Utah Avalanche Center's Continuing Education Series
Please join us for a second year of advanced, discussion-based seminars designed for experienced backcountry travelers looking to deepen their avalanche knowledge. Each session will explore niche and often overlooked topics in avalanche safety, offering a space for in-depth conversations, critical thinking, and shared insights among seasoned backcountry travelers. This is not an introductory avalanche class; it’s an opportunity to challenge your assumptions, refine your decision-making, and engage with a community committed to continual learning.
- This is a 21-and-over event (You must bring your ID)
- When: January 11, 2027, 6-8 PM
- Where: Fisher Brewing
- Tickets: $15
This session is designed to help students better understand heuristic traps that influence group dynamics in the backcountry, particularly the “expert halo”. Join us to explore how human factors influence backcountry decision-making and how to manage them.
Over the past decade, the demographic of people getting caught in avalanches has shifted to include a more educated and experienced user group. Many of these victims had completed multiple avalanche courses, thoroughly understood the avalanche forecast, were skilled in creating efficient tour plans, and were well-versed in avalanche rescue techniques. Yet, these individuals still fell victim to the very hazards they sought to avoid. While many factors contribute, a common theme in modern-day avalanche accidents is the failure to account for uncertainty and to build margins for error into one’s risk management plan.
Format
Before You Commit: Speaking Up in Avalanche Terrain is a discussion-based seminar in which you will work in small groups, or “field partners”, to complete tabletop exercises simulating unique backcountry scenarios. Guided by professional avalanche educators, these exercises provide a safe environment for participants to examine and reflect on their perceived risk management skills.
Participants will be asked to complete a brief homework assignment (approximately 30 minutes) before the event. These assignments, sent upon registration, include reading a short research article and completing a brief questionnaire. We kindly ask all participants to complete the assignment in advance to help ensure a valuable learning experience for everyone.
Prerequisites
This seminar is designed for advanced backcountry recreationalists with at least 2 years of backcountry experience. To view our introductory avalanche courses, please check out the Know Before You Go awareness program and our on-snow avalanche classes.