More Snow, Fewer People: Your Guide to a Peaceful (and Safe) Backcountry Visit to Leadville & Twin Lakes

If you head into the Colorado backcountry this winter, please be sure you’re prepared. Check out the resources below before you enter the backcountry. And have a fun and safe trip!

STAYING SAFE IN THE BACKCOUNTRY IN WINTER

If you venture into the backcountry this winter, please do so safely. We can help! The Colorado Tourism Office has put together an extensive Colorado Backcountry Winter Safety Toolkit. Check it out to:

1) BE BACKCOUNTRY SMART

Before you hit the trails, check out this overview of how to be backcountry smart.

2) FIND GUIDES, OUTFITTERS & TRAINING

Find winter outfitters in Leadville/Twin Lakes for tours and equipment rentals. You can also learn to ski and snowboard, Nordic ski, and snowshoe at Leadville-Twin Lakes.

3) PREPARE FOR TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE COUNTRY

Before you head out, pull up the daily avalanche forecast from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Please keep in mind that these forecasts cover a large area, and Colorado has many microclimates. Please watch carefully for avalanche conditions as you travel your route.

4) TAKE A WINTER BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY CLASS.

Learn about avalanches and how to mitigate risk with these winter safety courses and resources:

Basic Info

Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) Basic Avalanche Safety Info

Colorado Mountain School Free Avalanche Awareness Online

Avalanche Safety Courses

American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Avalanche Courses

CAIC Avalanche Courses

Colorado Mountain Club Courses

Colorado Adventure Guides Avalanche Courses and Education

Silverton Avalanche School

Courses in Colorado and Other States

American Avalanche Association-endorsed Trainers, by State

5) FIND RESOURCES BY SPORT

Find how-to and safety resources by sport, from snowshoeing and skinning to winter wildlife viewing.

Photo: @vntrbirds

6) LEAVE NO TRACE IN WINTER

Learn how you can leave no trace while enjoying backcountry snowsports.

7) DONATE TO COLORADO SEARCH & RESCUE

When you donate to Lake County Search & Rescue, you help those who help others.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

We want you to have an amazing trip! Please be sure you know how to play it safe in Colorado’s backcountry. Approach our majestic mountains with respect. And have a safe and unforgettable time!

Featured photo: @bvmountainadventures

Highways to Heaven: Experience the Roads Before the Crowds

Looking for that magical moment when you feel like the mountains are all yours? There’s a sweet time of year on the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway, before the […]

Experience Colorado’s Two-Season Spring in Leadville Twin Lakes

In most places, spring means saying goodbye to winter. But in Leadville and Twin Lakes, it means you can get both seasons in one incredible day! Here, snowshoes and sun […]

Spring into Stewardship: Your Guide to Slush, Mud, and Mountain Magic

Springtime in Leadville and Twin Lakes is a season of contrasts. As the snow begins to melt under the warming sun, the landscape transforms into a unique blend of lingering […]

Goggle Tans & Goodbye Runs

Saying Farewell to Ski Season in Leadville As the snow starts to melt and the goggle tans become badges of honor, it’s time to celebrate the end of another epic […]

The Art of Mud Season

IT’S MUD SEASON Spring in Leadville and Twin Lakes means longer days, melting snow, and the start of a new adventure season. But before wildflowers bloom and alpine trails open, […]

One Perfect Spring Day on Harrison Avenue

Shops, Snacks & Small-Town Charm in the Heart of Leadville Springtime in Leadville means snowmelt in the gutters, sunshine on your shoulders, and the irresistible pull of Harrison Avenue. Whether […]

Spring Has Not Sprung: Cozy Up by the Fire in Leadville, Colorado

While much of Colorado welcomes the budding warmth of spring, here in North America’s highest city, winter likes to linger a little (or a lot) longer. At 10,152 feet, Leadville […]

2 MILES HIGH, 2 METERS DEEP

No matter when you visit Leadville and Twin Lakes, you’ll find yourself two miles above sea level (ok, technically 1.9 miles, but who’s counting?). When you visit in March, you’ll […]

February is the Worst… Not Here

Ah, February. That special time of year when you can’t remember what it feels like to be warm outdoors and spring is still oh so far away. It’s the worst, […]