Avalanche Fundamentals - Level 1
Academic Noncredit
Practical skills for travel over mountain snow, avalanche causes, snow stability, decision making, terrain selection, and companion rescue. Level 1 certificate upon completion of course. No camping required.
This noncredit class meets with a regular University of Utah credit course. Students can purchase any assigned hardcopy textbooks through our Campus Bookstore.
Questions? Call Academic Programs at 801-585-9963 or use our online form.
Class Sections For Avalanche Fundamentals - Level 1 (PRTS 207)
Spring 2027 Section 1, Starting on: 01/12/2027
Learn practical skills for mountain snow travel, snow stability, decision making, terrain selection, avalanche causes, and companion rescue. You must be able to travel on backcountry skis/skins, splitboard, or snowshoes in variable snow conditions. We teach to the modern Recreational Avalanche Level 1 standards published by the American Avalanche Association. This course teaches practical skills for travel over mountain snow, avalanche causes, snow stability, decision-making, terrain selection, and companion rescue. This course teaches to the modern Recreational Avalanche Level 1 standards published by the American Avalanche Association. Students must be capable to travel in variable snow conditions in steep terrain with backcountry skis/skins, splitboard, or snowshoes. This course is a prerequisite for PRTS 1304, Backcountry Ski Wasatch, PRTS 1457 Backcountry Ski Guide, PRTS 2008 Avalanche Level II, and PRTS Online Session: First Half Meets With 2009, Avalanche Rescue. For questions, please contact Nate Furman at nate.furman@utah.edu. Class meets on-campus on Jan. 12 only. Attendance at first class meeting is mandatory. Field experience is Jan. 15-17. No camping. *Drops are not possible after the second day following the first class meeting.* To determine the last day to drop this miscellaneous course, see https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/miscellaneous.php . There may be additional expenses that students will need to cover to participate in this course. These items may include food, gear rentals, and transportation costs. More details will be made available during the pre-course meeting. THIS COURSE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE U OF U EMPLOYEE TUITION REDUCTION OR EMERITUS DISCOUNT BENEFITS
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/12/27 | T | 6:00 pm -9:00 pm | HPER NORTH 226 |
Instructor: BRETT GLASHEEN
Registration begins on Nov 05, 2026Spring 2027 Section 2, Starting on: 01/12/2027
Learn practical skills for mountain snow travel, snow stability, decision making, terrain selection, avalanche causes, and companion rescue. You must be able to travel on backcountry skis/skins, splitboard, or snowshoes in variable snow conditions. We teach to the modern Recreational Avalanche Level 1 standards published by the American Avalanche Association. This course teaches practical skills for travel over mountain snow, avalanche causes, snow stability, decision-making, terrain selection, and companion rescue. This course is a prerequisite for PRTS 1304, Backcountry Ski Wasatch, PRTS 1457 Backcountry Ski Guide, PRTS 2008 Avalanche Level 11, and PRTS 2009, Avalanche Rescue. For questions, please contact Nate Furman at nate furman@utah edu. Class meets on-campus on Jan 12 only. Attendance at first class meeting is mandatory. Field experience is Jan 22-24. No camping. *Drops are not possible after the second day following the first class meeting.* To determine the last day to drop this miscellaneous course, see https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/miscellaneous.php . There may be additional expenses that students will need to cover to participate in this course. These items may include food, gear rentals, and transportation costs. More details will be made available during the pre-course meeting. THIS COURSE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE U OF U EMPLOYEE TUITION REDUCTION OR EMERITUS DISCOUNT BENEFITS
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/12/27 | T | 6:00 pm -9:00 pm | HPER NORTH 225 |
Instructor: RYAN EMERY
Registration begins on Nov 05, 2026Spring 2027 Section 3, Starting on: 01/14/2027
Learn practical skills for mountain snow travel, snow stability, decision making, terrain selection, avalanche causes, and companion rescue. You must be able to travel on backcountry skis/skins, splitboard, or snowshoes in variable snow conditions. We teach to the modern Recreational Avalanche Level 1 standards published by the American Avalanche Association. This course teaches practical skills for travel over mountain snow, avalanche causes, snow stability, decision-making, terrain selection, and companion rescue. This course is a prerequisite for PRTS 1304, Backcountry Ski Wasatch, PRTS 1457 Backcountry Ski Guide, PRTS 2008 Avalanche Level 11, and PRTS 2009, Avalanche Rescue. For questions, please contact Nate Furman at nate.furman@utah.edu. Class meets on-campus on Jan. 14 only. Attendance at first class meeting is mandatory. Field experience is Jan. 22-24. No camping. *Drops are not possible after the second day following the first class meeting.* To determine the last day to drop this miscellaneous course, see https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/miscellaneous.php . There may be additional expenses that students will need to cover to participate in this course. These items may include food, gear rentals, and transportation costs. More details will be made available during the pre-course meeting. THIS COURSE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE U OF U EMPLOYEE TUITION REDUCTION OR EMERITUS DISCOUNT BENEFITS.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/14/27 | Th | 6:00 pm -9:00 pm | HPER NORTH 225 |
