Cairn Corner: February 2025 Winter Skills
Cairn Participants Learn Winter Skills at Caribou Ranch
Winter Skills in Action: Cairn's February Event at Caribou Ranch
At Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), we believe that outdoor skills go beyond just recreation—they build resilience, confidence, and a deeper connection to nature. This past February, we partnered with Boulder County Parks and Open Space and the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group to host an unforgettable Winter Skills Cairn Event at Caribou Ranch Open Space.
With 18 eager students in attendance, this hands-on experience blended survival skills, first aid training, and winter adventure, all against a stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop. Participants split into two groups—one focusing on emergency snow shelters and fire-building, while the other took on a partial Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training and an exciting rescue simulation.
Building Quinzhee Huts: A True Winter Survival Challenge
For half of our students, the day's mission was to construct Quinzhee huts, a type of emergency snow shelter. Unlike igloos, which require blocks of hardened snow, Quinzhees are made by hollowing out a large pile of compacted snow. They provide insulation from the cold and can mean the difference between life and death in a winter survival situation.
Students worked in teams, carefully shaping their huts while learning about snow insulation—how the air trapped in the snow helps maintain a livable temperature inside the shelter. They also practiced winter nutrition strategies, understanding how to fuel their bodies efficiently in cold weather, and honed fire-building skills amongst the snow.
As they dug into their shelters, cross-country skiers and day hikers passing by couldn’t help but take notice—seeing legs sticking out of the Quinzhee entrances must have been quite the sight! The students embraced the challenge, determined to build the best and sturdiest Quinzhee hut by the end of the session.
Wilderness First Responder Training: Mock Rescue Scenarios
The other half of our students teamed up with Rocky Mountain Rescue Group for an immersive Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training experience. WFR certification is a gold standard for outdoor leaders, teaching individuals the beginnings of how to provide first aid in remote settings where emergency services aren’t immediately available.
Participants learned how to assess patients, stabilize injuries, and handle emergency evacuations in harsh conditions. They put their skills to the test in a mock rescue scenario, practicing how to safely transport a critically injured patient across uneven terrain. This real-world simulation gave them a little taste of what it’s like to respond to emergencies in the wilderness.
A Perfect Day in the Rockies
The event took place at Caribou Ranch Open Space, where the weather was welcoming (a nice low-50s day). While the previous week's snowfall meant students had to trek across four feet of snow in some areas, it made for an excellent backdrop to practice snowshoeing.
Throughout the day, whether it was mastering fire-building, constructing Quinzhee huts, or carrying out a wilderness rescue, every student left with newfound skills for handling the unexpected in the outdoors
You can read more about VOC's Cairn Program here or reach out to Emily with any questions.
