intro to Avalanche Rescue with Utah Avalanche Center - Alta Business Employee

Field-Day January 7th, 2025 : 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 PM l $25

This class is subsidized by ACE. The normal cost is $100.

FOR ALTA BUSINESS EMPLOYEES ONLY. IE: Lodges, restaurants, ski area, etc

Avoidance is the best way not to get caught in an avalanche. However, accidents happen, and we all need to know what to do in the event of an avalanche burial. Avalanche rescue is difficult when your partner is buried, and you only have a few minutes to save their life. You cannot rely on search and rescue, ski patrol, outside rescue, or other groups to save your partner -- it’s up to you to have the skills to perform self-rescue.

Most of this course is based on snow practicing with your rescue equipment and going through rescue scenarios. With small student-to-instructor ratios, we ensure that each student receives individual coaching and feedback on their technique and the opportunity to run through multiple scenarios. You will receive about 2-hours of online learning material prior to class to help ensure that you are best prepared for your field session.

Who should take this course?

This class is for skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, timbers-sledders and snowbikers, hikers, snowshoers, and anyone who goes into the backcountry in the winter. This course is designed as an introductory rescue course for those new to the backcountry. It can also serve as a refresher for those not regularly practicing rescue skills or for someone looking to learn the most up-to-date rescue techniques and practices. 

Course Goals

• Be able to perform a full avalanche burial rescue in less than 10 minutes using proper techniques

• Wear & operate an avalanche transceiver.

• Perform a mock companion recovery of a  single and/or multiple burial search (dependent on personal experience level).

• Understand challenges involving multiple rescuers and learn basic group management & communication.

• Understand how to continue to practice and improve rescue skills.

• Knowledge of additional educational resources.

• Location of beacon training parks

What is required for this course?

This is an introductory level course and, therefore, can be your first avalanche education course. For this course, you are required to provide your own avalanche rescue equipment. You’ll need a modern 457 kHz Digital 3-Antenna beacon, a collapsable probe 280 cm or longer,  a solid collapsible metal shovel, and a backpack to carry your equipment.