Avalanche Level 1
UMA’s Avalanche Level 1 course, taught in the ideal backcountry terrain of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, is a 24-hour course, standardized in the US and endorsed by the American Avalanche Association (A3) and equivalent to AIARE 1. UMA’s course includes self-paced online modules, online Q&A with instructors, in-person tour planning and two full field days in the Wasatch backcountry. It’s designed for backcountry travelers seeking a comprehensive, intermediate-level snow safety course. UMA avalanche instructors are broadly-experienced and hold professional A3 certifications. They are patient, passionate professionals, with an intimate knowledge of the Wasatch Mountains and snowpack.
Course Dates
- Dec 4-6, 2026 (Friday-Sunday)
- Dec 11-13, 2026 (Friday-Sunday)
- Dec 14-16, 2026 (Monday-Wednesday)
- Jan 1-3, 2027 (Friday-Sunday)
- Jan 15-17, 2027 (Friday-Sunday)
- Jan 18-20, 2027 (Monday-Wednesday)
- Jan 29-31, 2027 (Friday-Sunday)
- Feb 26-28, 2027 (Friday-Sunday)
- Mar 12-14, 2027 (Friday-Sunday)
- Apr 2-4, 2027 (Friday-Sunday)
UMA’s Avalanche Level 1 graduates gain the knowledge to plan backcountry tours, select appropriate objectives and minimize risk in backcountry travel. Graduates will understand the UAC or other avalanche forecast, and apply them to decision-making, tour planning, route finding and avalanche avoidance. Students will know where and why avalanches run, how to recognize this terrain and safe-travel procedures to reduce exposure. Weather will be understood as it impacts stability and relates to snowpack layering and structure.
Graduates will be taught about human factor risks, effective communication and simple decision-making tools. Companion rescue skills and using a beacon, shovel and probe will be practiced. Students will know how and where to dig snowpits, perform tests and interpret results of these and other observations concerning avalanche problem(s).
UMA’s 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 tour planning exercises using maps and apps
- Selecting terrain and route appropriate to the present avalanche forecast and problem
- Associating objectives with terrain and avalanche avoidance
Max Student : Instructor Ratio
6 : 1
Next Steps
After completing Avalanche Level 1 and having practiced the skills you learned, A3 recommends Avalanche Rescue and Avalanche Level 2 to progress your knowledge.
Be prepared for 2 days of backcountry travel at altitude. Good fitness, experience with uphill travel on skins with skis or a splitboard are essential to participation in most of UMA’s Level 1 course. If you are a snowshoer or mountaineer without ski or snowboard skinning experience, but would like to gain the avalanche hazard evaluation skills taught in Level 1, please check out Avalanche Level 1 – Mountaineers & Snowshoers.
Course Prerequisites
- Avalanche Fundamentals or equivalent is required.
- Experience touring with skins on skis or a splitboard is required.
Fitness & Skill Level
- You must have sufficient fitness to travel 1,500 ft uphill at altitudes of 7,000′ and above.
- You should be an intermediate to advanced in-bounds skier or rider.
- You should have proficiency linking turns in variable backcountry snow.
If you have not used touring equipment and/or have not taken an avalanche awareness course, UMA offers introductory courses: Introduction to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding, Backcountry & Avalanche Skills (2-Day) and Avalanche Fundamentals.
This course includes 24 hours of lectures and field instruction; self-paced online modules, online Q&A with instructors, in-person tour planning and two full field days in the Wasatch backcountry. A mandatory pre-course module will be emailed to participants before the start of the course. Participants are expected to bring their own snacks, lunch and water (2 liters) for each field day.
SCHEDULES
MONDAY EVENING – WEDNESDAY (WEEKDAY COURSE)
Self-paced online module – produced by Mountain Training Center and taught by UMA instructors
Mon: 6:30 pm – 8 pm, Interactive Virtual Lecture and Q&A
Tue: 7:30 am – 2:30 pm, Backcountry Field Session
Tue: 3:30 pm – 5 pm, Tour planning session at UMA Office in Cottonwood Heights
Wed: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, Backcountry Field Session (full day tour)
FRIDAY EVENING – SUNDAY (WEEKEND COURSE)
Self-paced online module – produced by Mountain Training Center and taught by UMA instructors
Fri: 6:30 pm – 8 pm, Interactive Virtual Lecture and Q&A
Sat: 7:30 am – 2:30 pm, Backcountry Field Session
Sat: 3:30 pm – 5 pm, Tour planning session at UMA Office in Cottonwood Heights
Sun: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, Backcountry Field Session (full day tour)
Course Fees
Weekday Course: $599 plus tax
Weekend Course: $649 plus tax
Meeting Location
Participants are placed in groups of compatible experience and ability. Group requests are honored. 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.
GUIDE/INSTRUCTOR
Each guide/instructor will contact their group by email the day before the first field day. Please respond to this email so the guide knows it’s been received.
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.
How To Register
- Register Online
- Call us at (801) 550-3986
- Email us at uma@utahmountainadventures.com
Avalanche Level 1 COURSE EQUIPMENT LIST
- Non-cotton top and bottom base layer
- Puffy overcoat and/or other insulation layer (synthetic or down)
- Waterproof/windproof outer shell jacket and pants (or bibs)
- 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
- Alpine touring, telemark or snowboard boots
- Alpine touring, telemark skis or splitboard
- Ski poles with powder baskets
- Climbing skins
- Slope meter, snow saw and snowpit kit (optional)
- Beacon
- Shovel
- Probe
- Backpack (25-40 liters)
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 proud provider and member of the American Avalanche Association (A3). UMA teaches its own proprietary curriculum endorsed by A3 which oversees recreation and professional avalanche curricula in the US. There are no major differences between UMA and AIARE curricula and students can expect successful outcomes for both courses. A3 was the first body to govern avalanche education in the US, and remains at the core of innovation and oversight. UMA president, Julie Faure, sits on the A3 advisory board for avalanche education curriculum development. Graduates of UMA Level 1, Avalanche Rescue and Level 2 courses will receive a UMA/A3 Certificate of Completion.
Please see our main FAQ page for general questions or for anything not covered below.
What is the difference between Avalanche Fundamentals and Level I?
Avalanche Fundamentals is a 12-hr consisting of one 3-hour lecture and one 6 to 8-hour field day. Topics covered include beacon rescue, snow pits, route finding and group travel, among others. Avalanche Level 1 is a 24-hr course consisting of self-paced online modules, online Q&A with instructors, in-person tour planning and two full field days in the Wasatch backcountry, covering the same topics in much greater detail.
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 is recommended for those who are familiar with basic avalanche concepts through courses or personal learning. Typically taken after Avalanche Level 1 and is a prerequisite for Level 2. UMA’s Level 2 includes Avalanche Rescue in its 32-hr course.
If you have taken Level 1, but are rusty on the material, Avalanche Level 1 Refresher is a great review.
Who takes Level 2?
Avalanche Level 2 is for backcountry travelers wanting to lead and become decision makers. Avalanche Level 1 and substantial (2+ seasons) experience with backcountry travel are prerequisites.
