Colorado Mountain School — Hotel in Estes Park

Although the AIARE Level 1 avalanche course is advertised as accepting SNOWSHOERS, you will not get the same instructional level as that of a backcountry skier. My March 2019 CMS AIARE Level 1 class catered to the backcountry skier. The focus was on making decisions for a safe backcountry ski route. If you are a snowshoer, as I am, you will find that the focus is not on making the same safe decisions for a safe choice of route for snowshoers. At the conclusion of this class, many of the backcountry skiers are able to select a safe route of ski travel, and almost none (if not all) of the snowshoers are able to do that. The classroom instruction is excellent, and you will absolutely gain classroom knowledge. It is a good Level 1 instruction for gaining knowledge about snowpack, terrain, and avalanches. The field instruction is what is lacking. My field instructor actually said to me, “Snowshoes, get out of the way.” A few other degrading comments are what make me write this review. I am a middle-aged woman, very experienced with winter skills, have taken 2 glacier courses, am an instructor/leader for the AMC, formerly certified as a Wilderness First Responder, and have taught navigation courses. I signed up for this course because I need to learn about CO mountains and weather. Yet, I was not treated as a valued group member. Skiers, boarders, and split boarders are told exactly what kind of equipment to bring. There is no requirement for snowshoes. Someone in my group showed up with snowshoes that were 20 years old with two tiny flat front teeth. Sorry, but you need front, back, and side canines and incisors (otherwise known as crampons) on your snowshoes in mountains, but CMS does not make this a requirement. This impacts the group, and I wonder how much this contributes to the “Snowshoes, get out of the way” attitude. So, if you are primarily interested in classroom instruction, spend the money and go for it. It is very valuable, and I came away with a few more good resources. But if you are looking for a more specific field experience (you will be grouped with backcountry skiers), then look around wisely for a program that will welcome you 100%. And don’t fall for the rhetoric. My personal recommendation is that an AIARE Level 1 course be offered to a group made up of just snowshoers. The route and terrain decisions we make will be different from those that a backcountry skier would make. And – we could come away with new friends and contacts to snowshoe with. The backcountry skiers can join a CMS FB page so they can find new friends and new ski terrain. ...

I recently participated in a rock climbing program for young adults living with Multiple Sclerosis. CMS were our guides, in partnership with First Descents. I NEVER thought I would be able to climb again, but I was wrong. Little Bit, Brownie, Spicy Pretzel, and Cruzer (we do nicknames in the program) were absolutely AMAZING in every way, from start to finish. Their patience and creativity made it possible for each of us to climb and find success on the rocks. We felt like we were in good hands at all times, and I for one greatly appreciated their years of experience and all-around positive attitudes throughout the week.

You won't be disappointed with this team of experienced climbers. They will explain and share however much knowledge you wish to receive. They will support you and provide opportunities to challenge yourself. Thank you, CMS team, for all of your hard work during our week-long program. I am forever grateful and empowered by our time together. Until next time. -Tess...

I would highly recommend Colorado Mountain School for any and all guided climbing trips in RMNP. For my Big City Mountaineers charity climb up Longs Peak last year, I stayed overnight at the CMS lodge, which was clean, well stocked with supplies, hot showers, and had access to a huge kitchen and reading room. The day before our scheduled climb, CMS owner Russel Hunter himself personally called everyone in our small group to discuss changes to our itinerary due to inclement weather.

On the big climb day, via the Cables route up Longs Peak, guides Brian Ciciora and Carsten Schnatwinkel saved my skin (and reputation) countless times during our trip. Brian assuaged my panic and anxiety through breathing exercises; Carsten basically hauled me up the North Face like a sack of potatoes. :) Colorado Mountain School is the top guiding service in the park and their guides deserve major recognition! Thanks...