Level 1 (Youth)

AVALANCHE LEVEL 1 - YOUTH

Our Youth Avalanche Level 1 course is designed for youngsters seeking a comprehensive and structured course. This course, taught in the ideal backcountry terrain of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, includes 24 hours of instruction spread over 3 days and is recognized by the American Avalanche Association. Students will learn the basics of snow science, stability evaluation, safe travel and rescue, and be ready to make informed decisions in avalanche terrain. Graduates will receive a nationally-recognized certificate upon completion.

Register here

COURSE DATES

Dec 28-30, 2026 (Monday-Wednesday)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

UMA’s Youth Avalanche Level 1 course is oriented toward 13 to 17-year-old backcountry skiers, splitboarders and snowshoers. Freeride competitors, ski racers and skimo team members have frequented this course, as well as other teens seeking a solid foundation in the fundamentals of avalanche safety.

Sanctioned by the American Avalanche Association (A3), students will receive a nationally recognized certificate upon completion. Moreover, this course is designed for youngsters seeking a comprehensive and structured avalanche course. In turn, graduates will understand the basics of snow science, stability evaluation, safe travel and rescue, and be ready to make informed decisions in avalanche terrain.

UMA’S YOUTH AVALANCHE LEVEL 1 COURSE CURRICULUM

• 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 route-finding exercises
• Selecting terrain and route appropriate to the present avalanche forecast and problem
• Associating objectives with terrain and avalanche avoidance

WHAT TO EXPECT?

This is a 3-day course that spans about 8 hours per day. The youth avalanche training is 40% lecture-based and 60% field-based. The schedule includes interactive lectures on day one, followed by two backcountry field sessions (days two and three).

Learn safe travel in avalanche terrain and recognition of weather, snow pack, terrain and human factors contributing to avalanche hazard in the company of other young snow riders. Dig snowpits and perform field tests to recognize strong over weak layers in snowpack and practice efficient individual and group rescue with an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe. UMA avalanche instructors are broadly-experienced, patient, passionate and youth-friendly professionals with an intimate knowledge of the Wasatch Mountains.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG BACKCOUNTRY ENTHUSIASTS?

Backcountry skiing in Utah is arguably the finest skiing in the world and offers terrain for beginners and experts alike. Side-country is backcountry. Thus, it is avalanche terrain. Indeed, the epic-ness of the backcountry has become increasingly popular and is widely shared on social media, YouTube and in ski and snowboard films. However, many of these films forget to show the planning, training and skills required to enter backcountry terrain. In turn, each season, more and more young skiers and riders want to get a taste of the backcountry. In addition, there has been an increased number of ski and freeride teams that want their competitors and coaches to be informed. Along with kids having access to open gates at resorts, it is crucial that they recognize the hazards and risks that exist once they leave resort boundaries.

COST:

• $599 plus tax

COURSE PREREQUISITES & SKILL LEVEL

• Students must like hiking and exploring in the mountains and be open to adventure.
• Students should be confident and in control skiing or riding black diamond runs at the resort.
• Participants should be comfortable and in control skiing and riding trees and ungroomed, variable snow conditions.

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