Avalanche Fundamentals

UMA’s Avalanche Fundamentals Course Curriculum

Evening Lecture

The Friday evening lecture will encompass snow science terminology, avalanche types and formation, rescue, hazard evaluation, terrain, snowpack layering, stability tests, weather and the human factor. Instructors will use anecdotes, slides, PowerPoint presentations and other visual aids to present these topics. A Q&A forum and a plan for the next day will conclude the evening.

Friday’s lecture will cover:

• Avalanche triangle
• Avalanche types, terms and formation
• Overview of rescue procedures
• Evaluating hazards
• Identifying avalanche terrain
• Snowpack layering
• Different types of stability tests
• How the weather plays a role
• Importance of human factors

Field Session

The field session will be an applied review of the above topics. Students will travel on skins or snowshoes a short distance into the backcountry. Additionally, instructors will work with no more than 6 students each. Students will dig snow pits, perform stability tests and practice beacon search and rescue scenarios. Everyone will travel up and downhill employing avalanche-hazard mitigation procedures and teaching safe route-finding skills.

This course not only covers avalanche rescue (a must-have before being in or around avalanche terrain). Furthermore, it presents the tools to start identifying avalanche terrain and utilizing your local avalanche advisory to determine the best tours in the future. After completing this course, you can feel confident enough to start choosing tours within your knowledge and ability, while also being more of a part of the decision-making with friends in the field.

Instructors will work with no more than 6 students each to:

• Dig snowpits
• Perform stability tests
• Practice beacon search and rescue scenarios
• Travel up and downhill employing avalanche-hazard mitigation procedures
• Teach safe route-finding skills

Max Student : Instructor Ratio

6 : 1

COURSE PREREQUISITES

• No backcountry experience is necessary.
• Previous resort skiing or snowboarding experience is required for participants using skis or a splitboard.
• Practice skiing or riding off the groomed runs (in deeper, soft and variable snow conditions) is recommended for participants using skis or a splitboard.

SKILL LEVEL

• This is an introductory backcountry course.
• Participants must be able to link turns in variable snow conditions and stop in control if using skis or a splitboard.

This course includes one virtual lecture and one full-day field session (expect to be in the field for 6-8 hours). Guests are expected to bring their own snacks, lunch and water (1-2 liters). UMA does not provide transportation. We encourage carpooling to help mitigate traffic in the canyons and crowded parking areas.

SCHEDULE & MEETING LOCATION

Meeting times are listed below. Meeting locations are provided to enrolled participants before the course date. Field Sessions take place in either Little Cottonwood Canyon or Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Central Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Friday Virtual Lecture: 6 pm – 9 pm
Saturday Field Session: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm

GUIDE/INSTRUCTOR

You will receive a reminder with the contact information for your guide/instructor. They will contact you to confirm meeting time and location, as well as weather considerations and equipment needs.

TRANSPORTATION & PARKING

Transportation will not be provided. Most canyon parking lots require a parking fee.

How To Register

• Register Online
• Call us at (801) 550-3986
• Email us at uma@utahmountainadventures.com

UMA reserves the right to cancel or shorten the course if fewer than 2 participants register.

Avalanche Fundamentals EQUIPMENT LIST

• Non-cotton top and bottom base layer
• Puffy overcoat and/or other insulation layer (fleece, synthetic or down)
• Waterproof/windproof outer shell jacket and pants (or bibs)
• Wool socks
• Waterproof snow gloves and mittens (or a second pair of gloves)
• Lightweight gloves for uphill travel
• Warm hat and baseball cap
• Helmet (recommended)
• Sunglasses and goggles
• Sunscreen
• 1-2 liters of water (water bladders not recommended for winter use)
• Thermos of hot drink (optional)
• Sack lunch and snacks 
• Ski touring, snowboarding, mountaineering or snow boots
• Alpine touring or telemark skis, splitboard or snowshoes
• Ski poles with powder baskets
• Skins if using skis or a splitboard
• Slope meter, snow saw and snowpit kit (optional)
• Beacon
• Shovel
• Probe
• Backpack

Please see our Backcountry & Avalanche Gear List & Rentals page for information on the items UMA provides and local shops where you can rent or purchase gear.

Recommended Books

Snow Sense: A Guide to Evaluating Snow Avalanche Hazard by Jill Freestone & Doug Fesler
Avalanche Essentials: A Step-by-Step System for Safety and Survival by Bruce Tremper
Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper

Recommended Maps

Wasatch Touring Map 1 by Alpentech
Wasatch Touring Map 2 by Alpentech
Wasatch Backcountry Skiing Map by Steve Achelis

UMA is a recognized provider and member of the American Avalanche Association (A3). UMA meets and follows the A3 guidelines, whose aim is to standardize education across the USA. Graduates of UMA’s Avalanche Fundamentals course will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Please see our main FAQ page for general questions or for anything not covered below. 

What is the difference between Avalanche Skills and Level I?

Avalanche Fundamentals consists of one 3-hour lecture and one 6 to 8-hour field day. Topics covered include beacon rescue, snow pits, and group travel, among others. Avalanche Level 1 consists of two 3.5-hour lectures and two field days and covers the same topics in much greater detail. Also, participants will apply skills learned with supervision and feedback from their guide.

Which course is best for me?

If you have never used an alpine touring ski or splitboard setup but are a confident skier/rider in the resort, we recommend Intro to Backcountry to gain familiarity with backcountry equipment, uphill travel on skins, uphill kick turns, transitions and downhill riding in deeper, variable snow conditions.

If you would like to combine learning how to travel in the backcountry with avalanche awareness, UMA’s 2-Day Backcountry Touring & Avalanche Skills Course is a great option.

If you have some experience using an alpine touring ski or splitboard setup with skins and are a confident skier/rider but are unfamiliar with basic avalanche concepts, we recommend Avalanche Fundamentals.

Avalanche Level 1 is designed for those who are confident skiers/riders, know how to use an alpine touring ski or splitboard setup, are familiar with basic avalanche concepts and have been touring in the backcountry for a season or two.

Avalanche Rescue Skills is recommended for those who are familiar with basic avalanche concepts through courses or personal learning. Typically taken after Avalanche Level 1.

If you have taken Level 1, but are rusty on the material, Avalanche Level 1 Refresher is a great review.

Avalanche Level 2 is for those who have taken Avalanche Level 1, Avalanche Rescue Skills and have substantial (2+ seasons) experience with backcountry travel.