What you get in this adventure: Expansive self-paced online learning course developed with the American Alpine Institute Live virtual seminar with expert Wasatch Mountain Guides instructors Two private in-depth field days in the backcountry What’s not included: Technical backcountry ski touring equipment Trip insurance Food and snacks Transportation

How fit do I need to be?

In order to get the most out of this course, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. For the two field-days, you will be in the backcountry for eight hours each day practicing skills and safety rescue. All participants should feel comfortable on blue level resort runs, be able to manage controlled descents, and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain. Prerequisites: You need to be at least an intermediate skier seeing as you’ll need to be able to ascend moderate slopes using skins. All participants should be comfortable traveling in snow while carrying touring gear. You should also have an average level of fitness.

What do I need to bring?

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring: Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented) Touring boots and poles (can be rented) Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented): Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon Lightweight snow shovel Avalanche probe For personal items, we recommend bringing: Helmet Headlamp Sunglasses Ski goggles Warm hat Sun hat Buff Lightweight gloves (for uphill) Midweight gloves Heavyweight gloves (for downhill) Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks Lightweight base layer top Lightweight fleece jacket Softshell jacket with hood Puffy jacket with hood Lightweight baselayer Bottom softshell pants Ski straps (rubber voile style) Ski crampons (sized to fit your ski width and binding type) Water bottle and 1L of water Thermos with a warm beverage — optional Food you can eat on-the-go First-aid kit Blister kit Sunscreen and lip balm (SPF 50+) Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack) Camera — optional

Can I rent equipment?

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent: Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe may be rented from your guide if needed Alpine touring or telemark skis and poles may be rented from Voile Retail Store Splitboards can be rented from Voile Retail Store Touring boots and helmets can be rented from Christy Sports Ski rental locations are in Salt Lake City and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For this avalanche training course, the max client to guide ratio is 4:1. Cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows. Avalanche Courses in Wasatch Mountains can be arranged for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements and get 10% off for all private groups of 4 people. Min. age requirements: Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this backcountry skiing adventure. Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to join with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Cottonwood Canyons in the Wasatch Mountains, most people fly into Salt Lake City International Airport. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle to the Canyons. SLC is less than 30 minutes away from the Big and Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lots. Utah Transit Authority (UTA) offers Ski Bus with trips going up and down Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon each day. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your backcountry field-days, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. The usual meeting points are Big or Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lot, Alta or Brighton depending on the best conditions for learning. From there, you’ll head to your course.

Covid measures in Wasatch Mountains

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Wasatch Mountains, please refer to the State of Utah official website. Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

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AAI Hybrid Avalanche Course Cottonwood Canyons

Salt Lake City | Utah

AAI Level 1 Hybrid Avalanche Course in Cottonwood Canyons

2 days | 5.00

From $590 ()

Spend enough time in the backcountry and chances are, you will eventually encounter an avalanche. When that occurs, proper avalanche response training is critical to safety. Get prepared with this comprehensive Hybrid Level 1 Avalanche Course that combines both theory and practical knowledge. This course is developed to the high standards of the American Alpine Institute and delivered by trusted, certified instructors. You’ll complete the online learning at your own pace and then put your knowledge to the test with two hands-on field days in Cottonwoods Canyons. This course is ideal for anyone looking to develop essential backcountry safety skills and for those who may have already taken a Level 1 avy course, but would like a refresher on existing skills.

Adventure Highlights

Combines self-paced online course with two days in the field
Apply your learning in the real world and perfect new skills just outside of Salt Lake City
Proper avalanche response is critical to safety during your winter outdoor adventures

Duration

2 days

Season

December through March

Group size

Up to 4 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

If you plan to go into the backcountry, you need to know how to identify avalanche terrain, mitigate the associated risks, and know how to properly use your avalanche gear. This Level 1 course developed by the American Alpine Institute will help you stay as safe as possible in the backcountry. After a self-paced expansive online course, join your expert local guides in Cottonwood Canyons for the weekend and during two field days, upgrade your preparedness and avalanche response skills.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

This Hybrid Level 1 Avalanche Course is split into two components: the self-paced online learning component and the two-day field component. Once you register and pay, your online coursework can begin. Upon completion of the online component, you will then spend two-days in the backcountry with your instructors.

This digital course was developed by the American Avalanche Institute (AAI) and is framed around the Backcountry Avalanche Checklist. This Checklist is a systemic and proven approach to comprehensive decision-making in a complex backcountry environment. You work at your own pace and your guides will be available to respond to questions via email at all times.

The evening before your first outing, you will meet your guide via video conference call to answer any questions and ensure you are packed and ready. Field days will be two consecutive eight-hour days based in Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon. Together with your guide, you’ll cover an exhaustive set of avalanche preparedness skills.

The expansive online course includes:

- Instructional videos
- Extensive workbook with note outlines
- In-Depth Online Study Guide
- Comprehensive Quizzes

Field days include:

- Terrain assessment
- Safe travel
- Snowpack and weather
- Tour planning
- Field ops
- Stability test use and interpretation
- Rescue (beacon search, probing techniques, strategic shoveling and more)

Alpine environments can be hazardous for those unprepared — it’s necessary for any backcountry skier or mountaineer to be aware of the dangers and know how to prepare for all possible situations. This Hybrid Level 1 Course will give you those skills. The online course was developed with the American Alpine Institute, which you work through at your own pace, before spending two private backcountry field days in the Cottonwood Canyons with experienced, certified guides from Wasatch Mountain Guides. Learn the basics about avalanche safety, gear and rescue, and prepare yourself for exciting adventures ahead!

