Avalanche Refresher Course
SHARPENING YOUR SKILLS & DECISION-MAKING
This course is designed for backcountry travelers with prior avalanche education who want to refresh and strengthen their skills before the winter season. We’ll revisit the core concepts of avalanche hazard management and decision-making, with an emphasis on applying what you already know in real-world terrain.
You’ll review current approaches to assessing avalanche hazard, interpreting avalanche forecasts, evaluating snowpack and terrain, and making decisions with your touring partners. The course also provides an opportunity to practice and refine companion rescue skills and revisit the tools and techniques you rely on when traveling in avalanche terrain.
The goal is to head into the season with your skills sharp, your systems dialed, and your touring partners on the same page.
This is a women-specific education course. We welcome women-identifying, femme, transgender, and gender non-conforming participants who are comfortable learning in a femme-centered space.
This course is designed for backcountry travelers with prior avalanche education who want to refresh and strengthen their skills before the winter season. We’ll revisit the core concepts of avalanche hazard management and decision-making, with an emphasis on applying what you already know in real-world terrain.
You’ll review current approaches to assessing avalanche hazard, interpreting avalanche forecasts, evaluating snowpack and terrain, and making decisions with your touring partners. The course also provides an opportunity to practice and refine companion rescue skills and revisit the tools and techniques you rely on when traveling in avalanche terrain.
The goal is to head into the season with your skills sharp, your systems dialed, and your touring partners on the same page.
This is a women-specific education course. We welcome women-identifying, femme, transgender, and gender non-conforming participants who are comfortable learning in a femme-centered space.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
By the end of the Avalanche Refresher, you'll have a stronger foundation in:
· Reviewing avalanche forecasts and current conditions
· Evaluating snowpack and avalanche hazard
· Identifying and assessing avalanche terrain
· Making thoughtful terrain and route choices
· Communicating and making decisions with your touring partners
· Managing groups in the backcountry
· Practicing and refining companion rescue skills
· Using your avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe with confidence
· Applying your existing avalanche knowledge to real-world scenarios
The goal isn't to relearn everything from your Level 1 or 2 in 1 day. It's to refresh the skills you already have, practice applying them in the field, and head into the season feeling prepared and confident.
· Reviewing avalanche forecasts and current conditions
· Evaluating snowpack and avalanche hazard
· Identifying and assessing avalanche terrain
· Making thoughtful terrain and route choices
· Communicating and making decisions with your touring partners
· Managing groups in the backcountry
· Practicing and refining companion rescue skills
· Using your avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe with confidence
· Applying your existing avalanche knowledge to real-world scenarios
The goal isn't to relearn everything from your Level 1 or 2 in 1 day. It's to refresh the skills you already have, practice applying them in the field, and head into the season feeling prepared and confident.
COURSE FORMAT
1 FULL DAY - Hands-on field learning
Total course commitment: approximately 8 hours
Need avalanche rescue gear?
We offer a limited number of backcountry packs, avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes for rent during registration.
Total course commitment: approximately 8 hours
Need avalanche rescue gear?
We offer a limited number of backcountry packs, avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes for rent during registration.
Course Schedule
- 1 full day in the field - We’ll spend the day at a location in Summit County, putting your avalanche knowledge and skills into practice. Plan to arrive in the morning for a group discussion on weather, avalanche conditions, and terrain before heading out for the day. Expect to spend the full day outside reviewing skills, practicing decision-making, and working through real-world scenarios with your group.
Looking for a place to stay?
We recommend staying in Silverthorne, Frisco, or Breckenridge to make getting to our field locations easier. Specific meeting and trailhead locations will be shared with participants before the course.
Meet your instructors!
Your course will be led by experienced, professionally certified avalanche educators who bring both technical expertise and a passion for making backcountry education approachable and inclusive.
Janine Prout
AIARE COURSE LEAD · AIARE PRO LEVEL 2 · EMT · WFR
Janine Prout is a champion for women in the outdoor industry with a rich background in winter backcountry travel, including ski patrolling, snow cat guiding, snowmobile guiding, and non-mechanized adventures across the Western U.S. and Canada, especially in Central Colorado. She’s a fan of powder, recycled powder, and corn conditions, and she also loves mountain biking, bikepacking, and watersports.
Emma Wood
AIARE PRO LEVEL 1 · AIARE AVALANCHE EDUCATOR · WFR
Emma, who grew up on the coast of Maine, has spent the last eight years guiding and teaching outdoor education across Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho. A certified AIARE Instructor with a WFR, she leads rock climbing and backcountry skiing courses for NOLS and the High Mountain Institute. Passionate about inclusivity in the backcountry, Emma also enjoys sewing outdoor gear and cooking for friends when she's not exploring the mountains.
