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Instructors will initially focus on equipment and procedures for travel in avalanche terrain. They will discuss choice of tours based on present conditions and projected weather as well as current avalanche hazard. Techniques for maximizing efficiency on skins and trail setting will be reviewed. Special attention will be given to kick turning skills and tricks. The guides will address route selection as the party ascends to appropriate runs.

Guides will coach participants in transitions to downhill mode and proper procedures for descent in avalanche-prone terrain. Techniques for skiing and boarding in untracked snow will be demonstrated. Each participant will be given individual tips on how to improve downhill skills. Time will be allowed for lunch, snacks, water breaks and enjoyment of the winter Wasatch environment. Guides may demonstrate and give students a chance to do practice beacon searches.

The second day will be a longer tour, usually reaching a classic Wasatch bowl or skiable peak. Participants will apply skinning, downhill, and avalanche procedures while enjoying the best terrain and snow conditions available. Guides will dig a snowpit and demonstrate other snow stability assessment techniques as the party travels. Instructor will suggest good tours for students to do on their own, and offer insights into a progression of tours to enable goals to be achieved.

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UMA's Level 2 is a 32-hour, advanced avalanche course, including an 8-hour rescue skills day. It is sanctioned by the American Avalanche Association (A3.) Focus is on decision-making for Level 1-experienced backcountry travelers seeking to expand their knowledge of snow science; ski or climb bigger lines; travel in diverse terrain and snowpacks; and ski out-of-bounds safely even when avalanche danger is elevated.

UMA instructors are A3 pro members, highly trained and experienced as guides, teachers and athletes in various terrain, weather and snowpacks. Instructors share the practical tools and knowledge that they rely on to plan, travel, gather key snowpack information and make consequential decisions efficiently and effectively in avalanche terrain. With the exception of the rescue-specific training, forty percent of the course is classroom-based. Sixty percent is in the backcountry, in and around avalanche terrain.