Ages 21+ only.
$30.00 at the door.
TICKETS ARE NOW ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

Modeled after the International Snow Science Workshop, USAW provides a venue for
experienced skiers, sledders, and avalanche professionals to get together, along with those new to
the game, to take a closer look at the underbelly of the avalanche dragon. Join us to geek out on
snow science, learn from the pros & each other, & reconstruct 2 accidents from last season
to discuss what can be learned from those experiences.

Admission is $25 which includes free parking, afternoon refreshments, and an after event social.

Schedule of Talks:

13:05-13:40 Dirty Little Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth- Jim Steenburgh

Global warming, it's ongoing and future impacts on Utah snow, and some of the dirty little secrets of climate change over Utah.

13:45-14:05 Spatial Variability in Steep, Complex Terrain- Zach Guy

More winter recreationists are venturing into steep, avalanche chutes and “extreme” terrain each year. Understanding the slope-scale spatial variability of weak layers and how they relate to terrain is critical for prediction and mitigation of avalanche hazard. Previous studies have had limited success in statistically describing or predicting spatial patterns based on terrain. No previous research has attempted to predict the influence of terrain parameters on spatial variability of weak layers in the complex terrain used in this study.

14:10- 14:45 The Effect of Changing Slope Angle on Extended Column Test Results- Ron Siminhois

Practitioners often assume that weak snowpack layers fracture more easily in steeper terrain. However, recent fracture mechanics research as well as propagation saw testing suggest that increasing slope angle has a small effect on fracture initiation. In this talk we will explore the effect of slope angle on extended column test (ECT) results.

14:45-15:00 Break

15:05-15:25 An Avalanche Accident on the Manti-Skyline- Mark Greenwood, Dustin Butcher, Patrick Grewe

Survivors give a detailed account of an avalanche accident on Horseshoe Mountain.

15:30-15:50 Late Season Close Call on the Pfeifferhorn- Kim Hall/Jewel Lund

A firsthand account describes conditions and group dynamics that lead to a slide for life in the northwest couloir of the Pfeifferhorn.

15:55-16:15 A Selective History of Little Cottonwood Canyon- Jimmy Collinson

A narrative using archived historic photos.

16:20-17:00 The Enemy Within: Human error in avalanche accidents- Ian McCammon

Our understanding of avalanches has changed thru the years, but are we any closer to preventing fatalities?

17:00-18:00 Social at The Blue Goose located in The Depot… woohoo!