Level 1

This course's field sessions require sufficient fitness to travel at least 1,000ft uphill at altitudes of 7,000ft and higher. Students using touring skis or split-snowboards must feel comfortable traveling uphill on skins, making uphill kick-turns, transitioning from uphill to downhill mode and linking turns downhill in variable backcountry snow. Students should also have already taken UMA’s Avalanche Fundamentals or have equivalent knowledge.

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This course is an approved American Avalanche Association (A3) 24-hour Level 1. After successful completion of the course participants will receive a Level 1 Certificate A3. All UMA Instructors are professionally certified by the American Avalanche Association.

Utah Mountain Adventures Level 1: Learn safe travel in avalanche terrain and recognition of weather, snow pack and terrain factors contributing to avalanche hazard. Dig snow pits and perform field tests to recognize weak and strong layers in snow pack and practice efficient rescue with avalanche beacons. Participants are placed in groups of compatible experience and ability. Group requests are honored.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: UMA’s Avalanche Level 1 course, taught in the ideal backcountry terrain of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, is a 24-hour course, standardized in the US and endorsed by the American Avalanche Association (A3) and equivalent to AIARE 1. UMA’s course includes self-paced online modules from MTN Training Center featuring UMA Avalanche Instructors (one-year of access), online Q&A with instructors, in-person tour planning and two full field days in the Wasatch backcountry. It’s designed for backcountry travelers seeking a comprehensive, intermediate-level snow safety course. UMA avalanche instructors are broadly-experienced and hold professional A3 certifications. They are patient, passionate professionals, with an intimate knowledge of the Wasatch Mountains and snowpack. The graduate of this course will understand the basics of snow science, stability evaluation, safe travel, and rescue, and be ready to make informed decisions in avalanche terrain.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Accessing and understanding the content of local avalanche reports
• Effectively applying an avalanche forecast to decision-making
• Where and why avalanches run and the key components of their formation
• Recognition and management of human factor risks
• Effective group communication
• Using simple decision-making and planning tools
• Trailhead checks, safe travel protocols and procedures to minimize risk and exposure
• Companion rescue skills, including single-beacon recovery, efficient probing and shoveling techniques
• Basics of weather with respect to snowpack layering and structure
• Performing key snowpack tests and observations
• Recognizing avalanche terrain in the field and during classroom tour planning exercises using maps and apps
• Selecting terrain and route appropriate to the present avalanche forecast and problem
• Associating objectives with terrain and avalanche avoidance

SCHEDULES:

MONDAY EVENING – WEDNESDAY (WEEKDAY COURSE)

• Self-paced online module – produced by Mountain Training Center and taught by UMA instructors
• Mon: 6:30 pm – 8 pm, Interactive Virtual Lecture and Q&A
• Tue: 7:30 am – 2:30 pm, Backcountry Field Session
• Tue: 3:30 pm – 5 pm, Tour planning session at UMA Office in Cottonwood Heights
• Wed: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, Backcountry Field Session (full day tour)

FRIDAY EVENING – SUNDAY (WEEKEND COURSE)

• Self-paced online module – produced by Mountain Training Center and taught by UMA instructors
• Fri: 6:30 pm – 8 pm, Interactive Virtual Lecture and Q&A
• Sat: 7:30 am – 2:30 pm, Backcountry Field Session
• Sat: 3:30 pm – 5 pm, Tour planning session at UMA Office in Cottonwood Heights
• Sun: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, Backcountry Field Session (full day tour)

COURSE DATES:

• Dec 4-6, 2026 (Friday-Sunday) - Open to Snowshoers/mountaineers
• Dec 11-13, 2026 (Friday-Sunday)
• Dec 14-16, 2026 (Monday-Wednesday)
• Jan 1-3, 2027 (Friday-Sunday) - Open to Snowshoers/mountaineers
• Jan 15-17, 2027 (Friday-Sunday)
• Jan 18-20, 2027 (Monday-Wednesday)
• Jan 29-31, 2027 (Friday-Sunday)
• Feb 26-28, 2027 (Friday-Sunday)
• Mar 12-14, 2027 (Friday-Sunday) - Open to Snowshoers/mountaineers
• Apr 2-4, 2027 (Friday-Sunday)

COST:

• Weekday Course: $599 plus tax
• Weekend Course: $649 plus tax

MEETING LOCATION: Meeting location is generally at the UMA Office in Cottonwood Heights or at a trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon or Big Cottonwood Canyon just outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

TRANSPORTATION & PARKING: Transportation will not be provided. Most canyon parking lots require a parking fee and we encourage carpooling for the overflow lot. Feel free to reach out to the other participants in your group to carpool.

• Register here or contact Utah Mountain Adventures:
• [email protected]
• 801-550-3986
• UtahMountainAdventures.com