The team at Visit Alamosa is proud to announce that Alamosa has been nominated for USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award in the category of “Best Small-Town Cultural Scene.” Alamosa is the only destination in Colorado to receive a nomination in the small-town cultural scene category. Continue reading below to learn more about what makes Alamosa so special, and a town worth the title of “Best Small-Town Cultural Scene.”

Alamosa is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the San Luis Valley. Widely known for breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and rich cultural history, Alamosa is a must-visit destination for any avid traveler. If you happen to be planning a trip the first week of March, you are in for a treat! March 1-10 marks the highly anticipated Alamosa Restaurant Week, a celebration of the diverse and delicious dining scene.

Alamosa and the San Luis Valley as a whole are perfect for winter fun! Outdoor activity is great for both your physical and mental wellness! That being said, there are a few things to take note of before heading out for your adventure. Having fun while being safe is the way to go, and our friends as SLV GO know all of the best ways for you to have a safe and fun filled day. Read along to learn about red flags to watch for and brush up on ice and avalanche safety! 

Ice Safety

Is ice ever totally safe? Short answer is no.

Ice fishing is fun, but safety always comes first. Ice conditions can change quickly over time and vary dramatically across short distances.

What about river ice? Safer or more dangerous than lake ice? Never walk out on river ice!

Here are some tips:

• Check the weather

• Tell someone where you're going.

• Bring a friend - for company and safety.

• Look for signs that others have been out on the ice first. Never be first on the ice!

• Check ice thickness and clarity

  • There should be at least 4-6 inches of clear ice

• If there's snow on the ice, use caution. It can hide the ice condition.

• Don't approach open water.

• Stay clear of pressure ridges and/or large cracks.

• Be extra cautious around areas that can make ice weaker such as docks and other structures. inlets and outlets, and springs.

• Spread out if you have a big group.

Ice Thickness

You can't determine how thick the ice is by looking. Drill a test hole and measure it to make sure it's safe.

Recommended minimum ice thickness guidelines for good, clear ice:

• Under 4 inches: STAY OFF
• 4 inches: Ice fishing or other activities on foot
• 7 inches: Snowmobile or ATV
• 10 inches: Small car (not recommended, but if you must, proceed at your own risk)
• 12 inches: Larger vehicle (not recommended, but if you must, proceed at your own risk)

 

Avalanche Safety 

The thrill of skiing untracked powder. Finding solitude in the outdoors in winter. Exploring remote mountain wilderness on your own two feet. Whatever reasons draw you into the backcountry in winter, it’s important to know that if you head into snow-covered mountains, there’s a risk of avalanches. With information and education, you can begin to identify where and why they occur in order to avoid them.

What is an avalanche? Avalanches can be big or small, wet or dry, but at their root, they’re masses of snow moving down a slope. Avalanches can be deadly, and an average of 27 people die in U.S. avalanches each year, according to statistics kept by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Whether you ski, snowboard, snowshoe, hike, snowmobile or climb, anyone who spends time in snowy mountains can benefit from avalanche safety education.

Here’s how to get started:

• Understand where and why avalanches occur: Learning this information will help you avoid avalanches when you recreate in snow-covered mountains.
• Check the avalanche forecast: A network of avalanche centers in the U.S. provides daily forecasts with detailed information about conditions to help you prepare for your trip.
• Carry rescue gear and know how to use it: It’s best to avoid avalanches in the first place, but if things do go wrong, always have the proper rescue gear and know how to use it.
• Learn to recognize five red flags: Once outside, use your observational skills to recognize five key clues warning you about unstable snowpack.
• Take a class: At the very least, take an avalanche awareness course. Consider getting more formal training. Get the education that matches your goals and comfort level.

Remember: Safety is your responsibility. No internet article or video can replace proper instruction and experience—this article is intended solely as supplemental information. Be sure you’re practiced in proper techniques and safety requirements before you engage in any outdoors activity.

Understand Where and Why Avalanches Occur

For more on how to recognize avalanche terrain and how to find safer terrain, read Reducing Risks in Avalanche Terrain. 

3. Can I trigger an avalanche?

The third factor needed for an avalanche to occur is a trigger. Natural triggers such as snow, wind or rain can cause avalanches. But most avalanche accidents are triggered by the subsequent victim or someone in the victim’s group. A skier, snowboarder, snowshoer, snowmobiler, climber and others can all trigger avalanches (such as by moving their weight over unstable snow). So the decisions you make about when and where to go and how to travel can make a huge difference in preventing accidents. And despite a prevailing myth, you cannot trigger an avalanche by shouting or making loud noises.

Check the Avalanche Forecast

One of the most important things you can do before heading into the backcountry is to arm yourself with information about the weather and avalanche conditions. A network of regional backcountry avalanche centers in the U.S. provides daily avalanche forecasts for many mountainous regions to help people understand where avalanches may occur. Check the forecast daily because conditions constantly change.

Forecasters in the U.S. and Canada use a universal five-level warning system called the Avalanche Danger Scale; it lets recreationists know about the potential avalanche danger over a specific time period in certain mountain regions.

The forecast will tell you:

• the danger rating that day (low, moderate, considerable, high or extreme)
• the likelihood of avalanches
• the expected size and distribution of avalanches
• travel advice

Learn step-by-step instructions on How to Read an Avalanche Forecast.

