Custom Avalanche Instruction & Education
UMA’s avalanche instructors and guides can teach avalanche safety skills on a private basis any day of the week that fits your schedule. Dig snowpits, perform stability tests, practice beacon search and rescue scenarios, travel up and downhill while employing avalanche-hazard mitigation procedures, and learn safe route-finding skills.
Custom or private guiding means you have a guide dedicated to you or your group rather than being in a class or clinic that is open to other guests. UMA’s outstanding avalanche guides and instructors are available daily to lead trips.
Many of our Custom Avalanche Instruction & Education participants do avalanche-oriented ski tours, enabling them to learn and apply skills under the tutelage of a professional. Ski touring partners often spend a day in the early season with a guide to refresh skills, make sure they are all on the same page and build trust in one another.
You can also get a group of friends and book a private Avalanche Level 1 to learn at your own pace and on your schedule. Private Level 1 courses include self-paced online modules produced by Mountain Training Center and UMA Guides/Instructors, a virtual lecture and Q&A, two field sessions and one tour planning session. A sample schedule is below and able to be customized to fit your needs.
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)
Have Questions or Concerns?
- Call us at (801) 550-3986
- Email us at uma@utahmountainadventures.com
Prerequisites
- No backcountry experience is necessary.
Skill Level & Fitness
- UMA can tailor custom guiding to your specific level, goals and time frame.
- Intermediate downhill ski ability and good fitness are required.
Private avalanche instruction takes place in either Big Cottonwood Canyon or Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City (expect to be in the field for 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 and locations should be discussed with your guide and depend on your objectives, preferences and where you are staying. The usual meeting time and place are 8 am at the Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon Park & Ride lots, or in the Cottonwood Canyons at your resort accommodations.
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 uma@utahmountainadventures.com
Avalanche & Backcountry Touring 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.
Private guiding is customized to your personal needs and requests.
Full Days Monday through Thursday (6-8 hours)
| 1 person | $595 / person |
| 2 people | $395 / person |
| 3 people | $325 / person |
| 4 people | $275 / person |
Full Days on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (6-8 hours)
| 1 person | $645 / person |
| 2 people | $425 / person |
| 3 people | $350 / person |
| 4 people | $295 / person |
- Rates above are per guide.
- Keep in mind that certain objectives can only be accomplished with a low ratio and more than one guide may be recommended based on group size.
- Surcharge may be applied for technical descents and longer days.
- The price of single-ride lift tickets is additional for lift-accessed tours.
- State and local taxes will be added.
- Gratuity is not included.
Please see the Avalanche Education section on our main FAQ page for common course questions.
