Provided by Utah Mountain Adventures

Salt Lake
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Sat & Sun OR Mon & Tue: 8am-4pm. This course is a thorough introduction to backcountry skiing & split boarding paired with in-depth avalanche skills for the perfect pre-requisite to your Level 1 Avi Training. Cost: $429 plus tax
Register here
2-Day Touring & Avalanche Skills
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. Skiers and riders will participate in digging a snowpit with their guide and perform snow pack analysis and highlight a few standard snow pit test. Guides will 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.
2022-23 Dates
Dec 17 & 18, 2022
Sat (8am-4pm) & Sun (8am-4pm)
Dec 26 & 27, 2022
Mon (8am-4pm) & Tues (8am-4pm)
Jan 7 & 8, 2023
Sat (8am-4pm) & Sun (8am-4pm)
Jan 16 & 17, 2023
Mon (8am-4pm) & Tue (8am-4pm)
Feb 11 & 12, 2023
Sat (8am-4pm) & Sun (8am-4pm)
Feb 25 & 26, 2023
Sat (8am-4pm) & Sun (8am-4pm)
Mar 13 & 14, 2023
Mon (8am-4pm) & Tues (8am-4pm)
*Ask UMA about adding on a 3-hour Avi Skills Evening Lecture for $39 from the dates below:
FRIDAYS 6PM - 9PM:
Dec 9, 2022
Jan 13, 2023
Feb 10, 2023
Mar 10, 2023
Cost: $429 plus tax (50% deposit to secure a spot)