Avalanche Awareness (Youth)

Youth Backcountry & Avalanche Skills (1-Day)

An avalanche course and a backcountry tour in one day, built for teens. Young skiers and riders ages 13–17 spend a holiday-weekend day with UMA’s certified guides learning to recognize avalanche terrain, use rescue gear and make smart choices in the backcountry and beyond the resort boundary.

Register here

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Many teen skiers and riders first meet avalanche terrain one step past a resort boundary gate. Those side-country gates lead into the backcountry, and the snow on the other side isn’t controlled or patrolled. The Youth Backcountry & Avalanche Skills course gives young athletes the knowledge to make better decisions there, in one full day in the field.

This course combines the core of our 2-Day Backcountry & Avalanche Skills course in a faster, teen-focused format. Students learn to read the avalanche forecast, recognize avalanche terrain and terrain traps, and practice beacon searches, probing and shoveling. We put those skills to use during a guided tour, skinning uphill, choosing safe routes and riding fresh snow with peers.

We hold it on holiday weekends, so it fits around school and still leaves a day to ski with family and friends.

YOUTH BACKCOUNTRY & AVALANCHE SKILLS OBJECTIVES

• Understand the difference between resort, side-country and backcountry terrain
• Read the Utah Avalanche Center forecast and understand what it means for your day
• Recognize avalanche terrain, slope angle and terrain traps
• Use an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel in a companion rescue scenario
• Communicate with partners and make group decisions
• Practice uphill skinning and kick turns
• Travel one at a time and use safe spots in avalanche terrain
• Improve powder and variable-snow skiing and riding

MAX STUDENT : INSTRUCTOR RATIO

6 : 1

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE?

This course is designed for skiers and snowboarders ages 13–17 who ski in-bounds and are curious about the backcountry, want to ride beyond resort boundary gates, or have started touring with family. It’s a great first step before a Level 1 course. It’s also great for parents who want their teen to learn from a professional.

COURSE DATES DON’T FIT YOUR SCHEDULE?

Any of our pre-scheduled courses can be run as custom outings. If you’re interested in a course but the dates don’t fit your schedule, please check out our private guiding options. School and team groups are welcome. Contact us to set up a date.

SCHEDULE:

• Field Session: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm

COURSE DATES:

• Jan 17, 2027 (Sunday)
• Feb 15, 2027 (Monday)

COST:

• $269 plus tax

COURSE PREREQUISITES

• Participants must be 13–17 years old.
• No prior backcountry or avalanche experience is required.
• A parent or legal guardian must sign the participant waiver.

FITNESS & SKILL LEVEL

• Students must be able to ski or ride black diamond runs in control at a resort.
• Students should enjoy hiking and be able to skin uphill for 1–2 hours.

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