HOLLADAY SKI FIELD GUIDE
Lead the Line: Four Days of AIARE 2 Avalanche Training in Holladay
A four-day AIARE 2 course in Holladay that combines classroom sessions and extensive fieldwork to advance avalanche hazard management and leadership for experienced backcountry travelers.
Lead the Line: Four Days of AIARE 2 Avalanche Training in Holladay.
Adventure brief
Lead the Line: Four Days of AIARE 2 Avalanche Training in Holladay
Set against the canyons that peel off the Wasatch Range, the AIARE 2 course is an immersive, four-day program that moves beyond introductory rescue and awareness—offering experienced backcountry travelers a structured curriculum of classroom learning and in-field decision-making to manage more complicated avalanche terrain and to develop small-team leadership.
Red River Adventures offers an essential learning opportunity for winter sports enthusiasts looking to safely venture into backcountry terrain. Located in the scenic vicinity of Red River, this four-day AIARE 2 Avalanche Education course is designed for experienced outdoor adventurers eager to sharpen their safety skills. The course combines rigorous classroom instruction with hands-on field exercises, providing participants with the knowledge necessary to recognize avalanche hazards and make informed decisions when traveling in snow-covered landscapes. As part of New Mexico’s popular winter destination, Red River, this course stands out for its expert-led sessions and emphasis on leadership in challenging conditions. The terrain around Red River features rugged peaks, expansive snowfields, and avalanche-prone slopes, making it a top spot for backcountry skiing and snowboarding — but only with proper training. Participants will learn how to assess snow stability, interpret weather and terrain clues, and operate safety gear like beacons, shovels, and probes. The program caters to those with a solid foundation in winter sports, aiming to boost confidence and safety awareness. Whether you're a seasoned skier or snowboarder, completing the AIARE 2 course with Red River Adventures will not only improve your skills but also deepen your respect for winter mountain environments. Outside of class, the town of Red River offers outstanding winter recreation, with abundant trails and peaks waiting to be explored responsibly. This program is a valuable investment for anyone looking to enhance their backcountry experience and ensure safety on ambitious winter excursions.
Route Schematic
Course Itinerary Snapshot
The four-day program mixes classroom instruction with progressive field exercises across local canyon terrain.
Course Check-in — Holladay Meeting Point
Participants meet at the operator's designated location in Holladay for introductions, paperwork, and an initial briefing before the classroom session.
Classroom Sessions
One to two classroom sessions introduce the advanced hazard-management model, weather and snowpack concepts, and the basic forecasting framework for decision-making.
Field Days — Big & Little Cottonwood Canyons
Multiple field days place students in real avalanche terrain to collect observations, interpret conditions, select routes, and practice leadership and group decision-making.
Debrief and Leader Feedback
The course concludes with synthesis of field observations, group debriefs, and feedback on leadership and decision-making skills.
This course is designed for students who have prior level-1 avalanche training and practical winter backcountry experience; operator schedules and venues may change according to conditions and safety considerations.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Advance into a Leadership Role
The curriculum emphasizes developing leadership skills for small teams—facilitating group discussion, selecting appropriate terrain, and applying simple risk-management strategies so students can act with greater confidence when leading backcountry parties.
Classroom, Then Plenty of Time in the Field
The course balances one to two classroom sessions with extensive field days, allowing students to connect weather, snowpack, and avalanche-process theory to real observations and travel decisions in avalanche terrain.
Practice in the Cottonwood Canyons
Instruction and field exercises take place in local venues—Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons—so participants learn to evaluate hazards and terrain consequences in the region where they will likely travel.
What the day feels like
What Four Days Feels Like
Expect a concentrated course rhythm: morning classroom briefings to frame avalanche processes and forecasting frameworks, then full field days using observations to test hypotheses about weather, snowpack, and terrain; the pace is deliberate to allow time for discussion, hands-on evaluation, and leadership practice in increasingly complex travel scenarios.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course fits—and who should wait.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The course runs over four days, combining classroom sessions and multiple field days.
The program meets at 6200 Wasatch Blvd E, Holladay, UT 84117 for check-in and initial briefings.
Participants should have completed AIARE 1 (or equivalent AAA-accredited Level 1) and an avalanche rescue course; one winter of post-Level-1 practical experience is highly recommended.
Fieldwork takes place in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons; course schedule and locations may be adjusted for safety and snow conditions.
The curriculum includes 1–2 classroom sessions plus extensive in-field application focused on avalanche hazard evaluation and leadership development.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What is the tipping etiquette for guides?
Guides work hard to ensure a memorable, safe, and educational experience; if they meet or surpass your expectations, consider a gratuity—U.S. guidelines are similar to restaurants (15–20%).
How long is the AIARE 2 course?
The recreational AIARE 2 course is four days in duration.
What prerequisites are required to enroll?
Students should have completed an AIARE 1 course (or equivalent AAA-accredited Level 1) and an AIARE Rescue or equivalent avalanche rescue course; one winter of practical experience after Level 1 is highly recommended.
Where will most of the fieldwork take place?
Field exercises are conducted in local venues, specifically Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.
Is this course appropriate for beginners?
No—AIARE 2 is intended for those who have completed introductory avalanche training and have practical winter backcountry experience; it advances decision-making and leadership in more complicated terrain.
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: 2026-09-15T12:03:52.857Z
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.