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Avalanche Skills for Mountaineers

Avalanche Education

Avalanche Skills for Mountaineers

Overview

The Avalanche Skills course for mountaineers and trampers is the essential first step in a lifelong journey of avalanche safety. Focused on foot-based travel, this course builds a fundamental understanding of how terrain and weather influence snowpack stability. Participants learn to gather and interpret critical data to plan and execute safe trips in the New Zealand mountains. We specifically examine how climbers are exposed to avalanche hazards and how to manage that risk, alongside hands-on instruction in the latest companion rescue techniques.
Alpine ascent on Mount Dixon in snowy conditions.

Itinerary

The Avalanche Skills Course for Mountaineers 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 in Wānaka.

On the morning of the field day, the group will meet at 8:00 to travel up to Cardrona for a morning briefing and gear check before heading up into the backcountry. After a full day of practical exercise, we aim to return to the ski field base by 16:00.

Avalanche Skills Course 1 Logo

We recommend completing the MSC Online Avalanche Course prior to attending this course.

Avalanche Skills for Mountaineers Syllabus

Course syllabus includes:

  • Terrain analysis, including identifying avalanche terrain, maintaining situational awareness of terrain traps and understanding consequences.
  • Identifying and predicting avalanche conditions and monitoring conditions on foot.
  • Decision-making, strategies for short weather windows and commitment.
  • Safe travel techniques, including awareness and managing conflicting hazards.
  • Equipment management including limitations of roping and anchors.
  • Trip planning including applying the avalanche forecast to high mountain routes.
  • Avalanche companion rescue including multiple transceiver problems and avoiding transceiver, probing, and digging pitfalls

Syllabus

Equipment

All participants must be equipped for backcountry travel with suitable clothing and eyewear. Crampons or snowshoes may be required for access and can be provided. Avalanche safety gear including a transceiver, shovel, and probe are also required and can be provided.

Difficulty & Fitness

Dates & Pricing

Availability

25th/26th July: Places available

Can't make theses, get in touch to arrange other group or private dates.

Pricing

Group price NZ$390 per person

Inclusions & Exclusions

Includes: GST, guide fees, compliance costs, avalanche equipment, ice axe and crampons or snowshoes (if required) and transport from Wanaka.

Excludes: Lunch and snacks

Register Interest

Testimonials

[Our instructor] was excellent at communicating and explaining the content. He did it in a way that was easy to learn and not too much all at once. Super nice guy.

— Kayden, Backcountry Ski and Splitboard Course

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