Friends of the San Juans

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Friends of the San Juans

Friends of the San Juans is a grassroots collective of backcountry enthusiasts committed to providing avalanche awareness and education.

04/02/2026

There might be freshies in the high country, but we are all wrapped up for the season here at FOSJ. We just want to say thank you all for such a wonderful season. We wouldn’t be able to do this without you. Despite our abysmal snow pack, you all brought the stoke to every event and that’s what keeps us coming back year after year. We can’t wait to see you all next year and we hope to see you on the trails, at the crag or on the water this summer!

03/25/2026

Unfortunately, due to the state of the snow pack and our rapid melting season, we must cancel our discussion with CAIC at the Dolores Public Library this Thursday March 26th. We wish all of you a safe and happy finish to the season and we can’t wait to share more avy eduacation with you next year.

02/27/2026

Don't miss our discussion on Human Factors of Avalanches at the on Thursday, March 5th from 6-7:30pm! This event is ideal for anyone who spends time in the backcountry, from beginners to experts. Join us to refresh your awareness and stay sharp on personal skills for navigating avalanche terrain.

02/18/2026

The office has issued an avalanche warning until Feb. 19th at 5:00pm. This is a great reminder to be very intentional with any backcountry travel and plan your day to match the forecast and conditions. Pay close attention to the 5 red flags of avalanche activity and do not be afraid to step your plans back.

The new and forecasted snow has already checked the box for one of our red flags. High winds will compound the effects, drifting new snow into sheltered terrain. Keep an eye out for whumphing, cracking and natural releases, all of which signify instability in the snow pack. Remember, if avalanches are the problem, terrain is the solution.

We’re stoked to see all this fresh snow here in the San Juan’s and can’t wait to enjoy it with all of you. Don’t use the low tide winter as an excuse to step out and take risks now that the snow is here. Head over to the CAIC website or use their app to explore observations or submit your own if you decide to get out over the next few days.

02/07/2026

Join us on Thursday, February 12, for a free film screening and panel discussion exploring mental health in the mountains. We'll screen three short films, including a local feature, followed by a panel with outdoor professionals and mental health experts. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the show begins at 6 pm. Admission is free. This event aims to create space for sharing stories, breaking down stigma, and supporting one another as a community. Backcountry travel can be mentally and emotionally demanding, and these conversations are crucial to continue pursuing the amazing outlet we share. We hope you'll join us for a thoughtful night together.

02/05/2026

A little testimonial from our Snow Sessions at Lizard Head pass last weekend. We were super stoked to have Bella and everyone else join us, and we can’t wait to see all you lovely folks at our events this weekend.

Saturday we have our Women’s On Snow session, and Sunday we have the Leo Lloyd Memorial Rescue Clinic. While we’re fully booked for these events right now, you can always contact us to get on the waitlist and stay up to date on the most current events.

In the meantime keep doing those snow rituals! Whether it’s a frozen spoon under your pillow, a trail map in the freezer, or just washing your car, we’re here for it.

01/31/2026

While we’re normally celebrating winter at this point in the season, it feels like we’re still in late fall. Despite the low snow so far, we’re still here to talk about the state of our snowpack this year. The rain crust from Christmas? The wind transport problem? We’re going to talk about all things snow from this year and have a general discussion about backcountry travel.

Also, happy Snowdown to all our Durango friends! Hopefully this celebration brings us all the snow we can handle to round out the season.

01/27/2026

Some scenes from our On Snow sessions at Lizard Head Pass this weekend. We had an incredible time out there and are grateful to everyone who showed up and braved the cold temperatures and snowy roads.

We had skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers in attendance, which is a great reminder of how important basic avalanche education is here in the San Juans. Learning the fundamentals of terrain management, beacon use, and snowpack assessment goes a long way in helping all of us recreate responsibly throughout the winter season.

We still have several programs coming up this year and would love to see you out there.

February 5
State of the Snowpack

February 7
Women’s On Snow

February 8
Leo Lloyd Memorial Rescue Clinic

February 12
Mental Health in the Mountains film and panel

Thanks again to everyone who continues to show up, learn, and help build a safer backcountry community.

01/16/2026

We had a blast at our on snow sessions on Molas Pass last weekend. Even with the lack of snow this season, there was tons of learning and lots of practice to be had. These low coverage snow years are a great time to practice skills with your backcountry partners for those future missions. And, if you want to join us for a some fun guided practice, we still have space in our on snow sessions at Lizard Head Pass January 23rd and 24th. Sign up through the link in our bio!

Looking beyond January, we have our Women’s On Snow session February 7th, and the Leo Lloyd Memorial rescue clinic February 8th. If you’d like to join either of these events, please be sure to RSVP through our website.

Otherwise, keep those snow dances going! Maybe sleep with a frozen spoon under your pillow. What other snow rituals do you have to bring in the fresh pow?

01/05/2026

Turns out we got some snow in the high country this weekend! That means it’s a perfect time to sign up for our on snow sessions. We have openings on January 10th and 11th at Molas Pass, and on Lizard Head pass January 24th and 25th. Be sure to save your spot ASAP. Link in our Bio or in our Stories to pick your dates.

01/04/2026

Have you heard of Caltopo, onX Maps, Gaia, or any of the other online mapping programs? Have you tried using them but aren’t sure where to start? Join us on January 8th at the Druango Public Library at 6pm! We will go over the basics of using these online mapping tools to plan your next ski tour and help you navigate the backcountry. While it is not required, we encourage all participants to arrive with a computer, tablet, or phone capable of using Caltopo; while there are many other mapping programs, Caltopo is a great place to start, and all the lessons learned will easily transfer into your mapping tool of choice. Caltopo can be found at www.caltopo.com

Address

Durango, CO
81301

Website

http://www.thesanjuans.org/

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