HOLLADAY SKI FIELD GUIDE
AIARE 1 in the Wasatch: Three Days to Read Snow and Lead Safe Tours
A three-day, 24-hour AIARE Level 1 course taught from Holladay that combines online lessons, an evening Zoom, and two field days to teach avalanche terrain recognition, decision-making, and companion rescue.
AIARE 1 in the Wasatch: Three Days to Read Snow and Lead Safe Tours.
Adventure brief
AIARE 1 in the Wasatch: Three Days to Read Snow and Lead Safe Tours
Set against the Wasatch Mountains outside Holladay, this AIARE Level 1 course compresses the fundamentals of avalanche hazard management into a three-day, 24-hour immersive program. Led by experienced instructors, the curriculum pairs pre-course online study with a live evening session and two field days focused on touring, snowpack evaluation, and practical rescue drills.
Located at 6200 Wasatch Blvd E in Holladay, Utah, Red River Adventures offers an essential gateway into avalanche education through their AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Education course. This three-day, immersive program is designed for skiers and splitboarders eager to gain practical, hands-on skills for navigating Utah’s challenging winter backcountry terrain.
Positioned just outside Salt Lake City, the Wasatch Range is renowned for its steep, snow-laden slopes and deep powder—conditions that demand respect and well-honed avalanche awareness. Red River Adventures leverages this setting to deliver training that goes beyond theory, blending virtual prep work with intensive days in the field across Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.
Participants start with an evening virtual session outlining the core principles of avalanche hazard management, followed by two full field days where they engage in snowpack analysis, route planning, and rescue techniques. The course emphasizes the AIARE Decision Making Framework to help backcountry travelers evaluate risk, interpret avalanche forecasts, and make sound terrain choices, crucial skills for safe mountain travel.
What sets this course apart is its focus on both education and community. Guided by experienced ski and splitboard instructors, students practice essential companion rescue methods with beacons, shovels, and probes—tools Red River Adventures provides for those who need them—while connecting with like-minded adventurers.
This program caters to various skill levels, including a Low Ratio option for seasoned backcountry travelers seeking deeper training. With Utah’s winter avalanche terrain as a real-world classroom, Red River Adventures plays a vital role in promoting safety and confidence in one of the country’s most dynamic mountain regions. Whether new to backcountry touring or sharpening hard-earned skills, their expert approach ensures every participant leaves prepared for the uncertainties of winter terrain travel.
Route Schematic
Course Itinerary at a Glance
A short sequence of remote and field sessions builds from prep work to independent application under instructor supervision.
Online Pre-Course Learning
Students complete 6–8 hours of pre-course online material to establish baseline knowledge before the live session.
Day 1 — Evening Zoom
A Zoom meeting (5:00–8:00 PM) reviews pre-course material, introduces new concepts, and covers logistics for the upcoming field days.
Day 2 — Field Day
Instructors lead a full field day focused on rescue practice and digging and interpreting snow profiles with student participation.
Day 3 — Student-Led Tour
Students plan and execute a touring day, applying route-choice and decision-making frameworks with feedback from instructors.
Participants must meet course restrictions: minimum age 14+, and be able to climb and ski 1,500'+ vertical and travel roughly 3 miles in a day (Low Ratio courses expect ~3,000' per day); class sizes are limited per operator guidance and instructors may change routes for safety.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Framework for Safer Choices
Students learn and apply the AIARE decision-making framework to plan travel and make terrain choices as a group—skills designed to reduce uncertainty when moving in or near avalanche terrain.
Identify Avalanche Terrain
The course emphasizes how to identify avalanche terrain and integrate avalanche forecasts into trip planning so participants leave able to distinguish where to recreate and where to avoid.
Hands-On Companion Rescue
Practical companion rescue practice is a core outcome: students practice search methods and rescue techniques intended to give parties the skills to find and recover a buried person.
What the day feels like
What the Course Feels Like
The flow begins with concentrated online study, moves into a three-hour evening Zoom to synthesize the pre-course material, and then into two field days in the Wasatch where theory is translated into route planning, snow profiles, practical rescue scenarios, and a student-led touring day with instructor feedback.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course is built for—and who should consider stepping up elsewhere first.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a three-day, 24-hour AIARE Level 1 course consisting of pre-course online study, an evening Zoom meeting, and two field days.
The course specializes in skiing and splitboarding; participants should bring and be familiar with their touring setup and transitions so they can focus on the curriculum.
The meeting location for the course is 6200 Wasatch Blvd E, Holladay, UT 84117; course logistics are discussed during the Day 1 Zoom.
Courses are limited in size per operator guidance to maintain instruction quality, with typical staffing patterns noted in course information.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Is AIARE 1 for beginners?
Yes. It is the entry-level avalanche course and no prior avalanche training is required.
Do I need backcountry experience?
No—formal backcountry experience is not required, but it is highly recommended you are familiar with your touring setup and transitions so you can focus on the curriculum.
Will we tour during the course?
Yes. After online learning and the Day 1 Zoom, you will be in the field and touring on Days 2 and 3; participants should be comfortable riding blue square terrain in variable conditions.
How fit do I need to be?
Participants should be able to climb and ski 1,500'+ vertical and travel about 3 miles in a single day; Low Ratio courses expect ~3,000' per day and multi-day touring ability.
What skills will I leave with?
You will learn to identify avalanche terrain, plan trips using avalanche forecasts, apply a decision-making framework in the field, and perform companion rescue techniques.
How many students are in each course?
Courses are limited to 6 students per instructor, and operators typically staff courses with two instructors.
Is tipping expected?
A gratuity is appreciated if guides meet expectations; in the U.S. a standard range is 15–20%.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-08-28T01:52:31.782Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.