WASATCH BACKCOUNTRY SKIING COURSES
Avalanche Safety and Ski Touring Instruction in Utah's Wasatch Range
Level I - Avalanche Safety - AAI
(Low Ratio)
​
This practical-application based Level I avalanche course is designed specifically for recreational skiers looking to ski tour safely in the backcountry. Our course offers two full fields days at a low (4:1 max. Student:Instructor ratio) to facilitate learning and model appropriate touring group sizes. To maximize time in the field, material is introduced to students with a robust self-guided online learning module provided by the American Avalanche Institute, designed to be completed prior to the start of the course. This Level I is run by AMGA Certified Ski Guides, and with this training (the highest level of training available for ski guides in the world) we can provide insight and a level of safety that may be missed on other courses.
Course includes:
- American Avalanche Institute online curriculum (season access)
- 2 Eight hour field day sessions
- 4:1 Low-ratio field instruction
- 2hr Zoom prior to field days, 1hr Zoom to conclude course
- Course and field sessions run by AMGA Certified Ski Guide
- Course sanctioned by American Avalanche Association
​
Learning Outcomes:
-Interpret and implement avalanche forecasts
-Identify avalanche terrain and safely move through the backcountry
-Communicate more effectively with your partners
-Preform an avalanche rescue
-Plan and execute an appropriate ski tour for a given day
-Assess conditions in the field, including the use of snow pits and stability tests
​
23/24 Wasatch (Cottonwood Canyons):
​
12/01-12/02 (A)
12/06-12/07 (A)
12/27-12/28 (A)
1/3-1/4 (A)
1/08-1/09 (A)
​
2hr Zoom 7pm evening prior to each course A-Section, 1hr Zoom 530pm last day of each section of the course )
​
Rates:
$645pp
​
​
Trip Duration: (2) 8hr Field Days, 2hr Zoom, 1hr Zoom, 7 hrs Online Learning
Field Group Ratio: 4:1 max
​
Prerequisites:
Advanced ski or snowboarding ability
Good Fitness- Ability to skin a minimum of 1500' at a moderate pace per day
​
​
​
​
YURT BASED - Level I - Avalanche Safety - AAI
(4 Day/3 Night)
​
This is the same curriculum as the normal Level I but based from an overnight yurt in the mountains and with more field time. To get a better feel of what a yurt offers see our guided yurt trip offerings.
​
Course includes:
- American Avalanche Institute online curriculum (season access)
- 4 Eight hour field day sessions
- 4:1 Low-ratio field instruction
- 1hr Zoom 7pm evening prior to field days
- Course and field sessions run by AMGA Certified Ski Guide
- Course sanctioned by American Avalanche Association
- Instruction at 4:1 ratio
- Accommodation at Yurt
- Meals
​
23/24 Dates:
​
2/06/24-2/09/24 (Bunchgrass Yurt, Logan Canyon)
1hr Zoom 7pm evening prior to each course
​
Rates:
$1475pp
YURT BASED - Level 2 - Avalanche Safety - AAI
(4 Day/3 Night)
​
This course is designed to take experienced backcountry skiers to the next level with their real-world ski touring skills with the added bonus of operating out of an overnight yurt! To get a better feel of what a yurt offers see our guided yurt trip offerings.
Whereas in LI the focus is on interpreting a forecast and being introduced to fundamental skills, in L2 students learn to forecast and put the wheels in motion themselves, gathering observational data to verify their hypotheses. Route selection, field observational techniques and decision making highlight the field days, while risk analysis, forecasting trends in stability, planning and debrief fill evening conversation.
Our course offers four full fields days at a low (4:1 maximum Student:Instructor ratio) to facilitate learning and model appropriate touring group sizes. To maximize time in the field, material is introduced to students with a robust self-guided online learning module provided by the American Avalanche Institute, designed to be completed prior to the start of the course. This course is run by AMGA Certified Ski Guides, and with this training (the highest level of training available for ski guides in the world) we can provide insight and a level of safety that may be missed on other courses.
Course includes:
- American Avalanche Institute online curriculum (season access)
- 4 Eight hour field day sessions
- 4:1 Low-ratio field instruction
- 1hr Zoom 7pm evening prior to field days
- Course and field sessions run by AMGA Certified Ski Guide
- Course sanctioned by American Avalanche Association
- Instruction at 4:1 ratio
- Accommodation at Yurt
- Meals
​
Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to track season history
- Understand weak layer formation and implications
- Generate and implement avalanche forecasts
- Greater understanding of the nuanced nature of terrain
- Make better decisions - Solutions to human factor influences
- Greater understanding of stability
- Communicate more effectively with your partners
- Plan and execute an appropriate ski tour for a given day
- Assess conditions in the field efficiently, including the use of snow pits and stability tests, but also in a real-world context
​
23/24 Dates:
​
2/19/24-2/22/24 (Bunchgrass Yurt, Logan Canyon)
1hr Zoom 7pm evening prior to each course
​
Rates:
$1475pp
​
​
Trip Duration: (4) 8hr Field Days, 1hr Zoom, 7 hrs Online Learning
Field Group Ratio: 4:1 max
​
Prerequisites
Level I Avalanche Safety
Advanced ski or snowboarding ability
Good Fitness- Ability to skin a minimum of 3500' at a moderate pace per day
​
​
Backcountry Skiing 101
​
In this single field day basic backcountry skiing instructional clinic we teach you the basics to get you started moving about the mountains. We will try to get some good turns in too!
​
Topics Include:
-How to use skins and alpine touring equipment/split-board to go up and down the mountain efficiently
-How to use basic avalanche safety equipment
-How to interpret an avalanche forecast
-How to recognize avalanche terrain
-How to plan a basic trip
-How to choosing appropriate equipment
-How to deal with an emergency
-Constructing an emergency shelter
Prerequisite:
Advanced ski or snowboarding ability
Moderate to good fitness
​
Course includes Zoom based evening session at 7pm day prior to the posted field day date
​
Available: 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15
Trip Duration: 6-8hrs
Minimum Group Size: 1
Student/Instructor Ratio: 5:1
​
Rates:
​
$235pp
