Colorado Avalanche Information Center - CAIC

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Colorado Avalanche Information Center - CAIC CAIC is a public safety organization that provides avalanche information and education.

🗻 Getting ready for winter ❄CAIC highway and backcountry teams gathered in Leadville this week for our annual fall train...
10/16/2026

🗻 Getting ready for winter ❄

CAIC highway and backcountry teams gathered in Leadville this week for our annual fall training. We covered everything from forecasting uncertainty and radio communications to media training and staff resiliency. We also had a chance to visit with Flight For Life Colorado for training.

Daily backcountry avalanche forecasts begin Nov. 1. We're looking forward to another season of working with our partners and providing avalanche safety information to people traveling and recreating in Colorado's mountains.

Thanks to everyone who helps make this work possible!

📸: Highway and backcountry teams gathering in Leadville for annual fall training, first flakes falling near Independence Pass, and wrapping up the week sharing research at the Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop in Breckenridge.

📣 The 25th annual Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop (CSAW) is coming up Friday, Oct. 16, in Breckenridge 📣Join avalan...
10/08/2026

📣 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 👉 avalanche.state.co.us/learn/csaw

📍 Breckenridge Riverwalk Center
📅 Friday, Oct. 16 | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Last month, we hosted Colorado Department of Natural Resources HR staff for a field tour to learn more about CAIC’s aval...
10/05/2026

Last month, we hosted Colorado 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.

Congratulations to CAIC’s Ron Simenhois, who received the American Avalanche Association’s Special Service Award this we...
10/01/2026

Congratulations to CAIC’s Ron Simenhois, who received the American Avalanche Association’s Special Service Award this week at ISSW 2026 - International Snow Science Workshop.

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.

This week, CAIC is joining avalanche professionals and researchers from around the world in Whistler, British Columbia, ...
09/28/2026

This week, CAIC is joining avalanche professionals and researchers from around the world in Whistler, British Columbia, for the ISSW 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 about CAIC’s work and presentations at issw2026.com/technical.

CAIC is pleased to announce Krista Beyer has been promoted to Senior Backcountry Avalanche Forecaster for the Southern M...
09/25/2026

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 🐐

CSAW brings together people from across the avalanche community to share research, experience and ideas. We’re excited t...
09/18/2026

CSAW brings together people from across the avalanche community to share research, experience and ideas. We’re excited to welcome Dr. Sara Boilen to Colorado this October to explore how stronger communication can help groups make better decisions in avalanche terrain. 👇

❄ We're hiring: Backcountry Avalanche Forecaster – Southern MountainsCAIC is currently hiring a backcountry avalanche fo...
09/14/2026

❄ 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 👉 tr.ee/c84Gd6

📸: Friends of CAIC / Donny O'Neill

Here's a preview of what's on tap at the 25th annual Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop (CSAW) this fall. We hope to s...
09/14/2026

Here's a preview of what's on tap at the 25th annual Colorado Snow and Avalanche Workshop (CSAW) this fall. We hope to see you in October 👇

CAIC is hiring a part-time Field Technician based in the Fraser Valley 🗻This seasonal position offers hands-on avalanche...
09/04/2026

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 👉 tr.ee/pQBfmK

📅 Apply by Sept. 19, 2026

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325 Broadway WS1
Boulder, CO
80305

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