Avalanche Safety Courses CUA

 

Overview

The CUA authorizes avalanche safety courses. An avalanche safety course is an instructional trip where participants receive education and/or certification in avalanche safety. Ski mountaineering is not authorized under this CUA and any skiing that occurs during courses must be incidental to the primary instructional purpose of the activity.

General Provisions

1. Avalanche safety courses must be authorized on an individual, first come basis. The CUA holder must submit course proposals upon CUA application, including dates, general description, number of participants, front and backcountry locations with detailed maps outlining proposed itinerary, parking plan including number and location of vehicles, course trip leader and guides, and times with their application. Additional course proposals may be approved if submitted two weeks prior to course dates.
2. The park's review and acceptance of an avalanche safety course is dependent upon locations, dates, times, staffing, visitor use levels and resource impacts. Operators will not be permitted to offer courses in the same area to limit visitor use conflicts. Courses may be declined due to overlapping requests and alternative locations; submissions are encouraged with each course proposal. Operators will notify Commercial services office of course cancellations immediately to allow for location reallocation.
3. The park's review and authorization of certain locations, dates, and times is not a review of the associated activity's risk, terrain suitability, and avalanche conditions. Such review is the responsibility of the CUA holder.
4. CUA holders must maintain risk management plans for each course proposal that detail emergency communication procedures and emergency rescue plan. The holder is not required to submit their risk management plan to the NPS during the application period. The NPS may request the plan in conjunction with administrative monitoring. Risk management is the responsibility of the holder.
5. Maximum group size for day use is 12 people, which must include at least one trip leader.
6. CUA holders are limited to 3 groups per day. Each group must be dispersed a minimum of 60 minutes apart and may not congregate at a destination.
7. CUA holders cannot park in an area occupied by another permitted outfitter. CUA holders are strongly encouraged to carpool and/or provide transportation to participants to mitigate limited parking access.
8. Prohibitions: Ski lessons, ski schools, and ski mountaineering activities are not authorized under this CUA. Ski mountaineering is defined for the purposes of this authorization as climbing peaks and/or taking routes that require the use of technical mountaineering equipment (i.e., aids used for protection from falls such as crampons, ice axes, ice screws, ropes).

Staffing and Employment

9. Trip leaders must be certified or recognized Avalanche Course Instructors by the American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education (AAIRE), American Avalanche Association (AAA), Canadian Avalanche Association (CCA) or other Avalanche education organizations. These requirements typically include Avalanche Pro 1 and Avalanche Pro 2 certifications in addition to requisite avalanche science field experience. Additional guides must be certified in Avalanche Level 2 or the professional equivalent certification. Each guide must have completed an Avalanche Rescue Course.
10. Trip leaders must have Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, or higher-level certification. All staff accompanying trips must meet basic requirements to guide activity.

Required Equipment

11. Each guide must carry:
    1. a topographic map for the area of their trip and must have a basic knowledge of map reading. It is recommended all guides carry a compass and GPS, and be trained in their use.
    2. a first aid kit suitable for backcountry emergencies and containing adequate supplies for the group size they are guiding.
    3. a reliable emergency communication device which could include a GPS locator beacon, satellite messenger, cell phone, or satellite phone. While cell phones provide an excellent backup tool for emergency communications (911), they are not always reliable in Yellowstone’s backcountry. It is incumbent upon the operator to carry a device reliable in the geographic area of the park where the trip is being conducted.
12. Each guide and client are required to be equipped with an avalanche transceiver, clinometer, shovel, and probe.
13. For trips taking place in the Backcountry, or beyond ½ mile of any trailhead or road, it is recommended one guide carry an emergency fire-starting kit.
14. CUA holders are responsible for ensuring that guides and clients are properly attired for the current and forecasted weather conditions. Routes will be determined based on clients’ abilities and desires.

Operational Requirements

15. When multiple guides are leading a trip, they must carry devices that will allow them to communicate with each other.
16. Overnight backcountry use requires an overnight backcountry CUA and is not authorized under this CUA.
17. One guide on each trip must have previous winter travel experience in the area of the park where the course is being conducted.
18. Skiing and snowshoeing are prohibited on groomed roads associated with oversnow vehicle traffic (i.e., Grand Loop Road), except on designated routes or crossings. Designated routes or crossings:
    1. The winter berm on the Mammoth Norris Road to the Snow Pass Trailhead(1K2)
    2. Canyon Junction to Dunraven Picnic area
    3. Canyon Junction to Cascade Creek Trailhead
19. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is closed to off-trail travel, including climbing, between the Chittenden Bridge and Silver Cord Cascade (36 CFR § 1.5).
20. While in Yellowstone, the CUA holder or guide shall remain with their clients for the duration of the trip.
21. The CUA holder or guide shall provide all clients with an orientation prior to the trip which emphasizes safe practices while recreating in winter conditions. At a minimum, the orientation should include nature and demands of the trips, safety and emergency procedures, weather conditions, park regulations, wildlife interactions, and Leave No Trace practices.

 

How to Apply for This Activity

1. Apply for a 2025 CUA through the CUA Online Application and Reporting System (COARS).
2. To view tutorials on how to apply for a CUA using COARS please visit: How to Apply for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Permit.
3. 2024 permit holders, please visit Annual Reports and Management Fees to complete and submit reports and pay fees (due by January 31, 2025).
4. For proposed commercial operations taking place prior to December 31, 2024, please contact the Commercial Services Office at [e-mail] for application materials.

 

Resources

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs)
Main CUA page Apply for a CUA FAQs CUA Annual Reports Guide Info Registration and Park Entry Protocol	CUA Law and Policy CUA Denial and Revocation Policy Special Use Permits Backcountry Permits Special Park Conditions
Plan Your Tour	Learn About the Park
Park roads Accessibility Bear Management Areas Fishing Regulations Boating Regulations	Superintendent's Compendium Vital Signs Reports Resources for Commercial Guides Resources and Issues Handbook Foundation Document