Colorado Avalanche Information Center - CAIC

08/27/2026

The new Photo Annual is here! Each year, Friends of CAIC brings together photography, stories and reflections from Colorado’s backcountry community.

Thank you to Friends of CAIC for creating this publication and for their ongoing support of avalanche education and information in Colorado.

Interested in receiving the 2025/2026 edition? Friends of CAIC members who join now will receive a copy this summer. Learn more 👉 friendsofcaic.org.

08/24/2026

If you’ve driven a Colorado mountain pass in winter, you’ve benefited from the work of CAIC highway forecasters like Ryan Zarter.

As a Northern Mountains Highway Forecaster, Zarter works with CDOT to monitor avalanche conditions and support decisions about avalanche mitigation and road closures, helping protect highway crews and the traveling public.

He joined CAIC in 2017 after studying biology and spending years working in ski patrol and avalanche forecasting around the world, including in Chile and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Thanks to Ryan and all of CAIC’s highway forecasters for the work they do each winter 👏

📸: Zarter conducting summer fieldwork on the O'BellX system towers near Eisenhower Tunnel this summer and some winter shots

08/15/2026

If you love getting outside and want to help support Colorado’s backcountry community, this is a pretty great gig 👇

Friends of CAIC is looking for Trailhead Outreach Coordinators for the 2026-27 season. Check out the post below for all the details and please share with anyone who might be a good fit.

Join the Friends of CAIC team!

We’re hiring two Trailhead Outreach Coordinators to execute our Trailhead Outreach Program (TOP) at high-use winter recreation areas throughout Colorado.

Trailhead Outreach Coordinators spend the majority of their time in the field, engaging with backcountry skiers and snowboarders, snowshoers, snowmobilers, hikers, and other winter recreationists. Candidates should have a strong passion for avalanche safety, comfort engaging with a wide variety of people, and the ability to work independently in winter mountain environments.

These are full-time, seasonal positions from November 2, 2026 - April 30, 2027.

👉 Apply today: support.friendsofcaic.org/pages/work-with-us

08/13/2026

Congratulations to Leadville high school student Itai Sheleg, a recipient of the ISSW 2026 Young Snow Professional Award! 🏅

Itai will present his research, “Forecasting Avalanches in Data-Sparse Central Asia using Snowpack and Weather Modeling with Avalanche Observations” and “Using Modified Propagation Saw Tests to Track Incremental Changes in Snowpack Stability,” at ISSW 2026 - International Snow Science Workshop in Whistler this fall.

Itai is the son of CAIC’s Ron Simenhois, Northern Mountains Highway Forecaster and Data Scientist, whose career in avalanche science includes developing the Extended Column Test (ECT) and contributing to applied avalanche research.

It’s inspiring to see Itai following in his dad’s footsteps while pursuing his own research in snow and avalanche science. Congratulations, Itai! We look forward to seeing where your work takes you next.

08/06/2026

WE’RE HIRING: Senior Avalanche Forecaster in the Southern Mountains

This is a permanent part-time position with the State of Colorado (full-time winters with a light summer workload). The position includes all of the benefits that come with working for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Join the DNR family!

What you’ll do:
-Write daily avalanche and weather forecasts for public safety
-Facilitate daily forecast meetings to ensure high-quality products and consistent public safety messaging
-Coordinate field operations to gather critical snow, weather, and avalanche data
-Support other CAIC staff with workplace risk management
-Create content for education programs, blogs, social media, and research papers
-Write accident reports to help people understand and avoid these tragic events
-Connect with the community through educational outreach and help people understand and avoid avalanches
-Support search & rescue and partner government agencies

📍 Requirement: Must be a Colorado resident
⏰ Apply by: August 20, 2026 @ 5:00 PM MDT
🔗 Here's the link to learn more and apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/5436219/caic-senior-avalanche-forecaster-psrs-ii?keywords=CAIC%20Senior%20Avalanche%20Forecaster%20(PSRS%20II)&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

08/04/2026

Happy 150th birthday, Colorado! For generations, our mountains have shaped our communities, inspired adventure, and taught us to look out for one another.

Here’s to the peaks, passes and backcountry places we love 🏔️❄️💙

07/29/2026

CAIC’s Dylan Craaybeek recently visited the site of a large avalanche he investigated in January and found the debris pile still visible on July 4.

Old debris piles like this can help confirm where large avalanches ran, how far they traveled, and whether any very large and notable avalanches may have been missed or unreported during the winter, especially in remote areas.

📷 Then and now photos of “The Shield” avalanche path near Marble in Upper Yule Creek. The winter photos show the slope after a D3 avalanche ran on Jan. 14. The summer photos show the debris pile still visible on July 4.

Heading into the high country this summer? If you spot old avalanche debris, please send us an observation with photos and a location, and if you are familiar with the area any other details you want to provide.

You can submit observations year-round at colorado.gov/avalanche, through the CAIC app, via social media, or email. Thank you!

07/24/2026

Friends of CAIC connected with fans at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre last weekend during The String Cheese Incident, sharing avalanche safety and education with Colorado’s outdoor community and promoting the “Shred with a Legend” raffle, happening now through July 26.

Every ticket purchased supports Friends of CAIC and helps fund avalanche forecasting and education across Colorado. Plus, you’ll be entered to win an unforgettable ski day with SCI’s Billy Nershi, lift tickets and an incredible gear package!

🎟️ Enter by July 26: support.friendsofcaic.org/pages/ski-with-billy-nershi

Thanks for your support!

📸: Mitch Kline_String Cheese Incident

07/22/2026

Avalanche forecasts may be seasonal, but CAIC’s science and research work continues year-round.

Last month, CAIC’s Geospatial Data Specialist, Valerie Foley, shared research at the Natural Hazards Workshop on avalanche runout paths. This work supports CAIC’s effort to map avalanche terrain more consistently across Colorado and improve mountain hazard communications.

📷: These images show real avalanche paths alongside modeled runout boundaries. In some examples, the modeled runout closely matches expert-drawn reference lines. In others, the model shows how avalanches can move through complex terrain, including dense forests, narrow openings through trees, and secondary runout zones.