Iain Irwin-Powell, Nederland.   We have the good fortune to live in a beautiful place that allows us many recreational opportunities right on our doorstep. Many of us can either walk out into the backcountry or access it with little effort year round.

For some of us winter is especially enticing in the backcountry.

Whatever the motivation to enter the backcountry there lays in wait a hidden danger.  The Colorado snowpack is often referred to the most dangerous in the United States. The Colorado weather conditions tend to create some of the most interesting and dangerous snowpack formations that generate the perfect conditions for avalanches.

The avalanche is an impressive example of the raw power of nature. Hiding beneath the surface layers of snow waiting for the right trigger to succumb to the forces of gravity and break free. Most of the time we are that trigger.

All too frequently during the winter season we see reports of avalanche fatalities in our mountains, 9 out of 10 of these are avoidable. Whether you snowshoe, hike, snowmobile, ski or board outside of the boundary of a managed ski area you need to have some avalanche knowledge.

On January 6th at 7PM at The Backdoor Theater in Nederland the Colorado Avalanche Information Center in association with Nederland Fire will be presenting Know Before You Go, a free avalanche awareness program. Not much science, no warnings to stay out of the mountains, no formulas to memorize just some information to empower you. In about an hour, you will see the destructive power of avalanches, understand why they happen, and how you can have fun in the mountains and avoid avalanches.  Even if you have previously completed an avalanche safety course come and remind yourself about the key information.

Come and join us for an entertaining and informative time, get some knowledge and learn how to be safe in the mountains.

Reserve your spot at https://goo.gl/dvwRD2 or just turn up on the night.