Instructor: OTTO LANG
Registration begins on Nov 05, 2026Spring 2027 Section 5, Starting on: 01/19/2027
Learn practical skills for mountain snow travel, snow stability, decision making, terrain selection, avalanche causes, and companion rescue. You must be able to travel on backcountry skis/skins, splitboard, or snowshoes in variable snow conditions. We teach to the modern Recreational Avalanche Level 1 standards published by the American Avalanche Association. This course teaches practical skills for travel over mountain snow, avalanche causes, snow stability, decision-making, terrain selection, and companion rescue. This course is a prerequisite for PRTS 1304, Backcountry Ski Wasatch, PRTS 1457 Backcountry Ski Guide, PRTS 2008 Avalanche Level 11, and PRTS 2009, Avalanche Rescue. For questions, please contact Nate Furman at nate.furman@utah.edu. Class meets on-campus on Jan. 19 only. Attendance at first class meeting is mandatory. Field experience is Feb. 5-7. No camping. *Drops are not possible after the second day following the first class meeting.* To determine the last day to drop this miscellaneous course, see https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/miscellaneous.php . There may be additional expenses that students will need to cover to participate in this course. These items may include food, gear rentals, and transportation costs. More details will be made available during the pre-course meeting. THIS COURSE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE U OF U EMPLOYEE TUITION REDUCTION OR EMERITUS DISCOUNT BENEFITS.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/19/27 | T | 6:00 pm -9:00 pm | HPER NORTH 226 |
Instructor: Staff
Registration begins on Nov 05, 2026Spring 2027 Section 4, Starting on: 01/20/2027
Learn practical skills for mountain snow travel, snow stability, decision making, terrain selection, avalanche causes, and companion rescue. You must be able to travel on backcountry skis/skins, splitboard, or snowshoes in variable snow conditions. We teach to the modern Recreational Avalanche Level 1 standards published by the American Avalanche Association. This course teaches practical skills for travel over mountain snow, avalanche causes, snow stability, decision-making, terrain selection, and companion rescue. This course is a prerequisite for PRTS 1304, Backcountry Ski Wasatch, PRTS 1457 Backcountry Ski Guide, PRTS 2008 Avalanche Level 11, and PRTS 2009, Avalanche Rescue.For questions, please contact Nate Furman at nate.furman@utah.edu. Class meets on-campus on Jan. 20 only. Attendance at first class meeting is mandatory. Field experience is Jan 29-31. No camping. *Drops are not possible after the second day following the first class meeting.* To determine the last day to drop this miscellaneous course, see https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/miscellaneous.php . There may be additional expenses that students will need to cover to participate in this course. These items may include food, gear rentals, and transportation costs. More details will be made available during the pre-course meeting. THIS COURSE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE U OF U EMPLOYEE TUITION REDUCTION OR EMERITUS DISCOUNT BENEFITS.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/20/27 | W | 6:00 pm -9:00 pm | HPER NORTH 226 |
Instructor: RYAN EMERY
Registration begins on Nov 05, 2026Spring 2027 Section 6, Starting on: 01/20/2027
Learn practical skills for mountain snow travel, snow stability, decision making, terrain selection, avalanche causes, and companion rescue. You must be able to travel on backcountry skis/skins, splitboard, or snowshoes in variable snow conditions. We teach to the modern Recreational Avalanche Level 1 standards published by the American Avalanche Association. This course teaches practical skills for travel over mountain snow, avalanche causes, snow stability, decision-making, terrain selection, and companion rescue. This course is a prerequisite for PRTS 1304, Backcountry Ski Wasatch, PRTS 1457 Backcountry Ski Guide, PRTS 2008 Avalanche Level II, and PRTS 2009, Avalanche Rescue. For questions, please contact Nate Furman at nate.furman@utah.edu. Class meets on-campus on Jan 20 only. Attendance at the first class meeting is mandatory. Field experience is 2/3, 2/10, 2/17. No camping. *Drops are not possible after the second day following the first class meeting.* To determine the last day to drop this miscellaneous course, see https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/miscellaneous.php . There may be additional expenses that students will need to cover to participate in this course. These items may include food, gear rentals, and transportation costs. More details will be made available during the pre-course meeting. THIS COURSE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE U OF U EMPLOYEE TUITION REDUCTION OR EMERITUS DISCOUNT BENEFITS.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/20/27 | W | 6:00 pm -9:00 pm | HPER NORTH 229 |