Here’s what you’ll learn:

The expansive online course includes:

- Instructional videos
- Extensive workbook with note outlines
- In-Depth Online Study Guide
- Comprehensive Quizzes

Field days include:

- Terrain assessment
- Safe travel
- Snowpack and weather
- Tour planning
- Field ops
- Stability test use and interpretation
- Rescue (beacon search, probing techniques, strategic shoveling and more)

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Let’s build something unique. Design your own adventure from the ground up and let us handle the rest.

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AAI Hybrid Avalanche Level 1 Course in Wasatch Mountains

Adventure, packed to go

AAI Level 1 Hybrid Avalanche Course in Cottonwood Canyons

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

Download to share and explore full itineraries, key info, FAQs, and guide details.

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Willie Benegas

IFMGA mountain guide

Based out of Sandy, Utah, his home in the Wasatch Mountains, Willie is the co-founder of Benegas Brothers Expeditions. He’s an IFMGA Mountain Guide, AMGA Ski Mountaineering Guide and has been to the summit of Mount Everest 13 times. With a stack of accomplishments too long to list, if you’re looking for someone to guide you on the mountain, there’s no person more qualified or experienced than Willie.

5.00

Wasatch Mountain Guides

WMG is dedicated to demonstrating its passionate commitment to workplace sustainability, its deep-held understanding and love for nature, and a dedication to protecting the wilderness areas we all visit is taught on each and every WMG adventure.

5.00

Todd Passey

IFMGA/AMGA Rock, Alpine and Ski Guide

Originally from Utah, Todd is a highly accomplished guide with an IFMGA certification along with certifications from the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) as a Rock Guide, Alpine Guide, and Ski Mountaineering Guide. Todd's extensive guiding experience spans numerous countries and all 7 continents. One of Todd's notable achievements is successfully ascending all Seven Summits, including Kilimanjaro in Africa (1 time), Elbrus in Europe (4 times), Aconcagua in South America (2 times), Denali in North America (22 times), Carstensz in Oceania (7 times), Vinson in Antarctica (24 times), and Everest in Asia (2 times). Currently, Todd Passey resides in Utah's Wasatch Mountains.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (1 review)

Meg C.

|January 2024

Show all reviews

Things to know

What you get in this adventure:
- Expansive self-paced online learning course developed with the American Alpine Institute
- Live virtual seminar with expert Wasatch Mountain Guides instructors
- Two private in-depth field days in the backcountry
What’s not included:
- Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
- Trip insurance
- Food and snacks
- Transportation
In order to get the most out of this course, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. For the two field-days, you will be in the backcountry for eight hours each day practicing skills and safety rescue. All participants should feel comfortable on blue level resort runs, be able to manage controlled descents, and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

Prerequisites: You need to be at least an intermediate skier seeing as you’ll need to be able to ascend moderate slopes using skins. All participants should be comfortable traveling in snow while carrying touring gear. You should also have an average level of fitness.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
- Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
- Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
- Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
  - Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
  - Lightweight snow shovel
  - Avalanche probe
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- Helmet
- Headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Ski goggles
- Warm hat
- Sun hat
- Buff
- Lightweight gloves (for uphill)
- Midweight gloves
- Heavyweight gloves (for downhill)
- Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
- Lightweight base layer top
- Lightweight fleece jacket
- Softshell jacket with hood
- Puffy jacket with hood
- Lightweight baselayer
- Bottom softshell pants
- Ski straps (rubber voile style)
- Ski crampons (sized to fit your ski width and binding type)
- Water bottle and 1L of water
- Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- First-aid kit
- Blister kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm (SPF 50+)
- Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
- Camera — optional
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All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
- Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe may be rented from your guide if needed
- Alpine touring or telemark skis and poles may be rented from Voile Retail Store
- Splitboards can be rented from Voile Retail Store
- Touring boots and helmets can be rented from Christy Sports
Ski rental locations are in Salt Lake City and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
Group sizes and prices:
- For this avalanche training course, the max client to guide ratio is 4:1.
- Cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
Avalanche Courses in Wasatch Mountains can be arranged for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements and get 10% off for all private groups of 4 people.

Min. age requirements:
- Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this backcountry skiing adventure.
- Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.
If you plan to join with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Cottonwood Canyons in the Wasatch Mountains, most people fly into Salt Lake City International Airport. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle to the Canyons. SLC is less than 30 minutes away from the Big and Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lots. Utah Transit Authority (UTA) offers Ski Bus with trips going up and down Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon each day.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your backcountry field-days, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. The usual meeting points are Big or Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lot, Alta or Brighton depending on the best conditions for learning. From there, you’ll head to your course.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Wasatch Mountains, please refer to the State of Utah official website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
Deposits

Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

Basic
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Super Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.

Have more questions?

Our team is here to answer your questions and plan with you.

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