Educated Backcountry

Snow report
A pair of backcountry skis set side by side in pristine powder at the edge of a broad alpine bowl, their tips lightly dusted with sparkling snow crystals. Nearby, a snowpit wall is neatly cut, showing distinct, horizontal snow layers with subtle color and texture differences. A sturdy metal snow saw and crystal card rest on the flat pit surface, alongside a precise digital thermometer and magnifying loupe. Overcast, diffused mountain light creates soft, even illumination, minimizing harsh shadows and allowing each layer’s detail to stand out. Captured from a slightly elevated angle in photographic realism, with the snowpit in sharp focus and distant, gentle ridgelines softly blurred, conveying a calm, scientific, safety-focused mood.

Avalanche Classroom

Plan safer backcountry days in the Wasatch with concise, practical avalanche lessons and local insights daily.

Upcoming Courses

Dec-7-25

Snowbird Lodge

Snowbird, UT

View details

Dec-9-25

Alta Base

Alta, UT

Join course

Dec-11-25

Brighton Center

Brighton, UT

Reserve spot

Dec-8-25

Solitude Village

Solitude, UT

More info

Dec-10-25

Park City

Salt Lake City

Sign up

Dec-12-25

Millcreek Trailhead

Millcreek, UT

Register now

Dec-13-25

Guardsman Pass

Wasatch Crest

Learn more

Dec-14-25

Big Cottonwood

Wasatch, UT

See overview

Dec-15-25

Little Cottonwood

Cottonwoods, UT

Plan tour

Updates

Get Wasatch avalanche updates and study prompts.

Instructor Team

A meticulously organized backcountry ski touring pack, unzipped on a clean wooden cabin floor, revealing a neatly arranged avalanche shovel, collapsible probe, compact first-aid kit, map, compass, and insulated water bottle. Next to the pack, a pair of modern touring skis with tech bindings and sharp edges rests against a whitewashed wall, skins folded precisely beside them. Soft, diffused morning light from an unseen window washes across the gear, creating gentle shadows and subtle highlights on metal and fabric. Photographic realism with a professional, clean aesthetic, shot at eye level with moderate depth of field so the background fades into a soft blur, emphasizing preparedness and careful planning for safe backcountry travel.

Aarav Sharma

CEO

IFMGA guide sharing practical Wasatch tour planning, decision-making, and group communication skills.

A detailed overhead view of a snow-covered topographic map spread across a rustic wooden table, with contour lines, marked ascent routes, slope angles, and shaded avalanche terrain clearly visible. A precise metal compass, a weatherproof GPS device, and a laminated avalanche bulletin printout are carefully positioned on the map, their screens and text legible. A pencil and small field notebook lie open with route notes and elevation profiles. Cool, diffused daylight from above creates even, shadow-free illumination, emphasizing clarity and readability. The photographic style is crisp and professional, with sharp focus across the entire frame, evoking a methodical, analytical atmosphere for trip planning and risk assessment.

Mateo García

CTO

Snow scientist translating avalanche research into clear, field-ready lessons for everyday Wasatch backcountry travelers.

A pair of backcountry skis set side by side in pristine powder at the edge of a broad alpine bowl, their tips lightly dusted with sparkling snow crystals. Nearby, a snowpit wall is neatly cut, showing distinct, horizontal snow layers with subtle color and texture differences. A sturdy metal snow saw and crystal card rest on the flat pit surface, alongside a precise digital thermometer and magnifying loupe. Overcast, diffused mountain light creates soft, even illumination, minimizing harsh shadows and allowing each layer’s detail to stand out. Captured from a slightly elevated angle in photographic realism, with the snowpit in sharp focus and distant, gentle ridgelines softly blurred, conveying a calm, scientific, safety-focused mood.

Zuri Ndlovu

Engineer

Patroller and educator focusing on rescue practice, terrain traps, and real Wasatch incident case studies.

A meticulously organized backcountry ski touring pack, unzipped on a clean wooden cabin floor, revealing a neatly arranged avalanche shovel, collapsible probe, compact first-aid kit, map, compass, and insulated water bottle. Next to the pack, a pair of modern touring skis with tech bindings and sharp edges rests against a whitewashed wall, skins folded precisely beside them. Soft, diffused morning light from an unseen window washes across the gear, creating gentle shadows and subtle highlights on metal and fabric. Photographic realism with a professional, clean aesthetic, shot at eye level with moderate depth of field so the background fades into a soft blur, emphasizing preparedness and careful planning for safe backcountry travel.

Leila Haddad

Designer

Curriculum designer curating videos, quizzes, and checklists to reinforce your avalanche awareness all season.