Instructor: NATHAN FURMAN
Registration begins on Nov 05, 2026Spring 2027 Section 9, Starting on: 01/21/2027
Learn practical skills for mountain snow travel, snow stability, decision making, terrain selection, avalanche causes, and companion rescue. You must be able to travel on backcountry skis/skins, splitboard, or snowshoes in variable snow conditions. We teach to the modern Recreational Avalanche Level 1 standards published by the American Avalanche Association. This course teaches practical skills for travel over mountain snow, avalanche causes, snow stability, decision-making, terrain selection, and companion rescue. This course is a prerequisite for PRTS 1304, Backcountry Ski Wasatch, PRTS 1457 Backcountry Ski Guide, PRTS 2008 Avalanche Level II, and PRTS 2009, Avalanche Rescue. For questions, please contact Nate Furman at nate.furman@utah.edu.Class meets on-campus on January 21 only. Attendance at the first class meeting is mandatory. Field experience is Feb 4, 11, 18. No camping. *Drops are not possible after the second day following the first class meeting.* To determine the last day to drop this miscellaneous course, see https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/miscellaneous.php . There may be additional expenses that students will need to cover to participate in this course. These items may include food, gear rentals, and transportation costs. More details will be made available during the pre-course meeting. THIS COURSE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE U OF U EMPLOYEE TUITION REDUCTION OR EMERITUS DISCOUNT BENEFITS.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/21/27 | Th | 6:00 pm -9:00 pm | HPER NORTH 225 |
Instructor: NATHAN FURMAN
Registration begins on Nov 05, 2026Spring 2027 Section 7, Starting on: 01/26/2027
Learn practical skills for mountain snow travel, snow stability, decision making, terrain selection, avalanche causes, and companion rescue. You must be able to travel on backcountry skis/skins, splitboard, or snowshoes in variable snow conditions. We teach to the modern Recreational Avalanche Level 1 standards published by the American Avalanche Association. This course teaches practical skills for travel over mountain snow, avalanche causes, snow stability, decision-making, terrain selection, and companion rescue. This course is a prerequisite for PRTS 1304, Backcountry Ski Wasatch, PRTS 1457 Backcountry Ski Guide, PRTS 2008 Avalanche Level II, and PRTS 2009, Avalanche Rescue. For questions, please contact Nate Furman at nate.furman@utah.edu.Class meets on-campus on January 26 only. Attendance at the first class meeting is mandatory. Field experience is Feb 9, 16, 23. No camping. *Drops are not possible after the second day following the first class meeting.* To determine the last day to drop this miscellaneous course, see https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/miscellaneous.php . There may be additional expenses that students will need to cover to participate in this course. These items may include food, gear rentals, and transportation costs. More details will be made available during the pre-course meeting. THIS COURSE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE U OF U EMPLOYEE TUITION REDUCTION OR EMERITUS DISCOUNT BENEFITS.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/26/27 | T | 6:00 pm -9:00 pm | HPER NORTH 226 |
Instructor: WILLIAM AMBLER
Registration begins on Nov 05, 2026Spring 2027 Section 8, Starting on: 01/27/2027
Learn practical skills for mountain snow travel, snow stability, decision making, terrain selection, avalanche causes, and companion rescue. You must be able to travel on backcountry skis/skins, splitboard, or snowshoes in variable snow conditions. We teach to the modern Recreational Avalanche Level 1 standards published by the American Avalanche Association. This course teaches practical skills for travel over mountain snow, avalanche causes, snow stability, decision-making, terrain selection, and companion rescue. This course is a prerequisite for PRTS 1304, Backcountry Ski Wasatch, PRTS 1457 Backcountry Ski Guide, PRTS 2008 Avalanche Level II, and PRTS 2009, Avalanche Rescue. For questions, please contact Nate Furman at nate.furman@utah.edu. Class meets on-campus on Jan. 27 only. Attendance at first class meeting is mandatory. Field experience is Feb 12-14. No camping. *Drops are not possible after the second day following the first class meeting.* To determine the last day to drop this miscellaneous course, see https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/miscellaneous.php . PLEASE CONTACT CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. There may be additional expenses that students will need to cover to participate in this course. These items may include food, gear rentals, and transportation costs. More details will be made available during the pre-course meeting. THIS COURSE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE U OF U EMPLOYEE TUITION REDUCTION OR EMERITUS DISCOUNT BENEFITS.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/27 | W | 6:00 pm -9:00 pm | HPER NORTH 229 |
Instructor: SAMUEL HOFFMAN
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Questions? Call Academic Programs at 801-585-9963 or use our online form.
