Medical School Avalanche Level One, January 11th and 12th, Pre-trip meeting January 4th 6-9pm

This customized two-day Avalanche Level 1 course is designed for members of the University of Utah Health Sciences community, including physicians, residents, faculty, staff, and students. Held January 11–12, the course introduces participants to the fundamentals of avalanche hazard recognition, terrain assessment, snowpack and weather considerations, and backcountry decision-making. The curriculum is aligned with the recreational Level 1 guidelines of the American Avalanche Association and combines practical field instruction with an evidence-based approach to managing risk in avalanche terrain. Participants will learn to recognize avalanche problems, select appropriate terrain, use avalanche forecasts and other planning tools, and apply structured decision-making strategies in the field. The course is intended to give backcountry travelers a practical foundation for making more informed, deliberate, and defensible decisions in winter mountain environments.  The pre-trip meeting is January 4th from 6-9pm via zoom and the course dates are January 11th and 12th.  Meeting times are yet to be determined, but typically are about 8am at a trailhead in the Central Wasatch.