
Week/ Module	Overview	Graded Activities and Assignments
1	The Secrets Utah is famous for its "Greatest Snow on Earth," but does the marketing slogan hold up to scientific scrutiny? This module explores the factors that enable great powder skiing, the history of Utah's "Greatest Snow on Earth" slogan, and the evidence supporting Utah's claim.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Skiing and Weather in Metric Scenario 2: Snow Water Content
2	Wasatch Microclimates When it comes to snow, some Utah ski resorts are more fortunate than others. This module explores the microclimates of the Wasatch Range, which rises abruptly to the east of the cities of Ogden, Salt Lake, and Provo in northern Utah and runs from just south of the Utah-Idaho border to central Utah (see Figure 1.3 of Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth). We will examine where it snows the most, where it snows the least, and under what conditions you can find deep powder at your favorite ski resort.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Topographic Maps Scenario 2: Contour Maps Scenario 3: The Truth about Snow in the Wasatch Range
3	Understanding Wasatch Microclimates If you want to find powder, it helps to know how mountains generate snow. This module examines the mechanisms that affect the distribution and intensity of snowfall in mountainous regions. We will continue our focus on the Wasatch Range, but will begin to broaden our understanding to other mountainous regions as well.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Skiing in the Transition Zone Scenario 2: Atmospheric Pressure and Altitude Scenario 3: Flow Direction and Orographic Precipitation
4	Snow Climates of North America Some of the best skiing in the world can be found in North America. Even in areas that have marginal snow climates, such as the eastern United States, great skiing can be found under the right conditions. This module examines the geography and snow climates of North America and their effect on winter recreation.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Snow in the Northeast United States Scenario 2: Utah vs. Colorado Snowfall Scenario 3: Importance of Aspect
5	Snow Climates Beyond North America As far as mountains and snow go, you may find your skiing "Shangri-La" beyond North America. This module examines the geography and snow climates of the world including the European Alps, New Zealand Alps, Andes, and Japan.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Ski Trip to Switzerland Scenario 2: Finding Powder in Hokkaido
6	Flaky Science If you look carefully, you'll find a stew of water and ice particles known as hydrometeors in winter storms. This module examines these particles and the inner workings of winter storms, which meteorologists refer to as microphysical processes.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Snow Crystal Identification Scenario 2: Secrets of Snowmaking
7	Lake Effect Utah skiers love the Great Salt Lake Effect because it often adds to the snow totals of winter storms in portions of the Wasatch Range. Meteorologists, however, refer to it as the Dreaded Lake Effect (DLE) because it is so difficult to forecast. This module examines the processes that lead to lake-effect storms, with a focus on the Great Salt Lake of northern Utah.	Discussion Knowledge Check Midterm Exam
8	Alta Goes to War On many winter mornings, snow-safety professionals "go to war" in Little Cottonwood Canyon to reduce the threat of avalanches to the highway and Alta and Snowbird ski resorts. This module examines everything that happens in Little Cottonwood Canyon so you can go skiing, as well as proposed plans to reduce avalanche hazards and traffic along State Route 210, the Utah state highway that ascends the canyon. Little Cottonwood Canyon resides in the central Wasatch Range roughly 15 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: The Future of Little Cottonwood Canyon
9	Avalanche Fundamentals Avalanche accidents happen when the perception of risk does not match reality. This module examines avalanche fundamentals that serve as a foundation for evaluating risk, including avalanche causes, types, and terrain.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Utah Avalanche Accidents Scenario 2: Snow, Weather, Terrain, and Avalanches
10	Avalanche Awareness and Human Factors in Avalanche Accidents In 90% of avalanche accidents, the victim or someone in the victim’s party triggered the avalanche. This module explores how you can improve your avalanche awareness, including how to interpret avalanche danger ratings and forecasts, and why choice, not chance, causes most avalanche accidents.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Heuristic Traps in Backcountry Avalanche Terrain Scenario 2: Human Factors in Utah Avalanche Accidents
11	Powder Predictions - Observations Knowledge of the recent and current weather enables you to better pursue your winter-sports interests and address challenges posed by winter weather in mountain regions. This module examines three major types of meteorological observations and how they can be used to monitor and forecast the weather: satellite imagery, radar imagery, and ground-based surface weather observations.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Ski Area Weather Scenario 2: Interpreting Radar Scenario 3: How Fat is the Snowpack?
12	Powder Predictions - Model Forecasts Forecasts produced by computer modeling systems are the backbone of modern weather prediction. In this module, we will learn how to use these forecasts to predict mountain weather, with a focus on snowfall.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Meteorological Time Scenario 2: Cottonwood Canyons Forecast Scenario 3: Forecasting Snow with Computer Models
13	Climate Change and Snow - Recent Trends and Causes There is no longer any scientific doubt that the Earth’s average temperature is increasing, with accompanying changes to Arctic sea ice, ice sheets, glaciers, and sea level. In this module, we examine the evidence for and causes of these trends.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Exploring our Changing Climate Scenario 2: Exploring Glacier Change
14	Future Climate Change and the Fate of Skiing What do scientists project for future climate change and the future of snow? In this module, we examine climate projections for the twenty-first century and their implications for skiing.	Discussion Knowledge Check Scenario 1: Climate Change Impacts on Park City Mountain Resort Scenario 2: Ski Tourism Risk in the Northeast United States
15	Course Review Throughout this course, you’ve learned the secrets of the "Greatest Snow on Earth." You can now summarize key ingredients for great powder skiing and the evidence supporting Utah’s claim to the “Greatest Snow on Earth.”	Final Exam