EXPEDITIONS
GROUP PROGRAMS
WAYS TO GIVE
OUR DIFFERENCE
ABOUT US
← Back to Expedition Finder ← Back
Photograph (above) taken by Chris Griffin

Program Overview

Location
F Colorado Rockies
Seasons
Winter
Start Location
Denver, CO
End Location
Denver, CO
Certifications
Avalanche Level 1
Program
High School
Length
5 Days
Price
$1,855
Expeditions
Leadership Intensive
Skiing & Snowshoeing
Activities
Backcountry Snowshoeing, Ski Touring, Base Camp

Skills

Technical
  • Campcraft
  • Food Preparation and Cooking
  • Map and Compass
  • Navigation
  • Safety and Risk Management
  • Self Care
  • Snow Travel
  • Wilderness Medicine
Interpersonal
  • Character
  • Empathy
  • Independence
  • Leadership
  • Positive Risk Taking
  • Problem Solving
  • Responsibility
  • Self Confidence
  • Service

Let’s Connect!

Call Now

+1 866.467.7651

Chat Now

With an Advisor

Schedule a Call

With an Advisor

Subscribe

Colorado Rockies Leadership & Level 1 Avalanche Training

Add to Favorites

Learn to responsibly navigate snowy terrain while enjoying some of the greatest winter views in the Rocky Mountains.

This winter expedition in the Colorado Rockies will teach you the fundamentals of traveling responsibly in snowy terrain. Through hands-on learning in the field, learn to assess avalanche conditions, observe winter weather patterns, and perform companion rescues. By the end of course, you and your crew will put your new skills to the test on a backcountry touring expedition: practicing risk assessment, traveling on variable terrain, and route finding. Enjoy spring snow conditions among pine trees and high peaks. Spend your nights warming up by the fire with your crewmates at our basecamp. Return home with the fundamental skills needed to assess and manage risk during winter in the mountains.

Request a call from a course specialist

Program Overview

Location
F Colorado Rockies
Seasons
Winter
Start Location
Denver, CO
End Location
Denver, CO
Certifications
Avalanche Level 1
Program
High School
Length
5 Days
Price
$1,855
See More Details
Expeditions
Leadership Intensive
Skiing & Snowshoeing
Activities
Backcountry Snowshoeing, Ski Touring, Base Camp

Skills

Technical
  • Campcraft
  • Food Preparation and Cooking
  • Map and Compass
  • Navigation
  • Safety and Risk Management
  • Self Care
  • Snow Travel
  • Wilderness Medicine
Interpersonal
  • Character
  • Empathy
  • Independence
  • Leadership
  • Positive Risk Taking
  • Problem Solving
  • Responsibility
  • Self Confidence
  • Service
array(1) { [0]=> object(CourseInstance)#55 (60) { ["id"]=> string(4) "6923" ["active"]=> string(1) "1" ["error_msg"]=> NULL ["ignore_on_save":protected]=> array(0) { } ["encrypt_on_save"]=> array(0) { } ["list_for_admin"]=> array(0) { } ["db_table"]=> string(15) "course_instance" ["publish"]=> string(1) "1" ["parent_publish"]=> string(1) "1" ["parent_id"]=> string(3) "865" ["name"]=> string(56) "Colorado Rockies Leadership & Level 1 Avalanche Training" ["course_number_prefix"]=> string(0) "" ["course_number"]=> string(9) "CCTL-2412" ["start_date"]=> string(10) "2024-12-27" ["end_date"]=> string(10) "2024-12-31" ["days"]=> string(1) "5" ["featured"]=> string(1) "0" ["featured_2"]=> string(1) "0" ["minimum_age"]=> string(2) "16" ["maximum_age"]=> string(2) "18" ["family"]=> string(1) "0" ["grieving_teens"]=> string(1) "0" ["tuition"]=> string(4) "1555" ["sale_price"]=> string(1) "0" ["sale_price_start_date"]=> string(10) "0000-00-00" ["sale_price_end_date"]=> string(10) "0000-00-00" ["form_url"]=> string(0) "" ["open"]=> string(1) "0" ["force_status"]=> string(1) "0" ["force_avail"]=> string(1) "0" ["starting_soon"]=> string(1) "0" ["ob_region_id"]=> string(1) "0" ["location"]=> string(0) "" ["financial_aid"]=> string(0) "" ["transportation"]=> string(0) "" ["application"]=> string(4) "$150" ["start_location"]=> string(0) "" ["end_location"]=> string(0) "" ["prerequisites"]=> string(0) "" ["added"]=> string(19) "2023-07-27 11:20:38" ["updated"]=> string(19) "2024-12-21 08:15:04" ["beta"]=> string(1) "0" ["import_id"]=> string(3) "337" ["md"]=> string(5) "12-27" ["exp_on"]=> string(1) "0" ["temporary_price"]=> string(1) "0" ["n_tuition"]=> string(4) "1555" ["n_app_fee"]=> string(3) "150" ["n_transport_fee"]=> string(3) "150" ["n_deposit"]=> string(3) "500" ["n_discount"]=> string(1) "0" ["n_discount_start_date"]=> string(19) "2023-08-27 00:00:00" ["n_discount_end_date"]=> string(19) "2023-08-27 00:00:00" ["extended_discount_date"]=> string(10) "0000-00-00" ["n_total_pre_discount"]=> string(4) "1855" ["n_total_after_discount"]=> string(4) "1855" ["sf_status"]=> string(4) "full" ["sf_status_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["sync_at"]=> string(19) "2024-12-21 08:15:03" ["revertable"]=> string(1) "0" } }

