Updated and republished in January 2026 – Red River Adventures Avalanche Training in Utah
Do you like to ski, snowboard, snowmobile, or explore snowy mountain terrain? If so, taking an avalanche class is one of the best investments you can make for your safety and confidence while backcountry skiing. Proper avalanche education not only helps reduce risk — it gives you the tools to make better decisions in real conditions.
At Red River Adventures, we offer several types of AIARE-based avalanche training classes in Utah for students ages 10 and up, ranging from companion rescue to full decision-making curriculum.
Knowledge: Real Avalanche Education
One of the biggest takeaways from any avalanche course is a deeper understanding of how avalanches happen, how to interpret conditions, and how to make informed decisions before and during a backcountry outing.
We teach using the AIARE curriculum, developed with research-backed instruction on snow science, risk assessment, decision frameworks, and rescue techniques. This is the standard curriculum recognized by the American Avalanche Association and taught by certified providers nationwide.
You’ll learn:
- Snowpack basics and how weather affects stability
- How to interpret avalanche forecasts
- Practical decision-making tools for safe travel planning
Experience: Hands-On Field Learning
Where is the best place to learn about avalanches? In the field.
Our Utah avalanche classes are taught outside, in real mountain environments and under conditions you’re likely to encounter in the Wasatch backcountry. Classroom time is useful — but nothing replaces learning in real terrain, where weather, snowpack, and slope angles all come into play.
Our trained providers guide you through hands-on field exercises designed to prepare you for the situations you’ll face when you begin backcountry skiing, snowboarding, or riding on your own. During the course, participants practice:
- Using avalanche rescue gear effectively
- Searching for and locating buried partners
- Planning outings, choosing routes, and recognizing hazards
Students in our three-day avalanche course also learn critical rescue techniques, including how to locate and dig out a person buried in an avalanche, as well as how to prepare for a backcountry trip — what to bring, how to pack, and how to make smart decisions before you ever leave the trailhead.
This real-world experience reinforces classroom learning in a way that builds confidence, competence, and readiness for your first (and every) backcountry adventure.
Safety Techniques: Modern & Practical Skills
Safety isn’t just a concept – it’s a practiced skill. Our instructors, who are both AIARE providers and AMGA-certified guides, continually train and stay up-to-date on evolving best practices and safety technology.
You’ll leave the course with:
- A repeatable risk-management thought process
- Skills in companion rescue and equipment use
- Familiarity with safety tools (transceiver, probe, shovel)
Community & Confidence
We are a tight-knit group here at Red River Adventures. Our family-owned operation has been around since 2003. We have grown from three rafts and a van to a large-scale operation honored in the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame and named a Traveler’s Choice destination in 2020 by Trip Advisor for consistently receiving positive reviews and being in the top 10%. We’ve achieved these accolades by making sure our clients feel like our friends.
Book your avalanche training class online or call us at 435-259-4046.
FAQs About Avalanche Courses
What is an avalanche class?
- An avalanche class is a structured educational course that teaches snow safety, avalanche awareness, risk management, and companion rescue skills for traveling in snowy mountain terrain.
Who should take an avalanche training class?
- Anyone planning to travel in backcountry snow, including skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, snowshoers, or winter hikers. Courses range from introductory awareness to advanced decision-making.
What will I learn in an avalanche class?
- Most courses teach:
- Snowpack basics and avalanche causes
- Terrain and hazard recognition
- How to read forecasts
- Rescue gear use and companion rescue techniques
The emphasis during an avalanche class is on applying knowledge in real environments.
Do I need special gear for the class?
- Yes. For field portions of your avalanche course, you should bring:
- Avalanche transceiver (beacon)
- Probe
- Shovel
- Appropriate backcountry gear, clothing and footwear
- Gear rentals are sometimes available if you don’t own your own.
How do I choose the right avalanche course?
- Choose based on experience:
- Avalanche Rescue Course — Great for beginners or as a refresher
- AIARE Level 1 — Best for people starting backcountry travel
- AIARE Level 2 — For advanced decision-making and leadership skills