Avalanche Level 2

The Central Wasatch is home to arguably the best backcountry skiing in the world. Whether you are hunting for big lines, are new to the snowpack or want a deep dive into snow science, real-time decision making and diversifying your terrain selection, you are in the right place! UMA’s Recreational Avalanche Level 2 course is an invaluable experience that every backcountry tourer should take at some point in their backcountry career.

This course is 4 consecutive days, which includes an 8-hour companion rescue training field day. Forty percent of the course is classroom-based, while 60% is in the backcountry, in and around avalanche terrain. Depending on the conditions and state of the snowpack, participants can expect to explore more diverse terrain the Wasatch has to offer. 

UMA’s Avalanche Level 2 Course Curriculum

• Understanding weather and snowpack history, and current structure and layering
• Use of local avalanche advisory and other relevant available information
• Creating a hazard rating in remote terrain where no advisory exists
• Recognizing the scale of terrain, paths and specific features, and mapping snow cover
• Tour planning using maps, apps, timelines and safe margin
• Increased familiarity with the characteristics and distribution of the 7 primary avalanche problems
• Recognizing persistent weak layers (facets, depth hoar, surface hoar)
• An improved grasp of snowpack processes, metamorphism & stability tests
• Prioritizing snowpack tests and observations based on current problems
• Proficient snowpit practices: hardness, shears, tests (CT, ECT, PST, DTT)
• Interpretation of pit results (strength, structure, propagation)
• Clear and concise recording of snowpack and weather observations, SWAG guidelines and snow profiles
• Group management in complex, committing terrain and snowpacks
• Using best practices for group communication, teamwork and decision making
• Identifying and avoiding human factor traps

Max Student : Instructor Ratio

6 : 1

Why take my Rec Level 2 with UMA?

UMA guides have an accumulation of over thousands of hours in our local Wasatch backcountry, as well as other areas such as the Tetons, Sawtooths, Sierras, Cascades, Swiss Alps, Himalaya and many more. The range of expertise on UMA’s guide roster, paired with professional training and certification, is what sets UMA apart.

By attending this A3-certified Avalanche Level 2 course, you will start looking at the snow and its properties in a whole new light. Everything you touch or do in the snow will come to life and mean something more to you. This advanced course will encourage you to take more of a leadership role in on-the-go tests, snowpit analysis and decision making. In turn, instructors will coach you through practical tools and knowledge that they rely on to plan, travel, gather key snowpack information and make consequential decisions efficiently and effectively in avalanche terrain.

Course Prerequisites

• Avalanche Level 1 certification is required.
• At least 1 season of applying Level 1 knowledge is highly recommended.

Fitness & Skill Level

• This course requires sufficient fitness to travel 3,000′ uphill at altitudes of 7,000′ and above.
• You must be comfortable making downhill turns in variable snow conditions, unless using snowshoes.

This course includes 32 hours of mixed lectures and field sessions over 4 days. Guests are expected to bring their own snacks, lunch and water (1-2 liters per day). UMA does not provide transportation. We encourage carpooling to help mitigate traffic in the canyons and crowded parking areas.

SCHEDULE & MEETING LOCATION

Course times are listed below. Meeting locations are provided to registered guests 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.

THURSDAY – SUNDAY
Thu: 5:30 pm – 9 pm, Interactive Virtual Lecture
Fri: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm, Rescue Field Session
Fri: 5:30 pm – 9 pm, Interactive Virtual Lecture
Sat: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm, Field Session
Sun: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, Field Session

GUIDE/INSTRUCTOR

You will receive a reminder with the contact information for your guide/instructor. They will contact you directly by email 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 [email protected]

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

Avalanche Level 2 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 the American Avalanche Association (A3) curriculum, rather than AIARE; however, there are no major differences between what is taught. A3 was the first body to govern avalanche education in the US, and remains at the core of innovation and oversight. Graduates of UMA Level 1 and 2 courses will receive a Certificate of Completion.

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

Who takes Level 2?

Serious recreational backcountry skiers and snowboarders, mountaineers, ice climbers and snowshoers will enjoy the UMA Recreational Level 2 class. Level I, personal experience and Avalanche Rescue are prerequisites.

Ski patrollers, mountain guides, heli-ski guides, and other aspiring professional winter outdoor leaders should take the Pro Avi 2 (in which both Avalanche Level 1 Training and Avalanche Rescue are prerequisites).

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.