UPCOMING COURSES

Course # CCTL-2412

Age 16 - 18

Days 5

Cost $1,855

Dates 12/27/2024 - 12/31/2024

string(0) "" COURSE IS FULL

COURSE IS FULL

When a course has reached maximum capacity, meaning all spots and the three waitlist spots are occupied, a course will read “Course Is Full.” This means applications are no longer being accepted.

?

Thank you for your interest in Outward Bound! 

This course starts within the next week. Please call us at 866-467-7651 to assess the possibility of applying for this course!

APPLY NOW
This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.

APPLY NOW – Almost Full
This means there are three or fewer currently available spots left on a course. To secure your spot click Apply Now to begin an application!

JOIN WAITLIST
Once a course has reached capacity, three waitlist positions become available. To join a course’s waitlist, click “Join Waitlist” to begin the application process. A $500 deposit is required. This $500 deposit includes a $150 non-refundable application fee and a $350 tuition payment. The $350 tuition payment is refundable only if you cancel your waitlist application or if an open position does not become available. If a position does become available, the applicant will be applied to the open position and the Application and Cancellation Policies of the Regional Outward Bound School will be followed, including forfeiture of the $500 deposit if you cancel 90 days or less prior to the course start date. 

Waitlist applicants are encouraged to complete all required admissions documents while awaiting an open position. Positions may become available up to two weeks prior to the course start date. Applicants may only apply to one course. We recommend applying to a course with open positions instead of a course that is accepting waitlist applications. If you have questions, please call 866-467-7651 to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors.

CALL TO APPLY
This means a course is very close to its start date. Although it is unlikely to secure a spot this late, you can call the National Admissions office at 866-467-7651 to discuss your options.

COURSE IS FULL
When a course has reached maximum capacity, meaning all spots and the three waitlist spots are occupied, a course will read “Course Is Full.” This means applications are no longer being accepted.

CLOSED
As a course nears its start date, the availability status may read “Closed.” In this event, a course roster has been finalized and applications are no longer being accepted or processed.

Sample Itinerary
DAY1
Course Start: introduction to living and recreating in snow.
DAY2-3
Avalanche 1 Training: build snow pits and learn to make observations about snow, terrain, and weather. Practice companion rescues and both uphill and downhill snow travel.
DAY4
Leadership in the Backcountry: utilize new skills and knowledge to lead a day of touring through the snow.
DAY5
Course End: course end ceremonies and transportation home.
Classic Courses

Make new friends, sleep under the stars, and learn skills for outdoor adventure. Outward Bound’s Classic expeditions are designed to empower middle and high school students with the tools and confidence they need to navigate life’s ever-changing tides. By taking on challenges outdoors, students discover their strengths, make meaningful connections and return home with the skills needed to embark on bold futures. 

  • Develop Connections. Bond with your crew by having fun and engaging in meaningful conversations.  
  • Learn Outdoor Skills. Cook delicious meals outside, navigate with a map, and build a backcountry campsite.  
  • Practice Leadership and Teamwork. Learn to be both a leader and team player.  
  • Build Confidence that Lasts a Lifetime. Discover your unique strengths. 
Avalanche 1 Training
A group of people wearing winter gear watch an instructor practice avalanche training in snow.
Photo courtesy of Chris Griffin
During avalanche training, an instructor appears to be standing in a shallow hole while students look on.

