By Shannon Lukens. Courtesy photos.
Avalanche and adult education courses are being added for adults in new programs offered by Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Courses include Avalanche Safety, an Adult Backcountry Touring Program and Alpine Masters Training. The first course is a free Avalanche Refresher Court from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, in Olympian Hall at Howelsen Hill. RSVP HERE
SSWSC — Community Avalanche Safety Courses and AIARE Certification
Press Release from Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Dec. 8, 2025.
Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Expands Adult Programs and Adds Avalanche Education for 2025–2026 Season
Free Avalanche Refresher Dec. 14 at Howelsen Hill
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO — Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC) is expanding opportunities for adults to participate in winter sports, with new avalanche education courses added for the 2025–2026 season. SSWSC offers adult programs designed for a range of experience levels, from first-timers to seasoned athletes. These programs focus on fitness, skills development, and community, and are structured to fit around busy schedules. The first avalanche program will take place this week, on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 1-5 p.m. The Avalanche Refresher is geared toward those who have previously taken avalanche safety courses and is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted for the Drew Hyde Memorial Fund and Best Day Ever Fund.
“Inspiring and developing lifelong athletes is core to our mission at SSWSC. Our adult programs have met a demand in the community for opportunities to learn and continue to enjoy these sports as adults,” said Athletic Director Dave Stewart. “In addition to the technique tips and great exercise provided by our alpine, cross country, and skinning programs, the new avalanche safety courses provide the knowledge to not only enjoy the backcountry, but to do so in a safe and responsible way.”
NEW – Avalanche Safety Courses
New this year, SSWSC is offering community avalanche safety courses for adults and anyone 15 years or older who want to develop their toolset and skills to participate in or manage backcountry groups. Courses are accredited through the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). LINK HERE FOR ALL AVALANCHE SAFTEY COURSES COURSES
Avalanche Refresher: Dec. 14, 1-5 p.m. The FREE refresher is a 4-hour clinic to work on rescue skills and catch up on the latest information pertaining to avalanche safety. It is geared towards those who have previously taken an avalanche safety course and want to “kick the rust off” early in the season. Donations will be accepted for the Drew Hyde Memorial Fund and the Best Day Ever Fund. The Drew Hyde Memorial Fund honors a community member who passed away in an avalanche in the Steamboat valley; the fund supports causes that Drew was passionate about, especially recreation and backcountry awareness, safety and training. The Best Day Ever Fund, in honor of longtime local Pete Van De Carr, is for youth in need of gear, tuition, supplies or other necessities that allow them to have their own “Best Day Ever”. Please RSVP for the event HERE.
AIARE 1: The AIARE 1 is a three-day, 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazard management. Students can expect to develop a sound grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision-making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig out a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).
AIARE 2: The AIARE 2 is a three-day/24-hour course that provides backcountry travelers an opportunity to advance their decision-making and observation skills. Opportunities on this course include being a leader within a small travel group, traveling in more complicated terrain, and/or developing a travel plan where resources are scarce. One session available in March, takes place in Columbine, Colorado.
Adult Backcountry Touring Program
Ideal for beginning to intermediate backcountry skiers and riders, the Adult Backcountry Touring program participants will gain experience in safe and efficient winter mountain travel. Sessions meet every other Tuesday afternoon and every other Wednesday, 11:15 a.m. -12:45 p.m. starting January 6 at Howelsen Hill, with field day options in February and March. The timing works in conjunction with the new AIARE courses. LINK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Alpine Masters Training
Alpine Masters Training is open to adults 21+ with advanced to expert alpine skiing ability. Training focuses on technical skill development and race preparation for the Carl’s Cup series. Sessions run from early December through early March, with training on Wednesday evenings and Friday afternoons. LINK HERE FOR ALPINE MASTERS PROGRAM
For more information visit SSWSC’s adult program page HERE.
PLEASE NOTE: The SSWSC Adult Cross Country Ski Group is currently full.
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ABOUT SSWSC
Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC) provides sports and youth development programming for over 1,200 athletes in Steamboat Springs. SSWSC believes in the fundamental value of sport for the individual. Our mission is to create champions on and off the mountain by developing life skills and personal growth through sports. Our vision is to be the nation’s model community youth sports organization, inspiring every individual to achieve their highest level of personal and athletic potential. SSWSC alumni have become Olympians, NCAA champions, collegiate scholars, CEOs, and leaders. Our programs include alpine, cross country, freestyle, freeskiing, Nordic combined, jumping, snowboarding, backcountry education, strength and conditioning, cycling, and skateboarding. Founded in 1914, SSWSC is one of North America’s oldest and most successful winter sports clubs, serving tens of thousands of athletes for over a century, including 100 Olympians with 19 Olympic medals. U.S. Ski & Snowboard named SSWSC Club of the Year five times, more than any other club in the country. For more information, visit www.sswsc.org.