COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS SKI FIELD GUIDE
A Season of Real Snow: Intensive Avalanche Mentorship in the Cottonwoods
A winter mentorship that combines Rescue, Rec Level 1 and Rec Level 2 into one field-driven program (Dec–Mar), teaching ski and splitboard backcountry travel in small, instructor-led groups.
A Season of Real Snow: Intensive Avalanche Mentorship in the Cottonwoods.
Adventure brief
A Season of Real Snow: Intensive Avalanche Mentorship in the Cottonwoods
In the cold, woody folds of the Wasatch near Cottonwood Heights, this mentorship recasts avalanche education as an integrated, field-first progression. Instructors move learners out of the classroom and into recurring winter days on skis or a splitboard to build rescue skills, terrain management, snowpack interpretation, and small-team leadership through repeated, real-world practice.
The rugged Wasatch Mountains near Cottonwood Heights, Utah, are home to one of the most comprehensive avalanche training programs available: the Backcountry & Avalanche Mentorship. Spanning from early December through March, this 7-day course is tailored for skiers and splitboarders ready to gain expert-level avalanche knowledge and backcountry travel skills in a real winter environment. With its small-group format and seasoned instructors, this program is redefining how backcountry travelers prepare for winter adventures in avalanche-prone terrain.
Nestled amidst iconic valleys and canyons such as Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, Millcreek, and Lambs, this mentorship offers a deeply immersive experience. The Wasatch Range itself is defined by steep granite faces and dense forested slopes, where snowpack can vary dramatically and weather shifts rapidly. Participants learn to interpret these dynamic mountain conditions firsthand, gaining pragmatic skills rather than textbook theory.
This course is a unique fusion of avalanche rescue training and terrain management, combining Rescue, Recreational Level 1, and Recreational Level 2 curricula into one streamlined package. This means students progress efficiently through key competencies: from beacon use and rescue techniques to advanced snowpack analysis and critical decision-making in the backcountry. The course emphasizes leadership development, teaching participants how to facilitate group safety discussions and make calculated risk assessments on the fly.
Unlike standard avalanche courses, the mentorship runs multiple field days throughout winter, allowing students to apply lessons under varied snow and weather conditions. Groups are capped at six participants per instructor, ensuring individualized focus and hands-on practice. Expert instructors approved by the American Avalanche Association guide every session, bringing both technical prowess and a passion for mentoring.
The Wasatch Mountains are a cornerstone of Utah’s outdoor community, and this mentorship taps into that local expertise. This thorough program, paired with intimate group sizes and diverse terrain exposure, makes it an unparalleled option for developing confidence and competence in winter backcountry travel.
Whether you’re a strong intermediate skier or a seasoned splitboarder, this mentorship sharpens critical skills for safer adventures in the snow. While avalanche gear—beacons, probes, shovels—is provided, participants are encouraged to bring their own touring equipment. The mentorship also grants exclusive access to online learning resources and personalized feedback throughout the season.
For anyone looking to elevate their winter backcountry expertise and lead with assurance amid Utah’s challenging alpine conditions, the Backcountry & Avalanche Mentorship offers a rare chance to learn from the best, train in real terrain, and build a foundation for a lifetime of safe mountain experiences.
Route Schematic
Field-day schematic
The program is organized as a kickoff plus five additional field days drawn from scheduled dates; the itinerary lays out how the sessions run on two tracks.
Mandatory kickoff
Attendance at the first Saturday or the first Wednesday session is required as the program's kickoff and orientation.
Choose your remaining field days
After the kickoff you select any five of the remaining six dates within your chosen track for a total of six field days.
Saturday (mixed) track dates
Saturday dates include the kickoff and a set of additional weekend field days spaced through the season.
Wednesday (women-only) track dates
A parallel weekday track runs on Wednesdays with a women-only kickoff and subsequent midweek field days.
This is a moderate program: expect a minimum of roughly 3,000 feet of vertical per day and come prepared for sustained physical effort and winter travel conditions; schedule and field venues may vary by season.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
One course that covers the full spectrum
The mentorship blends the essential curriculum of Rescue, Rec Level 1 and Rec Level 2 into a single, progressive program so participants receive a comprehensive avalanche education over repeated field days.
Learn in real winter conditions
Training runs December through March so instruction and decision-making happen in a range of snow and weather conditions rather than a single simulated day.
Small groups for hands-on learning
The course limits attendance so instruction is personal and practical — you get close coaching on rescue technique, terrain selection, and leadership within a tight team environment.
What the day feels like
What the mentorship feels like
This is less a single clinic and more a season of deliberate practice: a mandatory kickoff followed by five field days you select from scheduled dates. Each outing layers new skills and observations—beacon work and rescue drills, snowpack tests and SWAG-based weather interpretation, then on-slope decision making and small-group leadership—so you graduate with repeated exposure to varied terrain and conditions.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this mentorship suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This winter the program runs December through March with two 6-day session tracks available—one on weekends and one on weekdays; specific field dates are scheduled and a mandatory kickoff applies.
A complete gear list is provided at sign-up. Avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, probe) is provided at no charge; skis, splitboards, skins and poles are available; participants are recommended to bring their own boots though a limited supply may be available.
Training comprises full days in Utah’s Wasatch venues (Big and Little Cottonwood, Millcreek, Lambs Canyon) with AAA-approved avalanche instructors and capped group sizes to ensure hands-on coaching.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How is this course different from Rec 1 or Rec 2?
This program combines Rescue, Rec Level 1 and Rec Level 2 into a single comprehensive course, providing the full spectrum of avalanche education in one experience.
When is the course offered?
Sessions run December through March so participants train across a variety of real winter snow and terrain conditions.
What’s the group size?
Courses are capped at six participants per instructor to ensure personal attention and hands-on learning.
Who should take this course?
Skiers and splitboarders with strong downhill ability who are ready to start or advance their backcountry travel and avalanche education.
What will I learn?
Participants learn rescue technique, terrain recognition, snowpack and weather analysis, leadership, and risk-management strategies for safe backcountry travel.
Where is the course held?
Training takes place in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, including Big and Little Cottonwood, Millcreek, and Lambs Canyon.
Do I need my own gear?
Avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, probe) is provided at no charge; skis, splitboards, skins and poles are also available. Bringing your own boots is recommended, though a limited supply is offered if needed.
What’s included?
Professional instruction from AAA-approved guides, avalanche safety gear, and full days of field training in real backcountry terrain are included as part of the mentorship.
How this guide was prepared
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- Verified: 2026-09-15T12:03:54.197Z
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Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.