Avalanche Awareness Classes
The shadow side of Utah's having "The Greatest Snow on Earth" is that it also has its share of avalanches. Over 1.5 million people in Utah live adjacent to some of the most dangerous and easily accessible avalanche terrain in the United States. When it comes to avalanche preparation, you need to "know before you go."
Wasatch Powderbird Guides offers a limited number of avalanche awareness classes. We'll watch videos and slideshows on avalanches, terrain selection and backcountry safety at our heliport in Little Cottonwood Canyon, then we'll hop in a helicopter and fly into the backcountry to learn the art of snow science, digging snow pits and identifying snow layers. After our work is done in the field, it's time for some fun: we will ski or snowboard down to the road where our van will be waiting to take us back to the heliport. Students do not need to have any previous backcountry experience but we suggest you be intermediate or advanced level skier. We will supply avalanche transceivers if you do not have your own.
Please bring the following items:
- Ski or snowboard equipment
- Warm Clothing and Gloves
- Small notebook and pencil
- Small Pack
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Water
- Lunch
Optional:
- Avalanche shovel
- Snow Saw
- Avalanche Transceiver
Please note: this class is a not a certification class. It is a refresher or intro course to avalanche awareness. If you are interested in taking an Avalanche Certification Course please visit www.avalanche.org to find a class near you.
$100 per person
This class offers an introduction to avalanche awareness or can serve as a refresher course.
