What Utah Avalanche Center does

Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public safety organization, established in 1980 in collaboration with the US Forest Service and structured since 1990 as the "Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center" (Tax ID 87-0481453). It provides daily avalanche danger ratings, avalanche problem classifications, and travel advice across eight geographic forecast regions in Utah (Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake, Uintas, Provo, Skyline, Moab, and Abajos), plus an extension into southeast Idaho and southwest Wyoming. Core technical products include the daily Avalanche Forecasting Service, the Observations Explorer (a crowdsourced field-report platform), an Avalanche Database and Fatalities Database (archive dating to 1877), real-time Mountain Weather integration with National Weather Service data, and standardized avalanche danger rose visualizations.

The technology stack integrates snowpack observations, weather station telemetry, field-submitted reports, and NWS meteorological insights into forecaster-authored daily danger ratings distributed via website (utahavalanchecenter.org), mobile application, phone hotline (888-999-4019), SMS/email subscription, social media, and a podcast. Education products include on-snow courses (Level 1, Level 2, Avalanche Rescue, Backcountry 101) and the Know Before You Go (KBYG) awareness program launched in 2005 that has reached 200,000+ Utahns with 2M+ video views since 2015. The organization has hired a Research and Technology Program Manager (PhD in meteorological processes) tasked with developing machine learning-based decision support tools for forecasters.

Revenue mechanics rest on a diversified nonprofit funding stack. Approximately two-thirds of program funding is raised via the nonprofit arm through individual donations, foundation grants, annual membership subscriptions (three tiers from $120 to $600 annually), and event revenue (the 33rd annual Backcountry Benefit). The remaining one-third comes from US Forest Service appropriations, State of Utah, and Salt Lake County. Corporate sponsorships are tier-structured from Low ($500-$1,000) to Extreme ($20,000+) and include Backcountry.com, Backcountry Access, Deer Valley, Park City, Ski-Doo/BRP, Mammut, and KUHL. The 18-person organization operates with 8 full-time and 2 part-time avalanche forecasters, no parent company, no venture funding, and is governed by a volunteer board.

Name

Utah Avalanche Center

Legal name

Friends of the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center

Website

https://utahavalanchecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Utah Avalanche Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing daily avalanche forecasts, field observation infrastructure, and avalanche safety education across eight Utah mountain regions, serving backcountry skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, and partner government agencies in partnership with the US Forest Service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Avalanche Safety and Forecasting Services

akta.pro primary industry

Mountain Safety & Patrol Services (Avalanche Training, Rescue, Medical) (THAAAJAI)

Keywords

• Avalanche forecasting services
• Avalanche safety education
• Backcountry safety information
• Mountain weather forecasts
• Public avalanche awareness

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual and monthly membership contributions providing tax-deductible donations supporting avalanche forecasting, education, and awareness programs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Financial support from outdoor recreation businesses at Extreme ($20,000+), High ($10,000-$20,000), Considerable ($4,000-$9,999), Moderate ($1,000-$3,999), and Low ($500-$1,000) tiers.
3. Event Revenue: Annual Backcountry Benefit event generates revenue through ticket sales, with proceeds supporting daily forecasts and programs.
4. Government Grants: Funding from US Forest Service, State of Utah, and Salt Lake County government sources, comprising about 1/3 of total program funding.
5. Private Donations: Individual donations and grants from private foundations supporting nonprofit operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Utah Avalanche Center provides daily avalanche danger forecasts across eight Utah mountain regions, integrating weather data, snowpack observations, and National Weather Service insights to produce danger ratings and avalanche problem assessments. It complements forecasting with on-snow avalanche education courses (Level 1, Level 2, Avalanche Rescue, Backcountry 101), the Know Before You Go (KBYG) free avalanche awareness program, a mobile application, an interactive observations database, and a public observation submission system. All forecasting and educational services are provided free to the public as a public safety mission of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

The Utah Avalanche Center offers a unified suite of public safety services centered on avalanche forecasting, education, and awareness. The core offering consists of daily avalanche forecasts across eight Utah geographic regions, supported by an interactive Observations Explorer for community-submitted field data, an extensive avalanche and fatalities database, and mountain weather information. Education products include on-snow courses (Level 1, Level 2, Avalanche Rescue, Backcountry 101/201) and the online Know Before You Go (KBYG) program. All services are provided free to the public via the organization's website and mobile application.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Know Before You Go (KBYG): Avalanche awareness program launched in 2005 to teach school-age children and adults about avalanche dangers. The program has reached over 200,000 Utahns and the current video and materials have been viewed over 2 million times since 2015.

