Snow that falls in fall and early winter can often become weak and faceted. This faceted weak layer, sometimes called depth hoar, produces large and deadly avalanches that kill more people in Utah than any other avalanche type. To ride in avalanche terrain we need to know where this weak layer of early season snow exists and where it doesn't exist. We want to choose slopes that don't have this weak layer. To know where this weak layer exists so that we can avoid those slopes, we should take three steps. Identify the pattern of where this layer exists. In Utah, …

Here is a quick video tip about measuring slope steepness. You can avoid avalanches if you stay off and out from under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees in the backcountry.

Sarah Carpenter, picture here with husband Don, is a co-owner of the American Avalanche Institute. She teaches avalanche courses to both recreationists and professionals and loves sharing her excitement about the winter environment with others. Sarah also works as a ski guide in the Tetons. She lives in Victor, ID with her husband, Don, in a house they built together (with a lot of help). She says her favorite place to ski is in wild, remote places with people that she cares about. "I truly love powder skiing and you can typically find me by following the laughter as I ski …

Out with the kids on Saturday, December 6th, and they noticed the obvious. “You don’t need a shovel to dig in the snow” Insightful words from a 7-year-old. What does it tell us when a kid notices how easy it is to dig in the snow with just your hands? Snow science can be kindergarten science. The snow on many slopes has the consistency of sugar or loose sand. Why is this? It has metamorphosed or changed from snowflakes and old, rounded snow into weak, faceted snow. Trent described why and how this process happens in this video: As …

I wanted to share our text string from Saturday night (Dec 5th) among UAC forecasters in the SLC office: Mark Staples, Nikki Champion, Trent Meisenheimer, Greg Gagne, and Drew Hardesty. This is a good way to pull the curtain back and show what goes on behind the scenes. It's an example of the near continuous communication that we have regarding current and future conditions. Also - this is why we value your observations: more data improves accuracy of our forecasts. So - for those of you that have been out and about and sending in observations - Thanks! The Staff at the …

2nd Annual Avalanche Awareness Week In 2019, the Utah Legislature passed House Bill 380, which recognizes the first week of December as Avalanche Awareness Week. Join the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation, Utah State Parks, and Utah Department of Transportation to celebrate the Second Annual Avalanche Awareness week, from December 6- December 12. Over the course of Avalanche Awareness Week, classes, media events, and online learning opportunities will be hosted by the Utah Avalanche Center and its partners. The goal of this week is to ultimately save lives …

For over ten years the Utah Avalanche Center has collaborated with nonprofit SheJumps to bring free and affordable avalanche awareness and education to females in our community. We welcome all women and girls (transgender and cisgender) as well as non-binary people who identify with the women’s community. We hope you’ll join us and help spread the word about these great events! Skiing and snowboarding in the backcountry are much safer and much more fun when you have an understanding of avalanches. Come learn with us in an inclusive and comfortable environment whether online or …