Carry Avalanche Safety Gear and Know How to Use It

Since most avalanches are triggered by a person who ends up trapped or someone in the group, it’s crucial that all members of your group carry essential avalanche rescue gear and know how to use it. If you or someone in your group is caught and fully buried in an avalanche, you have limited time to dig them out. You and your partners need to be well practiced at using your transceiver, probe and shovel. Having rescue gear, however, doesn’t prevent you from getting caught in an avalanche nor does it mean you’ll necessarily survive an avalanche.

Education, information and experience help you make good decisions to avoid being caught in an avalanche. If an avalanche happens, you should have essential rescue gear and know how to use it. But rescue should be considered a last-ditch effort.

At a minimum, each member of your group should have an avalanche transceiver, a probe and a shovel:

• Avalanche transceiver (also called rescue beacon): These small electronic devices transmit or receive electromagnetic signals, allowing you to locate a person who is buried. Each person in your group wears one and turns it on to transmit signals at the start of your trip. If someone gets buried, others in the group switch the beacon to “receive” mode to locate the signal of the trapped person.  
• Snow probe: Once you’ve located a buried person’s signal, you’ll use a snow probe to pinpoint where and how deep they’re buried. These collapsible, lightweight poles help you locate the buried person without wasting a lot of time digging in the wrong spot.
• Shovel: Digging out a buried person is time-consuming and hard. Lightweight snow shovels make it easier to move lots of snow.

For more detailed information, read our article on Avalanche Rescue Basics. 

Recognize Five Red Flags

In addition to reading the daily avalanche forecast, once you're outside, keep your eyes open for avalanche red flags. These are the simplest and basic observations you can make to stay safe when traveling in the backcountry. Be on the lookout for visual and audible warning signs of elevated avalanche danger. When you see one of these red flags, it’s nature’s way of telling you that the snowpack is unstable and there’s a real risk of an avalanche.

Here are five red flags of unstable snow:

1. Recent avalanches: If you see signs of recent avalanches or forecasters tell you there have been recent slides, it’s a clear warning to avoid avalanche terrain. If you can’t tell whether an avalanche was recent, assume that it was. One clear sign of a recent avalanche: if you see piles of chunky snow (avalanche debris). Or if you look up at the mountains, you’ll see the vertical face (called the crown or fracture line) where the avalanche has pulled away from the snowpack.
2. Shooting cracks: When unstable snowpack collapses under a trigger, cracks may shoot across the snow surface and can sometimes run for tens or hundreds of feet.
3. “Whumpfing”: This is the loud noise you may hear when unstable snowpack collapses under you or your group. As the air rushes out of the snowpack, it goes “whumpf.” (Yes, that’s the technical term adopted by avalanche forecasters and educators). Where shooting cracks are the visual clues, whumpfing is the audible one. The two can happen at the same time.
4. Big changes in weather: If you’re experiencing big changes in weather, you should expect big problems.
   • Recent rain or heavy snowfall means the conditions are there for unstable snow.
   • Strong winds: Look for surface patterns on the snow made by strong winds, which could indicate that snow has been transported and deposited in dangerous drifts that can release and run. Pay attention to cornices and drifts on steep slopes.
   • Rapid temperature change: Beware if you experience rapid melting, which can affect snowpack stability.
5. Persistent slab avalanche: This is a type of avalanche that forms when a weak layer of snow is buried by other layers of snow. While most avalanches occur during or after a storm, persistent slabs can occur long after a storm has ended and are disproportionately responsible for avalanche fatalities.  

No matter how you choose to spend time outdoors this winter, know before you go, approach activities with caution, and always be prepared. Take this information and gather essential material to keep you and your group safe while taking part in the snowy fun! From all of us here at Visit Alamosa and SLV GO, happy adventuring!

Article Written by: San Luis Valley Great Outdoors

Photo Credit: San Luis Valley Great Outdoors

The SLV GO Health & Wellness division is in year three of a generous three-year grant cycle with the Colorado Health Foundation. As we enter the 2024 year we will begin applying for previously identified grants that may provide funding to continue the Nature Prescribed work further. The SLV GO Health & Wellness Coordinator, Esteban Salazar has been pivotal in ongoing lobbying of our four major Healthcare system partners in an effort to reach both Primary Care Providers, Therapists and healthcare system Administrators. We still have lots of work to do but we hope to have a staff member from Park Rx America fly in and host a real time in person training on Nature Prescription text message reminders to be used with PCP’s developing a care plan for patients/clients that are committing to a Nature Prescription. Click here for more information.

Alamosa and its surrounding areas make up a blissful winter wonderland. There is so much to do and enjoy this time of year all over the San Luis Valley! Whether you are looking for an activity to enjoy alone, something to do with a friend, or looking to make it a family outing, there is sure to be something close by! We are here to share a few of our favorite winter activities and locations to send you on your way to the perfect snowy adventure. 

We all know that the dark sky park is an amazing place to choose for stargazing. However, Alamosa is home to so many other stargazing locations that you won't want to skip. Open skies, stunning stars, and views that won't disappoint, there is only one thing missing--YOU! Read on to discover five of our favorite places to stargaze outside of The Great Sand Dunes National Park!