There’s no feeling quite like that of Colorado’s winter backcountry. From the crisp air against your skin and the quiet solitude of the land to the endless opportunities sprawling before you on more than 8.3 million acres of pristine public terrain, becoming immersed in nature is an exciting adventure.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Colorado’s backcountry offers thrilling opportunities to take your skills to new heights and can be tremendously rewarding when you minimize risk by planning ahead. No matter your chosen activity — from hut trips and ski touring to snowmobiling, ice fishing and more — if you plan to head off the beaten path, make sure you do so responsibly and Do Colorado Right.
Follow these guidelines for safer recreation on our snowy, unmanaged terrain, and enjoy a winter outing that you’ll remember for all the right reasons. Your responsible preparation and behavior now will not only protect others — it just might save your life.
Pro tip: The Colorado Search & Rescue Association (CSAR) is available 24/7 for all who need them, and they can be activated through a 911 call or a satellite-messaging device. Their services are free of charge, so don’t delay calling if you are lost or injured.
Know Before You Go
Traveling in Colorado’s wintry landscape might be a bucket-list item for some, but it shouldn’t be done on a whim or without proper planning — like checking the avalanche forecast and making sure you have the right education and gear. It’s important to know the risks and how to safely avoid or navigate them.
First, understand the risks
It doesn’t matter what your mode of transportation is — snowmobile, snowcat, snowshoes, cross-country skis, touring skis, splitboard or simply by foot — traveling through Colorado’s wide-open snowscape can be inherently hazardous.
Possible risks include, but aren’t limited to, injury, getting lost, being caught in a storm and hypothermia. However, avalanches are the biggest threat to those in the Colorado backcountry, and these conditions can exist year-round if you’re exploring snowy terrain.
Check the avalanche forecast & choose your destination with care
Just because a favorite backcountry trail is an easy summer hike or you’ve successfully completed it during a past winter, doesn't mean it’s always going to be safe on any given day. Colorado’s weather will keep you on your toes, as it can be unpredictable and change rapidly. Avalanches can strike even the most prepared adventurer, so if you're planning to travel in the backcountry, getting the forecast — and understanding it — is paramount.
Research the area you plan to visit before heading out and learn more about avalanche awareness, as well as observations, field reports and forecasts with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC). Pair this resource with the free Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) app, which offers easy offline access to trail and avalanche information in partnership with CAIC. The more prepared you are, the more relaxed your trip will be, especially when things start to change. Planning ahead and keeping an eye on developing conditions will allow you to make informed decisions to help ensure the safest and most enjoyable time possible.
Always have an alternative destination in mind in case you encounter dangerous conditions or a trailhead is closed or overcrowded, so your adventure can continue without a hitch. And remember: respecting trail closures is a must — they’re closed for a reason. Discover local, state and federal trails and track closures on the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) app.
Seek backcountry education & training
There are many types of education opportunities available to winter outdoor enthusiasts — from basic avalanche-awareness training to professional-level certifications. No matter your interests (snowshoes, skis, snowmobiles, etc.), you should select a class based on your activity and skill level.
Because avalanches can happen in any season, it’s a good idea to brush up on your education, especially if you’re new to the backcountry. If you plan to recreate where there’s a possibility of an avalanche, look for a provider that will teach you how to manage the risks. This includes being able to identify avalanche-prone terrain and choosing a route that’s suitable for the day’s hazards.
“You should look for a provider that wants to engage you in an educational process,” American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education’s Executive Director Vickie Hormuth said. “Be wary of any that promise to enable you to tackle big lines or bigger terrain after a single three-day experience.”
Want to learn more? Check out CAIC’s Education Webpage or Find a Course Webpage that lists classes that both meet the American Avalanche Association’s Guidelines for Education and are provided by a Friends of the CAIC’s Education Partner.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) Resources Page is a great place to start for a basic foundation of avalanche awareness that even casual hikers and snowshoers should have. An intro class like AIARE Avalanche Rescue is also a must. Another helpful online resource for newbies is Avalanche Aware, a program designed for recreationists of all ages, skill levels and goals, whether they’re seeking to avoid avalanche terrain, or learning how to safely engage in it.
Remember: Don’t venture into the backcountry unless you know what you’re doing or are with a professional guide — that includes wandering through an access point at your favorite ski resort. Find your confidence in exploring the Colorado backcountry with a local coach that can help you hone your skills over time, or hire an American Mountain Guides Association-certified guide who is responsible for keeping you safe. Explore the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office’s Winter Outdoor Recreation Directory for a listing of education, outfitter and guide resources.
Invest in or rent proper equipment
If you are heading into the backcountry, carry a backpack with dedicated rescue-gear storage, navigational tools, a communication device, first-aid equipment, a headlamp, extra food and water, additional layers, a fire-starting tool and an emergency shelter. For avalanche terrain, add an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe, and be well-practiced in using them. If you’re skiing, boarding or snowmobiling, remember your helmet and a satellite-communications device because cell phone service isn’t reliable in the backcountry. As you pack, ask yourself if you would be able to survive overnight in case of an accident.
Remember: It’s not good enough to just have avalanche equipment with you if you don’t know how to use it. Practice using your gear regularly, preferably with your travel companion(s), and understand its many functions. Participate in trailhead-group checks to ensure the transceiver is sending a signal before you go. Some trailheads in Colorado have signage that will check your transceiver for you.
Be prepared for winter travel conditions
Scan COTrip.org for travel warnings and pass-closure alerts before hitting the road. Be sure your car has winter-appropriate tires or compliant traction equipment. And if you’re renting a vehicle, it’s best to reserve one with AWD or 4WD before heading up into the mountains.
Stock your vehicle with winter emergency gear, like a flashlight, extra-warm clothing, food, water and a sleeping bag. If you find yourself in hazardous driving conditions, often the best course of action is to pull off the highway into the nearest town to wait it out. Follow suggested safe-driving guidelines like maintaining slower speeds, accelerating at a slower rate, not using cruise control in snowy conditions and keeping your gas tank more than half full.
Recreate Responsibly
Ready to go? Here are a couple of ways you can take care — of yourself and others — while roaming Colorado’s powdery open country.
Be communicative
Be sure to tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll call to report that you're home safe, in case something goes wrong. That way, if you're overdue, your trusted friend or family member can contact the sheriff’s office that covers the county you are in and activate the area’s backcountry search and rescue team if needed.
Be aware
It’s easy to lose yourself in the moment while recreating in snowy landscapes, but keep in mind that your activities could be putting other people, roads, homes and infrastructure at risk. Know your surroundings and what’s going on around and below you. You could trigger an avalanche by any means of travel, including hiking, skiing, splitboarding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Understand that backcountry users may be above or below you on mountainous terrain, and human-triggered avalanches can impact everyone in the area, not just those who are directly involved.
This story was developed in partnership with the Colorado Search and Rescue Association and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.