Brittany Konsella
AIARE PRO LEVEL 2 · AIARE AVALANCHE EDUCATOR · WFR · AMGA SGC ·AMGA ASC
From her start on the small slopes of Ohio, Brittany developed a profound passion for skiing, competing in Freestyle at CU Boulder and later coaching for five years at Winter Park. Her dedication culminated in the monumental goal of skiing all of Colorado’s 14,000-ft peaks, an achievement she completed in 2011 as only the second woman to do so. A lifelong educator and former secondary teacher, Brittany now combines her skills and passion by teaching recreation-level avalanche courses and inspiring others in the backcountry.
Why take a course with us?
Learn avalanche education in a space built for women and femme-identifying adventurers.
VNTRbirds courses combine professional avalanche education with the community, mentorship, and support we've built over years of getting women into the backcountry.
You'll learn from experienced, certified educators in a supportive environment where questions are encouraged, skills are practiced, and there's no expectation that you already know everything.
VNTRbirds courses combine professional avalanche education with the community, mentorship, and support we've built over years of getting women into the backcountry.
You'll learn from experienced, certified educators in a supportive environment where questions are encouraged, skills are practiced, and there's no expectation that you already know everything.
FEMME-CENTERED
Learn alongside women and femme-identifying adventurers.
Learn alongside women and femme-identifying adventurers.
EXPERIENCED EDUCATORS
Professional, certified avalanche instructors.
Professional, certified avalanche instructors.
COMMUNITY
Leave with more than a certificate, you'll have people to keep learning with.
Leave with more than a certificate, you'll have people to keep learning with.
We respectfully acknowledge that this event is located on the traditional lands of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) people. We honor their enduring connection to this land, their history, and their culture. As we enjoy the beauty and resources of this region, we recognize the past and present contributions of the Ute people, and we commit to fostering respect and understanding for Indigenous communities.
Need help paying for an Avy Refresher?
We believe avalanche education should be accessible. Financial assistance is available through our VNTRbirds Scholarship Program.
[ APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP → ]
IMPORTANT INFO
Age: All are welcome. Participants must be 18+ or accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Helmet: Helmets are required for all field days.
Inclusive space: LGBTQ+ welcome • BIPOC welcome • Femme-centered
Course commitment: Participants must complete the required self-paced online learning, live online session, and both field days.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Participants are responsible for having the required backcountry equipment for the course, including:
AT skis or splitboard
Avalanche transceiver
Shovel
Probe
Backcountry-specific backpack
Helmet
Appropriate winter clothing and gear
Need avalanche safety gear? A limited number of avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes are available to rent from VNTRbirds and can be added during registration.
All personal equipment must be in good working order.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations made more than 14 days before the course start date are eligible for a full refund, minus a 10% administrative fee.
Cancellations made within 14 days of the course are non-refundable. If space is available, participants may request a one-time transfer to another VNTRbirds course or clinic for a $50 transfer fee.
Cancellations made within 48 hours of the course start time are not eligible for a refund or transfer.
BEFORE YOU JOIN US
All participants must complete the required waiver and medical history form before the course.
We believe avalanche education should be accessible. Financial assistance is available through our VNTRbirds Scholarship Program.
[ APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP → ]
IMPORTANT INFO
Age: All are welcome. Participants must be 18+ or accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Helmet: Helmets are required for all field days.
Inclusive space: LGBTQ+ welcome • BIPOC welcome • Femme-centered
Course commitment: Participants must complete the required self-paced online learning, live online session, and both field days.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Participants are responsible for having the required backcountry equipment for the course, including:
AT skis or splitboard
Avalanche transceiver
Shovel
Probe
Backcountry-specific backpack
Helmet
Appropriate winter clothing and gear
Need avalanche safety gear? A limited number of avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes are available to rent from VNTRbirds and can be added during registration.
All personal equipment must be in good working order.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations made more than 14 days before the course start date are eligible for a full refund, minus a 10% administrative fee.
Cancellations made within 14 days of the course are non-refundable. If space is available, participants may request a one-time transfer to another VNTRbirds course or clinic for a $50 transfer fee.
Cancellations made within 48 hours of the course start time are not eligible for a refund or transfer.
BEFORE YOU JOIN US
All participants must complete the required waiver and medical history form before the course.
Questions before you register?
Not sure if an Avalanche Refresher is the right fit, wondering about gear, or just want to talk it through? Reach out! We're happy to help.
[email protected]
Not sure if an Avalanche Refresher is the right fit, wondering about gear, or just want to talk it through? Reach out! We're happy to help.
[email protected]
VNTRbirds LLC is an equal opportunity service provider and employer.
VNTRbirds LLC operates under special use permit from the USDA Forest Service, White River National Forest.
VNTRbirds LLC operates under special use permit from the USDA Forest Service, White River National Forest.