The Colorado Outward Bound School is an American Avalanche Association Recreational Avalanche curriculum provider. Over several days of instruction in the field and at our Leadville basecamp, students will learn the Rec Level 1 curriculum. Crews will begin by learning to observe snow conditions, terrain, and winter weather patterns. Students will then learn to identify avalanche hazards and perform companion rescues. By the end of course, students will be empowered to lead a tour through the snow, assessing risks along the way. This training is an essential introductory course for anyone who wants to responsibly recreate in snowy, mountainous terrain. 

Alpine Touring
Two people wearing winter gear smile for a photo in front of a mountainous snowy landscape.
A group of people wearing winter gear hike in a line in a mountainous snowy landscape.
Photo courtesy of Chris Griffin
A group of people wearing winter gear stand in a circle in a snowy landscape.
Photo courtesy of Chris Griffin
A person wearing winter gear and a backpack smiles. They are in front of other students, walking behind.
Photo courtesy of Chris Griffin
A person wearing winter gear makes a snow angel.
Photo courtesy of Chris Griffin
A group of people wearing winter gear hike in a line in a mountainous snowy landscape.
Photo courtesy of Chris Griffin
A person wearing winter gear stands on skis in a snowy landscape.
Photo courtesy of Chris Griffin

Starting from our basecamp, students will explore snowy backcountry terrain. The crew will travel both uphill and downhill, touring on snowshoes, skis, or splitboards through dense pine forests and across vast fields of snow and mixed terrain. The method of travel will be determined by prior experience and proficiency – all levels of experience are welcome and if necessary, we will break into groups to accommodate different needs. Regardless of how you travel, sunny days offer clear views of the mountains and frequent snowstorms at night often provide crews with fresh powder in the morning.

Service

Service to community and the environment is a pillar of the Colorado Outward Bound School experience. On each course, Students learn Leave No Trace ethics, and to recreate responsibly by preserving and respecting the fragile ecosystems they encounter. Students experience firsthand the social and emotional benefits of service, and they are encouraged to bring this ethic of care to their life back home.

Outcomes

Our expeditions help students grow into the best version of themselves.

We use challenge in the outdoors to empower students to discover their strengths and build authentic connections with their peers. Compassion for oneself and others is foundational to our educational approach. As students realize that they are stronger than they know, they develop confidence and resilience that will last a lifetime. Social and emotional learning outcomes include:

Belonging – students form deep connections founded upon respect, inclusion, and compassion

Reflection – students learn self-awareness and practice empathy towards others

Physical Engagement – students develop awareness and confidence in their bodies

Courage – students develop the confidence to speak up for themselves and persevere through challenges

Course Area

Leadville Mountain Center, Colorado  

Colorado Outward Bound School’s 600-acre property is located in Leadville, Colorado, one of the highest-elevation mountain towns in the country. We are located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, surrounded by numerous mountains standing over 13,000 and 14,000 feet tall. Our basecamp encompasses mountain streams, fields, and forests. The Colorado Trail and Mount Massive Wilderness borders the property to the west. During the winter, basecamp is a winter wonderland. For much of the winter, the trees and cabins are covered in a blanket of fluffy snow. Snowstorms are often followed by bluebird days and clear nights. Some of the country’s finest backcountry skiing and snowshoeing can be accessed right from our doorstep. This region is within the ancestral lands of the Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Sioux, Eastern Shoshone, Jicarilla Apache, and Pueblos Nations. 

OTHER COURSES YOU MAY LIKE

Boundary Waters Dog Sledding & Cross C...

Courses: 1 date available Ages: 16-18 Length: 8 Days Cost: $3,200 Details & Dates

Colorado Rockies Alpine Backpacking

Courses: 19 dates available Ages: 12-13 , 14-16 , 16-18 Length: 8 - 15 Days Cost: $3,375 - $5,745 Details & Dates

Water Gap Backpacking, Canoeing & Lead...

Courses: 3 dates available Ages: 12-14 , 14-16 Length: 12 - 14 Days Cost: $3,950 - $4,595 Details & Dates
View All Courses
decorative logo

Getting Started

If you are ready to enroll on a course click the enroll button next to the course you wish to select or you can enroll over the phone by speaking with one of our Admissions Advisors (toll-free) at 866-467-7651.

To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee. 

ENROLL TODAY
En Español
Contact
©ALL CONTENT 2024 OUTWARD BOUND
Created by Designsensory

NAVIGATION

SOCIAL