Avalanche Level 1 Refresher

Our Avalanche Level 1 Refresher is well worth the cost and time. Whether you just had your Level 1 avalanche training last season, you’re new to the Wasatch snowpack, you want more hands-on practice or it’s simply been a while, this refresher course is for you! Refreshing your skills regularly is a great way to stay up-to-date on industry-leading research and best practices. In addition, it’s an efficient, affordable, compact overview of key Level 1 concepts, snowpack tests and analysis.

By attending this Avalanche Level 1 Refresher, you will get a chance to methodize your systems in the company of professional backcountry guides. In turn, you will exercise the decision-making skills learned in your Level 1 avi training in the field. In addition, guides will act as mentors as you take the reins on formulating the day’s tour plans and monitor how you choose to evaluate the snowpack via tests, observations, etc.

UMA’s Avalanche Level 1 Refresher Course Curriculum

• Review of the types of avalanche problems and how to treat them
• Understanding the scale of terrain, paths and specific features, and mapping snow cover
• Relating current structure and layering in the snowpack to realistic tour planning
• Review of snow surface changes, metamorphism and formation of Persistent Weak Layers (facets, depth hoar, surface hoar)
• Understanding and correct use of most current snowpit practices: hardness, shears, tests (CT, ECT, PST, DTT)
• Effective interpretation of test results (strength, structure, propagation, red lights, lemons)
• Prioritizing snowpack tests and observations based on current snowpack issues
• Applying tests, terrain selection and decision-making skills to current avalanche problems
• Use of safe travel protocols and communication to mitigate human factor risks (group size, diversity and goals)
• Awareness of best backcountry practices in up and downhill travel and etiquette

Max Student : Instructor Ratio

6 : 1

Why take a refresher?

As professional mountain guides, we understand the value of continuing education and feedback. It’s important to seek constructive criticism and professional instruction as you evolve in your backcountry career.

Join our broadly-experienced, highly-trained instructors in your mission to maintain current avalanche skills. We will share the practical tools we use to make consequential up and downhill route-finding decisions efficiently. Our focus for this refresher course is on information-gathering in the field, appropriate terrain selection and effective decision-making for Level 1 graduates.

Course Prerequisites

• An Avalanche Level 1 Certificate is required.

Fitness & Skill Level

• You must have the ability to climb ~2000 vertical feet in half a day at a steady pace.
• You should be comfortable, confident and in control making linked turns in variable snow, soft snow, trees and bowls.
• Backcountry travel experience is highly recommended.

This is a full-day course that includes spending 8 hours in the field. 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

This course typically starts around 7:30 am. Exact meeting time and location are provided to registered guests before the course date. All UMA 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

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 1 Refresher 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. 

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.

Who takes Level 2?

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