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Accredited by the American Avalanche Association, this course meets national standards for avalanche awareness education. This is not a Recreational Level 1 course, but serves as a refresher for those who have previously taken an avalanche class.

Course Overview

Have you taken an on-snow avalanche course in the past but still aren’t sure how to plan a backcountry trip with confidence? Are you looking to refresh your avalanche skills with the most up-to-date research and protocols? Our Backcountry 201: Avalanche Refresher course builds on the skills you need to plan and execute a safe day in the backcountry while enjoying The Greatest Snow On Earth.

You’ll spend two full days on the snow and in the classroom focusing on the human factors of backcountry travel, group decision-making, and team-based tour planning. You’ll learn to interpret avalanche forecasts, analyze snowpack data, use weather and mapping tools to create tour plans, and apply professional planning techniques to real-world terrain.

After enrolling, you’ll get access to our Student Portal, which includes pre-course work, detailed course information, valuable resources, and more. In the first classroom session, we’ll review the pre-course material, dive into the current avalanche problems, and explore professional weather tools. On the first field day, you’ll assess snowpack across various aspects and elevations to understand local snow layering. That evening, your group will work with your instructor to create a trip plan for the final field day, where you’ll implement the plan, make ongoing snowpack observations, and practice safe travel techniques.

Who Should Take this Course?

This course is designed for individuals with prior backcountry experience and a foundational understanding of avalanche skills, including completion of a formal avalanche class. Participants should be familiar with their equipment and confident using it in the field. Intermediate to advanced downhill ability is required; you must be able to ride black diamond terrain in variable snow conditions. Competent riding is essential for safety, as there is no ski patrol to assist with evacuations. To get the most out of the course, you should be fit enough to hike uphill with skins and descend in unpredictable conditions.

What is Required for this Course?

You must provide your own skis or splitboard with alpine touring bindings and climbing skins. We do not allow snowshoes for this course. Please come prepared with your own avalanche rescue equipment (beacon/shovel/probe), and if you need to borrow these three items, please let us know so we can make arrangements.

Course Goals

• Understand how to utilize the avalanche forecast, public observations, and professional weather tools to plan a day in the backcountry.
• Learn how to clearly and concisely communicate snowpack information to your party.
• Identify avalanche terrain and non-avalanche terrain.
• Manage group dynamics to ensure safety in the mountains.
• Develop a process for formulating, communicating, and executing a trip plan.
• Understand advanced mapping techniques for backcountry travel.
• Learn how to become a valuable member of your backcountry party.

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.