Eyes on the snow

This winter, we’ve all had our eyes on the snow– or lack thereof – but the folks at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center are looking for a few more. The Friends of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (FoCAIC) – the outreach, education, events and fundraising arm of the CAIC – recently launched its annual “Observations Challenge” for the 2025-26 season.  

The goal of the program is to get fellow backcountry travelers to submit observations in an effort to better facilitate avalanche forecasting. From November–May, CAIC publishes daily avi reports for various zones in the state, covering approximately 28,000 square miles. However, CAIC’s 28 forecasters can only cover a small portion of that terrain each day, making public observations critical.

“Public observations are essential to our work,” Ethan Greene, director of CAIC, said in a news release. “We depend on information from the backcountry community to help us see the full picture.”

Participants need not be avi professionals or well-versed in avi-geek speak to submit an observation. Simple, timely reports in layperson’s terms are enough to help inform forecasts, influence travel decisions and, in some cases, help prevent accidents.

Folks are encouraged to watch for and submit observations related to:

• Avalanche activity

•Cracking or collapsing of the snowpack

• Snowpack structure and conditions

• Heavy snowfall or rapid loading

• Wind transport and drifting snow

• Rapid warming

• Red flags and changing conditions

• Skiing or riding conditions

“Every backcountry day is a chance to learn something and build better habits,” Aaron Carlson, executive director of Friends of CAIC, said. “If you’re paying attention to the snowpack and conditions, and you submit a field report, you are keeping yourself and your partners safer and giving the rest of the backcountry community better information to make smarter decisions.”

In addition to helping to make the backcountry safer for everyone, participants can also win some swag. Each month, a winner will be drawn for gear and prizes from Weston Backcountry and other outdoor brands. There will also be a grand prize winner at the end of the season who will get their choice of skis, a splitboard or a snowboard from Weston.

Learn more or submit observations at: support.friendsofcaic.org/pages/observations