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.

Check out our Website for more details or sign in here to select your preferred course and dates.

This course is an approved American Avalanche Association 24-hour Level 1 and provides a certificate of completion.

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.

Course Description: This 24-hour course is sanctioned by the American Avalanche Association (A3), and students will receive a nationally recognized certificate upon completion. It is designed for those with some touring experience and familiarity with avalanche terrain who are seeking a comprehensive and structured course. UMA avalanche instructors are broadly experienced, patient, passionate avalanche professional and guides 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. The course is 40% classroom based and 60% field based (in and around avalanche terrain).

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE

Monday: 5:30pm - 9:00 pm - Interactive Zoom Lectures

Tuesday: 7:30am - 4:00pm - Field Session

Wednesday: 5:30pm - 9:00 pm - Interactive Zoom Lectures

Thursday: 7:30am - 4:00 pm - Field Session

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Accessing and understanding content of local avalanche reports
• Effectively applying an avalanche forecast to decision-making
• Where and why avalanches run and 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 field and during classroom route-finding exercises
• Selecting terrain and route appropriate to the present avalanche forecast and problem
• Associating objectives to terrain and avalanche avoidance

Cost: $599 plus tax

WINTER 2025-26 UMA AVALANCHE LEVEL 1 CLASS DATES

• Dec 4-7, 2025 (Thursday-Sunday)
• Dec 11-14, 2025 (Thursday-Sunday)
• Dec 15-18, 2025 (Monday-Thursday)
• Jan 1-4, 2026 (Thursday-Sunday)
• Jan 15-18, 2026 (Thursday-Sunday)
• Jan 19-22, 2026 (Monday-Thursday)
• Jan 29 - Feb 1, 2026 (Thursday-Sunday)
• Feb 9-12, 2026 (Monday-Thursday)
• Feb 26 - Mar 1, 2026 (Thursday-Sunday)
• Mar 12-15, 2026 (Thursday-Sunday)
• Apr 2-5, 2026 (Thursday-Sunday)

Register here or contact Utah Mountain Adventures: email: uma@utahmountainadventures.com phone: 801-550-3986 web: www.UtahMountainAdventures.com