Winter 2024/25 Course Dates now available for registration.

Avalanche Education & Backcountry Skiing

2-Day Touring and Avalanche Skills Course:

During two days of touring, learn avalanche skills, beacon rescue, safe route selection, efficient skinning, downhill technique on skis and split-snowboard, and enjoy legendary Wasatch terrain. Designed for those who'd like to learn it all in a couple of days!

Description:

Instructors will initially focus on equipment and procedures for travel in avalanche terrain. They will discuss choice of tours based on present conditions and projected weather as well as current avalanche hazard. Techniques for maximizing efficiency on skins and trail setting will be reviewed. Special attention will be given to kick turning skills and tricks. The guides will address route selection as the party ascends to appropriate runs.

Guides will coach participants in transitions to downhill mode and proper procedures for descent in avalanche-prone terrain. Techniques for skiing and boarding in untracked snow will be demonstrated. Each participant will be given individual tips on how to improve downhill skills. Time will be allowed for lunch, snacks, water breaks and enjoyment of the winter Wasatch environment. Guides may demonstrate and give students a chance to do practice beacon searches.

The second day will be a longer tour, usually reaching a classic Wasatch bowl or skiable peak. Participants will apply skinning, downhill, and avalanche procedures while enjoying the best terrain and snow conditions available. Guides will dig a snowpit and demonstrate other snow stability assessment techniques as the party travels. Instructor will suggest good tours for students to do on their own, and offer insights into a progression of tours to enable goals to be achieved.

How to Register:

Powder skiing in the backcountry

Powder Splitboarding in the Backcountry

Photo by Kelly Robbins

Skier Triggered Avalanche

Skier Triggered Avalanche

Photo by Bruce Tremper

Course Details

2024-25 Dates

Dec 14 & 15, 2024
Sat (8am-4pm) & Sun (8am-4pm)

Dec 30 & 31, 2024
Mon (8am-4pm) & Tues (8am-4pm)

Jan 4 & 5, 2025
Sat (8am-4pm) & Sun (8am-4pm)

Jan 13 & 14, 2025
Mon (8am-4pm) & Tue (8am-4pm)

Jan 25 & 26, 2025
Sat (8am-4pm) & Sun (8am-4pm)

Feb 3 & 4, 2025
Mon (8am-4pm) & Tues (8am-4pm)

Feb 22 & 23, 2025
Sat (8am-4pm) & Sun (8am-4pm)

Mar 15 & 16, 2025
Sat (8am-4pm) & Sun (8am-4pm)

Mar 29 & 30, 2025
Sat (8am-4pm) & Sun (8am-4pm)

* Optional 3-hour Avi Skills Lecture, 6-9pm ($39)
TBD

Duration

Two full days in the backcountry

Location

Salt Lake City, Utah

Fee

$459 pp+tax for both days
*Option to add 3 hour Avi Skills Lecture for $39 (see dates above)

UMA reserves the right to cancel or shorten the clinic if fewer than 2 participants register.

Level

Introductory. No Backcountry Experience Necessary.

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Utah Mountain Adventures

P.O. Box 521809

Salt Lake City, Utah 84152-1809

Phone: (801) 550 3986

Fax: (801) 486 8505

Email: uma@utahmountainadventures.com

Utah Mountain Adventures | Patagonia Utah Mountain Adventures | Forest Service Backcountry Skiing Utah, by Tyson Bradley