Avalanche Awareness 2 Day Course

$350 per person

The avalanche awareness programme provides essential introductory information for backcountry users, who need the basic knowledge required to help them make decisions about their personal safety when in avalanche terrain.

The course provides foundation knowledge only and we recommend that course participants travel in the backcountry with experienced leaders until they have gained sufficient understanding of avalanche phenomena to make sound judgements for themselves.

The course comprises a theory session & field days. Field days are focused on practical work on snow.

Prerequisites:
Solid movement skills on snow (ski, snowboard, telemark, cross-country, snowshoe)

Learning outcomes:
Participants are expected to complete this program with a general awareness of:

The avalanche phenomenon
Issues related to decision making
Terrain identification and safe travel techniques
Practical techniques for companion rescue

Assessment:
This course does not have a formal assessment component but the provider issues an official certificate of attendance at the completion of the course.

Required Equipment:
You will require full ski clothes and equipment. You will also require the basic backcountry kit:

A backpack
Avalanche transceiver (Digital is mandatory. 3 antenne digital is highly recommended!)
Avalanche probe
Avalanche shovel
Touring or snowshoe equipment
Sunglasses and goggles
Sun cream
Warm jacket
Packed lunch and water

Course Dates 2024:

JINDABYNE NEW SOUTH WALES Avalanche Awareness 2 Day Course:

13 - 14 July
3 - 4 August
31 August - 1 September
Other course dates & Private bookings on request - minimum numbers required. Please contact us to get in touch for more information or to book.

FALLS CREEK VICTORIA AVALANCHE AWARENESS 2 DAY COURSE DATES:

Private courses on request only for 2024 (minimum 8 participants). Please contact us to get in touch for more information or to book.

Backcountry Avalanche Avoidance 4 Day Course

$4800 - Private courses on request only for 2023 (minimum 6 participants)

Enquiries

This 4-day course is designed for individuals who spend time travelling in an alpine environment, outside of ski area boundaries and focuses on applying the skills of personal preparation, route decision making and rescue skills. The course focuses on avoiding the need for avalanche related rescue, but also dedicate time to learning the technical skills required for rescuing a companion or small party.

It will suit those who have a basic understanding of avalanche phenomena and spend time travelling in an alpine terrain as part of a skiing, snowboarding trip or outdoor experience.

This is the next step on the avalanche educational pathway after taking the 2-day Avalanche Awareness Course.

The course is taught in uncontrolled terrain (outside of a ski area boundary) of low to moderate-angles where rope protection is not required for safety. There may be some exposure to heights.

This course is also a prerequisite for gaining an ISIA Stamp.

The course covers:

Trip planning and preparation.
Environment: weather, terrain, snowpack and how these relate to avalanche conditions.
Travel: Evidence based decision making about route selection and safe travel techniques.
Emergencies, rescue, equipment and what to do.

Course Prerequisites:
Participants must:

Be 16 years of age
Have a fitness level appropriate to travel safely for 8 hrs in backcountry terrain and conditions.
Be physically capable of walking, skiing or snowboarding in a variety of snow conditions on a moderate angled terrain.
Have attended an MSC Avalanche Awareness course, AST1 or a similar level of knowledge.

Learning outcomes:
On completion, the participant will have a theoretical knowledge of:

Characteristics of the avalanche phenomenon
Snowpack factors (layers, crystal ID, basic metamorphism)
Observation techniques
Human factors in decision making
Group travel in avalanche terrain
Small party search and rescue

Assessment:
This course has a formal assessment of avalanche rescue skills and on successful completion; the provider issues a ‘Certificate of Competence’.