Utah Avalanche Center Podcast: “Shame and the Social Contract” Up to 90% of non-fatal avalanches do not get reported. But why? In America, there is a strong culture of shaming when it comes to avalanches. No one wants to admit that they messed up and triggered a dangerous avalanche. Related: What I Learned From Triggering an Avalanche in the Backcountry Last Season In this podcast, Utah Avalanche Center forecaster […] Backcountry AvyBrains | October 8, 2020 0 Comments
Don’t Miss the 27th Annual UAC Backcountry Benefit on September 10th | Last Chance to Get Party Pack Tickets Do you hear that? That silent churning in your gut, that gradual shift in your attitude as the leaves die prettily and the temperatures drop? That’s winter you’re hearing. It’s creeping up on you. Within the span of less than two surprisingly short months, snow will soon be falling and you’ll be in the backcountry again. You know this. We […] Backcountry SnowBrains | September 4, 2020 0 Comments
Utah Avalanche Center Director Addresses Expectations for Next Winter | More Backcountry Users Than Ever Before Last season ended tragically and this next one will start weirdly. Because winter is just around the corner, we wanted to get an image in our heads of what to expect next season so we reached out to Mark Staples for insight, the director of the Utah Avalanche Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Related: Why You Need to Get […] Industry News Martin Kuprianowicz | September 1, 2020 0 Comments
Why You Need to Get Your Backcountry Gear Now | Gear Shortages Possible When powder-coated lifts stopped spinning in the middle of last season, touring skins went like candy. As did touring bindings, beacons, probes, shovels, and all that is related to backcountry skiing/snowboarding, gear-wise. And industry professionals such as backcountry ski shop owners and avalanche forecasters expect it happen it all over again (the gear flying off store shelves, not the closing […] Backcountry Martin Kuprianowicz | August 26, 2020 2 Comments
JOB ALERT: Utah Avalanche Center is Hiring For its 2020-21 Internship Program The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) is looking for qualified candidates to fill their available internship positions. Applicants must be 21+, hold a minimum of a Recreational Level 1 avalanche certification, and be available to work from August 1 – April 1. Related: Utah Avalanche Center Releases Annual Report: 25% More Slides But Fatalities Half of Previous Year The program focuses […] Avalanche AvyBrains | June 19, 2020 0 Comments
Utah Avalanche Center Releases Annual Report: 25% More Slides But Fatalities Half of Previous Year The Utah Avalanche Center has wrapped up their season and published its Annual Report, providing a summary of the year including metrics around forecasting, education, and awareness programs. Related: Utah Avalanche Center Director Speaks on Backcountry Use During the COVID-19 Crisis The season’s snowfall was slightly above average, with snowpack in April at 109% of average. After a great start to […] Avalanche AvyBrains | June 12, 2020 0 Comments
Utah Avalanche Center Issues Final Forecast for the Season: Urges Backcountry Users To Be Careful Sunday, April 19, would have been closing day at Alta Ski Area in Utah. Sunday was also the last day that the Utah Avalanche Center issued an avalanche forecast for the 2020/21 season. But as their avalanche forecasting service gets discontinued until next year, the UAC reminds backcountry users to be careful when skiing the backcountry at this time. RELATED: […] Backcountry SnowBrains | April 24, 2020 0 Comments
Utah Avalanche Center: Uncertainty, Risk, & Decision Making: Before, During, and After COVID-19 The following blog post is by guest author, UAC observer, and Wasatch Backcountry Alliance vice president Tom Diegel. This post is not intended to represent the official opinions of the UAC. Instead, it is to offer a starting point for constructive discussions and thoughts about how to recreate during the current health care crisis. The State of Utah has information […] Backcountry Guest Author | April 11, 2020 1 Comment