The Wasatch front is experiencing high avalanche danger this season, which is a good reminder that backcountry travelers need the knowledge and skills to stay alive in avalanche terrain. Backcountry skiing has exploded in the past few years, and in response it seems every ski resort, including Solitude, is hosting an avalanche awareness course. With several backcountry gates at resort boundaries, teaching newbie ski tourers how to travel safely out-of-bounds is now par for the course.
Solitude Mountain Resort will offer avalanche courses on December 19 and 20 and January 23 and 24. Members of the Solitude Ski Patrol and Snow Safety team will teach skiers and snowboarders how to travel responsibly and safely outside resort boundaries. These are two-day courses and should be a great introduction to avalanche assessment and rescue skills.
The courses will focus on identifying avalanche terrain, analyzing snow and weather factors, and managing group dynamics. The first day will consist of classroom style presentations with mountain guides, followed by time spent in the backcountry where the newly learned skills can be put to the test.
All participants in Solitude’s avalanche awareness course will have the option to use brand new Black Diamond touring setups, consisting of the Justice skis with Fritschi Freeride bindings and Ascension skins. The cost for a two day course is $399 per person.
For more information, call BackTracks at 801 536-5705 or visit www.solitudebacktracks.com to reserve your spot.
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