Avalanche
In the booming world of backcountry recreation, Utah Adventures Unlimited (UAU) is carving out a niche by offering something fundamentally different: backcountry education that focuses on skills-building and personalization, not just avalanche training. Based in Salt Lake City, UAU specializes in courses designed to meet the individual needs of splitboarders and backcountry enthusiasts, helping them build confidence, knowledge, and safety practices that stick with them for life.
“The tools in your backpack are only as good as your knowledge on how to use them,” says Maxwell Morrill, founder of UAU. This statement is at the heart of the company’s philosophy. Morrill, a passionate educator with over 30 years of experience in the backcountry, emphasizes the importance of foundational skills that go beyond traditional avalanche courses. While UAU offers avalanche rescue training, the organization is clear: it is not an avalanche school. Instead, UAU helps students develop a deep understanding of backcountry fundamentals, tailored to their individual needs.
Backcountry Education with a Personal Touch
UAU’s approach to backcountry education is anything but standard. Unlike avalanche courses, UAU’s programs are designed to meet students where they are in their backcountry journey, personalizing instruction to ensure growth and mastery. “We’ve designed a unique step-by-step approach to teaching backcountry skills-building and fundamentals to splitboarding,” Morrill says. “It’s not just about ticking a box for avalanche rescue certification; it’s about building a solid foundation so students can safely explore the backcountry and make informed decisions.”
Each UAU course begins with a discovery call, where Morrill or a team member speaks directly with the student to assess their experience level, goals, and specific needs. This process allows UAU to craft a learning experience that aligns with the individual’s progression, rather than relying on a rigid, one-size-fits-all curriculum. “What makes us different is that we help students build backcountry skills and raise their education in a way that works for them as individuals,” Morrill explains.
Morrill’s ability to personalize education stems from his three decades of hands-on experience and a passion for teaching that borders on life coaching. He describes his work as guiding people, not just in the mountains but through their entire backcountry education journey. Through UAU’s subscription-based mentorship program, students can continue learning from Morrill for six months at a time, receiving ongoing guidance and support. “It’s like having a mountain coach,” Morrill says. “We’re here to help people at every stage of their growth.”
The Importance of Skills and Safety
UAU’s flagship course is its splitboard-specific Backcountry Essentials, which is designed to give students the most essential knowledge needed to enter the backcountry. The course is crafted for beginners looking to build a strong foundation in backcountry skills. This eight-hour course combines a two-hour equipment prep session with at least six hours of field practice, covering essentials like gear use, terrain management, and group dynamics. Designed for snowboarders confident on intermediate to black diamond terrain, the course ensures hands-on learning and even offers discounted or complimentary splitboard equipment to participants.
However, Morrill stresses that avalanche rescue is an important part of the equation. “A lot of people jump straight into avalanche education without understanding how to move through the backcountry or use their equipment,” he says. “Our focus is on teaching those foundational skills first because that’s what will truly keep you safe and let you enjoy the experience.”
An informed backcountry user is a safer one, and Morrill is passionate about ensuring his students understand how to give consent and participate in group discussions when making critical decisions. “If you can’t communicate or understand what’s happening, you’re more likely to follow someone blindly, and that can get you into trouble,” he explains. UAU’s courses emphasize critical thinking, communication, and collaboration, equipping students to be active and informed members of their backcountry groups.
Making Backcountry Education Accessible
Accessibility is a cornerstone of UAU’s mission. UAU has made it a priority to keep its courses affordable, believing that cost should never be a barrier to safety and education. “We’re lowering the financial barrier to entry,” Morrill says. “Education shouldn’t be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. It should be available to anyone who wants to learn.”
To further this commitment, UAU is introducing a scholarship program at the end of the month, allowing students facing financial hardship to apply for assistance. The scholarships will cover partial or full course costs, ensuring that backcountry education remains accessible to all. “We’re not just about affordability—we’re about inclusivity,” Morrill adds. “Everyone deserves the chance to learn and be safe in the mountains.”
A Splitboard Focus
One of UAU’s defining features is its splitboard-specific approach. UAU addresses the unique challenges faced by splitboarders, particularly during avalanche rescue scenarios. “The dynamics are different for splitboarders,” Morrill explains. “Whether it’s transitioning modes or conducting a search, it takes more time and requires different techniques. Our courses are tailored to those needs, creating a safer and more informed community of splitboarders.”
That said, UAU’s courses are inclusive. Morrill has worked with mixed groups, including families where one member skis and another snowboards. While the focus remains on splitboarding, UAU welcomes anyone eager to learn. “We don’t turn away skiers, but we make sure everyone gets the attention and instruction they need,” Morrill says.
Beyond the Basics: Comprehensive Backcountry Training
UAU’s offerings extend beyond avalanche rescue. The company provides a catalog of courses, including backcountry essentials, mentorship programs, and wilderness first aid training. Morrill plans to bundle these into week-long intensives, allowing students to gain a comprehensive education in a condensed timeframe. “We’re creating something unique here,” Morrill says. “Skills-building, wilderness first aid, and avalanche rescue all in one week.”
For Morrill, the goal is to create well-rounded backcountry users who are confident, informed, and prepared. This holistic approach to education is what sets UAU apart from other organizations. “We’re not just about certifications or checking boxes,” he says. “We’re about building lifelong skills and habits that keep people safe and allow them to enjoy the backcountry to the fullest.”
Transforming Backcountry Education
Utah Adventures Unlimited is more than an education provider—it’s a community. Morrill’s passion for teaching and his commitment to personalized instruction have created an environment where students thrive. With affordable courses, a focus on splitboarding, and a dedication to foundational skills, UAU is redefining what backcountry education can and should be.
“There’s so much demand now for backcountry education,” Morrill says. “We’re not an avalanche school—we’re about building skills and confidence in a way that works for each person. There’s no substitute for experience, and that’s what we offer.”
For those looking to build their backcountry knowledge in a way that is affordable, personalized, and transformative, Utah Adventures Unlimited offers more than just courses. It offers a path to becoming a skilled, informed, and safe backcountry adventurer.
To learn more about Utah Adventures Unlimted or sign up for a course this winter, visit the UAU website.
About Maxwell Morrill
52-year-old Maxwell Jeffrey Morrill was the first snowboarder to complete all Avalanche Level I, II, and III training with the American Avalanche Institute. He founded the first snowboarder-focused avalanche program in North America. He has been featured in various publications from National Geographic to Transworld Snowboarding.
Most recently, from 2018-2022, Morrill helped build the Cardiff Snowcraft brand as a core team member. Over the past five years, he held the position of Director of Education, Events, and Outreach. He created instruction and learning programs, teaching backcountry essentials, splitboard skills, and splitboard 101 courses.
Currently, Morrill is the owner of Utah Adventures Unlimited featuring experiential education and adventures, such as The Winter School in Utah. He is an ASA-certified sailor, AAI Pro 2 certified, N.O.L.S. WFR certified, travels the globe as a splitboard athlete and ambassador, and ticks off his ongoing list of the 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America.
