and innovative tools, NWAC supports a growing community of winter backcountry users—from skiers and snowboarders to snowmobilers, snowshoers, and climbers—by helping them make every trip a round trip. Learn more at nwac.us (opens in a new tab).