Products and services

• Avalanche Forecasting Service Daily avalanche forecasts across eight Utah mountain regions providing danger ratings (Low to Extreme), detailed avalanche problem identification with location rose, likelihood and size assessments, recent avalanche activity, travel advice, and mountain weather information for backcountry users.
• Observations Explorer Interactive map and list-based tool allowing users to search and filter field observations, avalanche reports, and snow profiles by date, region, observer type, and avalanche problem.
• On-Snow Avalanche Education Courses In-person avalanche education courses including Level 1, Level 2, Avalanche Rescue, Backcountry 101, and motorized-specific courses offered throughout Utah's backcountry regions, serving over 1,000 students per season across 50+ courses.
• Avalanche eLearning Online learning platform featuring Know Before You Go (KBYG) free courses and tutorials from partner organizations including Ortovox Safety Academy, Mountain Training Center, BCA, and others.
• Know Before You Go (KBYG) Program Free avalanche awareness program for schools and communities, having reached over 200,000 Utahns since 2005 with materials viewed over 2 million times since 2015 via in-person presentations and online videos.
• Mobile Application Smartphone application providing access to avalanche forecasts, danger ratings, and mountain weather information on-the-go, with push notifications for danger changes and avalanche warnings.
• Mountain Weather Forecasts Regional weather forecasts, satellite imagery, radar data, weather cameras, and Snotel site information organized by Utah forecast areas, integrated into avalanche forecasting.
• Membership Program Annual and monthly membership contributions at Ridge ($120/year or $10/month), Cirque ($300/year or $25/month), and Peak ($600/year) tiers providing tax-deductible donations supporting avalanche forecasting, education, and awareness programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000+ people reached through KBYG program since 2005
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• US Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary governmental partner since 1980. The Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center is responsible for avalanche forecasting and accident investigation. USFS provides federal funding and operational support.
• National Weather Service (Salt Lake City)coreTechnology or IntegrationLongstanding relationship providing meteorological insights about winter storms and snowpack stability to support forecasting operations.
• Utah Department of TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination on UDOT avalanche closures and sharing of up-to-date information for public safety on state roads.
• Utah Department of Public SafetycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for public safety initiatives and emergency response coordination.
• Utah Office of Outdoor RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partnership supporting outdoor recreation safety initiatives.
• Backcountry.com (Extreme Sponsor - $20,000+)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor outdoor recreation retailer providing significant financial and marketing support to the UAC.
• Backcountry Access (Extreme Sponsor - $20,000+)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading avalanche safety equipment manufacturer supporting UAC programs.
• Deer Valley (Extreme Sponsor - $20,000+)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Utah ski resort providing significant financial support.
• Park City Mountain Resort (Extreme Sponsor - $20,000+)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Utah ski resort providing significant financial support.
• Ski-Doo (BRP) (Extreme Sponsor - $20,000+)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSnowmobile manufacturer supporting motorized backcountry safety.
• Mammut (Extreme Sponsor - $20,000+)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor apparel and gear brand supporting UAC.
• KUHL (Extreme Sponsor - $20,000+)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor apparel brand supporting UAC programs.
• Black Diamond Equipment (High Sponsor - $10,000-$20,000)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor outdoor equipment manufacturer supporting UAC.
• Alta Ski Area (High Sponsor - $10,000-$20,000)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric Utah ski area supporting avalanche safety.
• Snowbird (High Sponsor - $10,000-$20,000)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Utah ski resort supporting UAC.
• Local Search and Rescue TeamscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination with county and regional SAR teams for avalanche response and safety.
• Ski Resorts (Multiple)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ski areas for information sharing, safety coordination, and avalanche control support.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center: Avalanche center covering the Jackson Hole/Teton region with daily forecasts, observer networks, and education. Highly comparable scope, mission, and operational structure to UAC.
• Colorado Avalanche Information Center: Colorado's state-affiliated avalanche forecasting center, operating under a similar nonprofit-USFS collaboration model. CAIC is the most direct peer, providing daily forecasts across Colorado's mountainous regions with comparable educational programs and backcountry user focus.
• Northwest Avalanche Center: Avalanche forecasting center serving Washington and Oregon with daily forecasts and education programs. Operates with a comparable nonprofit structure and serves overlapping backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobile user segments.
• Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center: Avalanche center serving the Greater Yellowstone Area of Montana with daily forecasts and educational programming. GNFAC is among the closest direct peers given similar USFS partnership structure, backcountry recreation focus, and nonprofit funding model.
• American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE): National organization that sets curriculum standards for avalanche education in the US. Comparable through shared educational mission — AIARE certifies instructors and partners with centers like UAC to deliver Level 1/2 courses and motorized-specific curriculum.
• Mount Washington Avalanche Center: Avalanche forecasting center for the Presidential Range in New Hampshire. Operates with a similar nonprofit-USFS model and provides daily forecasts plus education, though at a smaller geographic scale than UAC.
• Sierra Avalanche Center: Avalanche forecasting center serving California's Sierra Nevada with daily forecasts and education. Directly comparable mission, geographic specialization, and nonprofit funding model.
• Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center: Avalanche center serving Alaska's Chugach region — a high-activity backcountry zone with substantial snowmobile and heli-skiing use. Operates with USFS partnership and provides directly comparable forecasting and education services.

Others

• American Avalanche Association: Professional membership organization for US avalanche workers. UAC's forecasting director Paige Pagnucco is actively involved with AAA, and Brett Kobernik has done web work for the association — making it a key ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• National Ski Patrol: Large established national organization focused on mountain safety, education, and rescue across US ski areas. Broader and more generalized than UAC's backcountry-forecasting focus, but overlapping on avalanche education, rescue protocols, and safety training.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/utavy_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@utahavalanchecenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/Utah.Avalanche.Center
• Instagraminstagram.com/utavy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Utah Avalanche Center