Backcountry ski season is almost here (for some it’s already upon us.) That means it’s time to start thinking about avalanches, specifically avalanche avoidance. Do yourself a favor and attend the 11th Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW).
This year USAW returns to Sandy at the Mountain America Expo Center. Over a thousand skiers, splitboarders, and snowmobilers are expected to attend. Professionals and athletes alike will gather to hear the latest in avalanche forecasting and knowledge, listen to stories about close calls and tragedy, and be uplifted by the prospect of a fun and safe season ahead.
According to the Utah Avalanche Center, this is the only avalanche workshop in Utah addressing snow science, decision-making, the changing backcountry, and lessons learned from recent accidents. You’ll learn from and network with forecasters, patrollers, snow scientists, highway avalanche crews, search & rescue personnel, mountain guides, ski industry manufacturers, backcountry skiers & snowboarders, snowmobilers, avalanche researchers, and more.
The format will be 15-minute presentations followed by Q&A. There will be sponsor booths with the latest gear and gear giveaways.
Last year, USAW sold out, so don’t wait to get your tickets. Pre-registration closes on Wednesday, October 24th at noon. After that, you can get tickets for $55 at the door. Lunch, coffee/beverage service, and post-workshop happy hour are included.
Open Session Schedule of Events
07:15-07:45: Open Session Registration
08:00-08:05: Welcome
08:05-08:20: Winter Weather Forecasting- A glance under the hood Glen Merrill- National Weather Service
08:25-08:45: ISSW Recap- A review of few key presentations from the 2018 ISSW in Innsbruck with a focus on human factors and decision-making- Greg Gagne, Utah Avalanche Center
08:50- 09:10: Subjective Risk Perception in Objectively Dangerous Spaces– How partners, knowledge, experience, and familiarity with terrain all factor into our perceptions of risk.- Russ Costa, Associate Professor of Honors & Neuroscience, Westminster College
9:15-09:35: Say What? Words of Estimative Probability and the Language of the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale. Are We All Communicating the Same Risk- Jimmy Tart
09:40-10:10 Break
10:15-10:20: eLearning Update
10:25-10:45: Utah Winter Review: A look back at the winter of 2017-18
10:50-11:10: Provo Area Mountains- Who is the sleeping maiden in your own backyard- John Woodruff- UDOT
11:15-11:35: I’m Alive – Surviving an Avalanche in the Meadow Chutes—A presentation on the factors leading up to being caught in and surviving an avalanche from a first person perspective- Peter Ingle- PhD, Westminster College
11:40-12:00: Weak, Layered and Structured… a Snow Stability Enigma- How a perceived lack of strength in a shallow snowpack can conspire against us whilst suggesting green light conditions – Craig Gordon
12:00-13:00 LUNCH
13:05-13:25: Decisions… Decisions- An early morning tour begs the question “Where are we going?”- Devin Loertscher
13:30-14:15: Female Decision Making From a Rec Standpoint– Shaun Raskin, Ashley Patterson, Emilee Drinkwater, Cindi Lou Grant, Quinn Graves
14:20-14:40: Avalanche Accidents and the Impact on Their Families- A personal viewpoint addressing long term effects avalanches have on our lives once the dust has settled- Austin Balls, Levi Johnson
14:45-15:05 Break
15:15-15:35: Big Red Cats- An avalanche survivor discusses the importance of having solid partners- Rich Nydegger
15:40-16:00: Knowing the “I” in Risk- A changing paradigm of decision making through
through the years- Noah Howell
16:00-17:00: Social Hour
There are also breakout sessions for more specific user types. On October 26th avalanche workers can attend the Professional Session. In it Utah’s avalanche community will team up with snow professionals from around the west to share avalanche knowledge. The USAW Professional Workshop is a closed workshop for avalanche professionals. You must certify that you work as a guide, ski patrol, snow safety, department of transportation, avalanche educator, or search and rescue member.
Motorized users will have their own breakout session on the 27th. It will be geared specifically for sledders by sledders, to address the unique needs and considerations of motorized users in the backcountry. You’ll learn from avalanche experts and fellow riders, and brush up your skills before the start of the season. It runs from 8:5 to 10:30 the morning of the Open Session.
Purchase your tickets now because last year’s USAW sold out. For more information or to reserve your spot, go to the Utah Avalanche Center’s website.