The Avalanche Skills Course 1 (previously known as the Avalanche Awareness Course) is the first step in a lifelong journey of understanding and staying safe from avalanches. The course introduces an awareness of how the terrain and weather can affect the stability of the snowpack and how backcountry travellers can gather and interpret information about the weather and snowpack to plan and safely carry out a journey beyond the ski field boundary. In addition, it also provides instruction and practice of the latest companion rescue techniques.

Avalanche Skills Syllabus

This course replaces the Avalanche Awareness Course. If you have already done this or a similar course, the next step would be the 4-day Avalanche Skills Course 2 or a single-day Avalanche Skills Refresher.

To get the most out of this course, we recommend participants to have previously completed the MSC Online Avalanche Course.

The Avalanche Skills Course 1 syllabus includes the following topics:

• Introduction to avalanche terrain characteristics. This includes recognising potentially dangerous areas using maps and observations in the field.
• Introduction to mountain weather and how current and previous weather conditions can affect the structure and stability of the snowpack and avalanche danger.
• Trip planning techniques, including sources of weather, avalanche, and terrain information.
• The latest avalanche companion rescue techniques, include using a transceiver, shovel, and probe. The field day provides instruction and coaching to use this equipment and a small-party rescue scenario.

For further instruction on backcountry touring skills, combining this course with the Introduction to Ski and Splitboard Touring Course is possible. This combination provides more opportunities to develop the skills of identifying avalanche terrain, applying safe travel techniques, and applying the weather and avalanche forecasts to trip planning. Alternatively, we offer the more comprehensive 3-day Backcountry Ski and Splitboard Touring course that includes the Avalanche Skills Course 1.

What to Expect

Itinerary

The Avalanche Skills Course 1 includes a field day and a theory session. The theory session takes place the evening before the field day from 18:00 to 21:00 at the WMG Base in Albert Town, Wānaka. Transport is available from a central Wanaka location (details on booking).

On the morning of the field day, the group will meet at 8:00 to travel up to Treble Cone for a morning briefing before heading up the lifts. After a full day of practical exercise, we aim to return to the ski field base by 16:00.

Avalanche Skills Course Pricing and Dates

Duration: Evening session and 1 field day

Maximum ratio: 1:6

2025 Dates:

If you can’t make the available dates, please get in touch to arrange alternative dates or private bookings.

2025 Price:

Avalanche Skills Course 1: $350 per person Introduction to Ski and Splitboard Touring Course Combo (2.5 days of avalanche and touring instruction): $700 per person (minimum numbers required) Inclusions: applicable taxes, NZMGA certified guide, Mountain Safety Council resources, avalanche safety gear (if required), transport from Wānaka. Exclusions: food, lift passes, touring equipment hire (if required), and accommodation. Accommodation for participants on our trips and courses can be arranged at our Kea Lodge.

Participants require a Treble Cone lift pass. For those without a season pass, a day touring lift ticket can be purchased on the morning of the field day for $75. To get the most out of this course, you must complete the free MSC Online Avalanche Course beforehand.

Adverse weather or lift closure may prevent the scheduled field day from going ahead. In this instance, it will be rescheduled to an alternative day.

We also run an Avalanche Skills Course for Mountaineers and Trampers focusing on terrain analysis, equipment, and travel considerations for backcountry travel on foot.

See Also