Learn Winter Camping Skills while Earning your Avalanche Level 1 Certification
Our unique course combines both travel and risk management for 3 days in backcountry avalanche terrain as well as 2 nights of winter camping. This is a great introduction to winter camping and we will provide our best tips and tricks for safely and comfortably winter camping in the backcountry. All while you earn your Level 1 Certification!
Sleeping bags, pads, and tents are available for rent. Your guide will provide stove and cooking utensils. A gear list will be sent upon booking. You will need a backpack large enough to carry your avalanche gear, water, food for three days, extra clothing, plus more. Backpack, avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe are also available for rent. You will be required to bring your own food, but the guide will coordinate a meal plan with you.
Course Details:
- Self-Paced Online Learning Module via the American Avalanche Institute
- Live Virtual Seminar with Expert WMG Instructors (the evening before your first field day)
- Three In-Depth Field Days in the Backcountry
- 1 overnight winter camping experience (2 nights)
- Avalanche Level 1 certification upon full completion
- Avalanche beacon, shovel, probe, and backpack (if needed)
- A minimum of 2 students in order for the course to occur
- If you are seeking a private course for more than 4 individuals, please contact us directly
The Field Days:
Our field days of backcountry travel will be three consecutive days based in the Provo or Salt Lake area mountains, with overnight camping for 2 nights.
Day 1: We will begin early in the morning with all our gear, hike to our campsite, drop our gear and set up tents, resume our avalanche education, return to the campsite, prepare dinner and discuss winter camping skills. We then tuck in for bed and sleep cozy!
Day 2: We wake up, prepare breakfast, prepare water for the day, set out for further avalanche education, return to camp later afternoon. Then we socialize and enjoy each other's company for an evening!
Day 3: We wake up, prepare breakfast, prepare water for the day, set out for further avalanche education, return to camp to break down tents, etc., and then ski/hike out before dark. Expect to be at the trailhead no later than 4:30 PM.
We’ll cover an exhaustive set of avalanche preparedness and winter camping skills, including:
- Tour planning
- Snowpack and weather observations and assessment
- Terrain assessment
- Safe travel
- Field observations
- Stability tests and assessment
- Rescue skills and drills
- Companion rescue
- Team structure and roles
- Avalanche response and steps
- Beacon search
- Probing techniques
- Strategic shoveling
- Plus more
- Winter camping skills:
- Identifying safe and comfotable camping zones
- Preparing the ground area for your tent
- How to get and stay dry, how to dry wet clothing, socks, etc.
- Cooking in cold environments
- How to prepare water
- How to sleep warm and cozy
- Proper tent ventilation
- Tips and tricks for waking up in the cold, preparing for a backcounty tour
- Proper human waste management
- Plus more!
How it Works:
Once you have paid and registered, you’ll receive access to an expansive online coursecontaining:
- Instructional videos
- Extensive workbook with note outlines
- In-depth online study guide
- Comprehensive quizzes
This digital course was developed by the American Avalanche Institute and is framed around the Backcountry Avalanche Checklist. This Checklist is a systemic and proven approach to comprehensive decision-making in the complex backcountry environment.
The course material can be completed at your leisure but must be completed before your field days. The WMG team will be available to respond to questions via email at all times. Participants can go back and review course material even after the completion of the course, for the duration of the 2023-24 winter season.
As mentioned, the course includes two field days in the backcountry. The evening before your first field day, we’ll meet with with everyone for two hours via video conference to review core curriculum, answer any questions you have, and make sure you’re packed and ready.
Dates:
- See the calendar for available courses.
Not what you're looking for? Check out our other backcountry ski/snowboard and avalanche education courses:
We do offer these courses in the Provo area. All courses can be private as well, just email or contact us if interested.
- Avalanche Rescue Course (American Avalanche Institute certification)
- 1-Day Introduction to Backcountry Skiing/Snowboarding Course
- 2-Day Backcountry Skiing/Snowboarding Essentials Course
Our permit area is located in the UNITA-WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FOREST. We are not permitted to guide in the Mount Timpanogos and Lone Peak Wilderness areas. All guiding on Mount Timpanogos is outside marked Wilderness.
