Dates and Times:
- January 22, 2027: 6:00 - 8:00 PM virtual classroom session
- January 23, 2027: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM field day
Accredited by the American Avalanche Association, this course meets national standards for avalanche awareness education.
Course Overview
Taking your first steps into the backcountry can feel intimidating, but an on-snow avalanche course is one of the best ways to reduce your risk. The UAC’s Backcountry 101 is designed to teach the fundamentals of avalanche safety through hands-on learning and real-world application.
This course covers avalanche rescue, snowpack assessment, safe travel protocols, and the weather resources used by professionals. Whether it’s your first avalanche course or a refresher of previous training, Backcountry 101 provides a solid foundation for safer mountain travel.
The course includes a 2-hour evening classroom session, an 8-hour on-snow field day, pre-course work, and access to ongoing learning resources. After enrolling, you’ll gain access to our Student Portal, which includes course materials, avalanche resources, and planning tools. During the classroom session, we’ll review your pre-course work and introduce professional trip-planning strategies. In the field, you’ll practice rescue techniques, assess the snowpack through on-the-go observations and snowpit analysis, apply terrain management skills, and more.
Who Should Take this Course?
This course is designed for snowmobilers and snowbikers taking their first on-snow avalanche class or looking to refresh previous training. Intermediate to advanced riding ability is required; you should be comfortable riding in variable snow conditions. We strongly recommend prior experience with your rescue equipment, including switching your transceiver between send and receive modes and assembling your probe and shovel. These skills can be practiced at home or in non-avalanche terrain.
What is Required for this Course?
This introductory-level avalanche course can be your first on-snow avalanche class, but you must bring your own snowmobile or snowbike. Please bring your own avalanche rescue gear (transceiver, shovel, and probe). If you need to borrow any of these items, let us know in advance so we can make arrangements.
Course Goals
- Find and interpret local mountain weather forecasts and avalanche advisory information.
- Recognize signs of instability through both snowpit observations and on-the-go assessments.
- Understand how to use avalanche rescue equipment effectively.
- Differentiate avalanche terrain from non-avalanche terrain.
- Develop a fundamental process for managing risk during backcountry travel.
Cancellation policy
Our cancellation policy can be found here. If you have any questions, please email education@utahavalanchecenter.org
Winter Weather and Avalanche Hazard Policy
In the event of extreme winter weather and/or dangerous avalanche conditions, the UAC reserves the right to reschedule courses to maintain the safety of our students and instructors. If a course needs to be rescheduled, we will work with students to find the best rescheduled date and refund students who are unable to attend.