PRTS 304 - Backcountry Ski Touring - Wasatch Range

This course is designed to introduce students to the foundational techniques for skiing in backcountry alpine terrain in the Wasatch Range of Utah. Course content will focus on avalanche awareness (rescue, terrain, weather, snowpack and decision-making/human factors), travel techniques (split board, alpine and telemark, route-finding, laying of a skin track, terrain selection), side-country ethics, choosing appropriate tours, navigation, basic 1st aid, and field repairs. Course content will be learned and applied over one classroom session and four field-based experiences. Leave No Trace skills appropriate for the winter and information regarding natural resource management will also be covered in the course. Expert level skiing is not required.