In light of last weekend’s avalanche fatality, the Utah Avalanche Center is encouraging everyone to be extra cautious when searching for fresh powder prior to the ski resorts opening. The center has begun providing daily avalanche reports and advisories to recreationalists around Utah and cautions that the current snow conditions pose a considerable avalanche risk.

Daily avalanche reports can be found on the center’s website at http://utahavalanchecenter.org/ . Residents can also call the center’s avalanche hotline 24 hours a day at (888)-999-4019.

According to Craig Gordon, the avalanche center’s forecaster for the western Uinta Mountains, some of the most popular winter recreation areas are also the most prone to early-season avalanches.

“People want to go where there is the most snow, which is the higher elevations and northern facing slopes,” said Gordon. “These are places where there is leftover snow from our October storms, which has turned weak and sugary and now has a fresh layer of snow from over the weekend on top of it. These are the places where snow is sliding and avalanches are happening.”

If residents are seeking a backcountry experience, Gordon recommends staying in meadows or on low-angle slopes and avoiding faces that are located below steep slopes.

“Avoid areas where there is old snow,” Gordon added. “Find mid-elevation areas with only new snow. It may be rocky and have less snow, but it is safer snow. It requires a bit of savvyness and for people to know the lay of the land.”

The avalanche center offers a free basic avalanche awareness course and backcountry education courses. Before anyone enters the backcountry, Gordon said they should have updated avalanche information, backcountry rescue gear and training on how to use it.

“Everyone should have avalanche rescue gear with them, not just a few people in the group,” he said. “This includes a probe, shovel and beacon. But if you have to use the gear, the accident has already happened and you screwed up somewhere. A quarter of everyone who dies in an avalanche dies from trauma so we never want the avalanche to even happen.”

Avalanche Classes:

Nov. 17-Free avalanche awareness talk ‘Know Before You Go’ 6 p.m. at REI on 3300 South

Nov. 29- Free avalanche awareness talk ‘Know Before You Go’ 7 p.m. at REI on 3300 South

Dec. 15-Level 1 backcountry course, 6 p.m. at White Pine Touring in Park City.

Course cost is $250, contact White Pine Touring to sign up at (435) 649-8710

Jan. 6-Level 1 backcountry course offered by the American Avalanche Institute, 8 a.m. at Canyons ski resort. Class cost is $275, contact the American Avalanche Institute at (307) 733-3315

Jan. 6- Level 1 backcountry course, 9 a.m. at White Pine Touring in Park City.

Course cost is $250, contact White Pine Touring to sign up at (435) 649-8710