Behind the Beacons: What’s it Like Working at Silverton Avalanche School?
What’s it like to work at one of the most respected avalanche education centers in the country, tucked deep in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado? Short answer: a little cold, incredibly rewarding, and full of snow-loving weirdos who wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
We recently asked our team to share what it's like working at Silverton Avalanche School (SAS), and their answers—now captured in a short video titled "Working at SAS"—were honest, inspiring, and sometimes surprisingly sweet.
“You get to be part of something that actually matters”
Our team comes from a range of backgrounds—professional ski patrollers, guides, educators, scientists—but they all say the same thing: working at SAS is more than just a job. It’s a mission. As one instructor put it:
“The people that work here deeply believe in what they do.”
And what we do is teach avalanche safety to people who love the backcountry. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to gain confidence in Colorado’s rugged terrain or a professional guide seeking to deepen your skills, our courses blend science, decision-making, and mountain culture into something pretty special.
“It’s not just a school. It’s a community”
It turns out that when you spend your winters digging snow pits and navigating avalanche terrain together, you get pretty close. One of our staff captured it perfectly:
“The relationships are what bring me back each season.”
SAS isn’t just about avalanche education—it’s about people. Our instructors, admin staff, and interns all form a tight-knit community, united by a shared love for snowy places and a desire to keep others safe in them. Plus, there’s usually a pretty good pot of coffee in the yurt.
What Makes Silverton Avalanche School Different?
There are lots of great avalanche education providers across the country—but Silverton Avalanche School stands out in a few key ways:
Location, location, location: Silverton, Colorado, isn’t just beautiful—it’s a living lab for avalanche education. Remote, rugged, and real.
Legacy: We’re one of the oldest avalanche schools in the U.S., and our long history gives us deep roots in the field—and deep respect from our peers.
Culture of candor: We don’t pretend to have all the answers. Our instructors are encouraged to be human, to be honest about decision-making, and to teach from real experience—not just slideshows.
Room to grow: At SAS, instructors don’t just teach—they help shape the school. From curriculum ideas to community partnerships, we want our people involved in building the future of avalanche education.
In short, we work hard, care deeply, and give each other the space to lead, laugh, and learn.
“Silverton is the mecca for avalanche education”
It may sound like a bold claim, but when you live and work in a place like Silverton, Colorado, it starts to feel pretty true. With our high-alpine terrain, deep snowpack, and real-world avalanche conditions, there’s no better classroom for learning how to travel smart in the backcountry.
Whether you’re a local or coming in from out of state, spending time here is an immersive experience—equal parts adventure, challenge, and inspiration.
“We laugh a lot”
This one matters more than you might think. Avalanche education is serious stuff—but that doesn’t mean we take ourselves too seriously. Our team is full of folks who work hard, play hard, and know how to laugh through a snowstorm.
So if you’re curious about taking a course, applying for a job, or just want a peek behind the curtain, we invite you to watch “Working at SAS”—a short video that gives you an inside look at our people, our passion, and our powder.
And if you’re someone who thinks spending your winter digging snow profiles, teaching backcountry travel, and drinking cowboy coffee at 11,000 feet sounds like a dream job—maybe this is the place for you too.
