A powdercloud avalanche was recorded by skiers in the Provo mountains on March 27, 2023. Photo: Utah Avalanche Center.

UTAH — It’s officially Utah’s 5th Annual Avalanche Awareness Week. House Bill 380 was passed by the Utah Legislature five years ago, designating the first week of December as Avalanche Awareness Week.

The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) and the Division of Outdoor Recreation celebrate this year’s Avalanche Awareness Week from Dec. 3-10 with the goal of saving lives through education and safety.

According to the UAC’s 2022-23 annual report, there were 1,118 reported avalanches, 395 human-triggered avalanches, and three fatalities.

See the list of free events below to find one near you.

Know Before You Go Avalanche Awareness Presentation
USU – ARC
Dec. 6, 7 p.m.

Join the UAC and Utah State University Outdoor Programs for a FREE avalanche awareness talk.
Know Before You Go is the first step in your journey through avalanche education.
The program introduces you to avalanche safety with some simple steps you can take to stay safe and have fun in
avalanche terrain before you go into the mountains in winter.

Stio is open throughout the Sundance Film Festival and will be joined by JW Bennett on Sunday, January 22.

Know Before You Go Avalanche Awareness Presentation
Stio Mountain Studio, 556 Main St, Park City, UT
Dec. 7, 6 p.m.

Join the UAC and Stio for a FREE avalanche awareness talk.
Know Before You Go is the first step in your journey through avalanche education.
The program introduces you to avalanche safety with some simple steps you can take to stay safe and have fun in
avalanche terrain before you go into the mountains in winter.

Know Before You Go Avalanche Awareness Presentation
The Front Climbing Gym, Salt Lake City, UT
Dec. 11, 6 p.m.

Join the UAC for a FREE avalanche awareness talk.
Know Before You Go is the first step in your journey through avalanche education.
The program introduces you to avalanche safety with some simple steps you can take to stay safe and have fun in
avalanche terrain before you go into the mountains in winter.