Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW)
Brought to you by the Utah Avalanche Center and
University of Utah Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
This year will be in person only at the University of Utah, Guest House.
Join us for the 17th Annual USAW, where Utah’s avalanche community will team up with snow professionals around the west to share avalanche knowledge. Regional avalanche workshops are the most time and cost-effective way to build and refresh advanced avalanche skills. This is your chance to learn from avalanche experts and brush up on your skills before the start of the season.
You’ll learn from forecasters, patrollers, snow scientists, highway avalanche crews, search & rescue personnel, mountain guides, ski industry manufacturers, backcountry skiers & snowboarders, snowmobilers, avalanche researchers, and more. The format will be 15-minute presentations followed by Q&A.
The General Session is hosted on December 7th from 4pm-7:30pm in-person.
Address: 110 Fort Douglas Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT 84113
Student Ticket:
Student tickets are available with a valid school ID shown at ticket pickup
Dec. 7th 16:00-20:00
Weather, snowpack, terrain, and us
16:00-16:05: Welcome back...- Craig Gordon, UAC
16:05-16:20: Winter Review- A video look back at weather and avalanche events that shaped the 2023-24 winter season
16:20-16:40: ENSO- Weather factors contributing to the 2023-24 winter season and what to look for with LaNina in the hopper- Mike Wessler, NWS
16:45-17:05: Seduced by snow: Navigating Decision Making in Wicked Learning Environments- A story-based lecture about how the allure of fresh powder, and limited feedback can cloud judgment in avalanche terrain- Sarah Petelinsek, MS2
17:10-17:30: How did I get here… and what have I learned?- Joey Manship talks about how he ended up in the avalanche world and lessons learned during his long journey of being smart in the backcountry- Joey Manship, Utah Avalanche Center and Inspired Summit Adventures
17:35-17:55 Essentials for Survival-From the basics to key Insights- McKinley Talty, Utah Avalanche Center
17:55-18:15 BREAK
When the Party Get Crashed
18:15-18:35 : The ABCs of after the Avalanche- A conversation on avalanche, first aid and resuscitation- TJ Hartridge, University of Utah and Snowbird along with Kayte Suslavich- Utah Emergency Physicians and Snowbird
18:40-19:00 Avalanche Safety Advice for a New Era-Six standard rules for avalanche safety have been with us for decades. But recent trends in fatalities suggest that an update is needed. - Ian McCammon
19:05-19:45 Big Wind, Big Water, Big Snow… Big Willow- Garage science intersects with emotional reality. The right tools needed to navigate an epic midwinter storm in May. Craig Gordon, UAC and Jess Shade, CMHC, M.Ed., MDiv Altura Counseling and Coaching
19:45 Closing remarks and high fives!