Avalanche Safety Training Courses.
Our Snow Safety programmes aim to inform and educate people on how to safely travel in the backcountry and use the relevant equipment in un-patrolled areas. We strive to ensure that our clients will have gained invaluable information for safe travel in and respecting the environment of the alpine areas all over the world.
If you are new to backcountry or simply want to learn how to make safer choices while out riding, a great option is to add an Avalanche Safety course to your trip, which will culminate with an internationally recognised Avalanche Skills Training (AST) certification.
Level one.
Avalanche Skills Training 1 (AST/ATL)
A level 1 course is where you’ll learn the fundamentals of travelling in avalanche terrain. The course comprises of classroom syllabus, which we deliver in the evenings over two nights, while the field portion of the course will take place on the mountain in a single day. This level is suitable for people with basic training and little experience.
At the end of the level 1 course, students should be able to:
Understand the basics of avalanche formation and release.
Identify avalanche terrain.
Know the steps required to plan and carry out a trip.
Use the Avaluator 2.0 as a decision-making tool in areas where trips are rated using the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) and where avalanche bulletins are available.
Find resources for obtaining ATES terrain ratings if their trip is not rated.
Find resources for obtaining avalanche danger ratings and avalanche bulletins if these are not available.
Use appropriate travel techniques in avalanche terrain.
Carry out a companion rescue.
Understand the limits of their training.
Level 2
Avalanche Skills Training 2 (AST/ATL)
A level 2 course builds on the foundations of your level 1, and provides an intermediate decision-making framework for travelling in avalanche terrain.
This course comprises a minimum of 9.5 hours of classroom instruction (delivered over 3 evenings) with a minimum of three days in the field.
Level 2 is suitable for people with a moderate degree of training and experience and who have taken an level 1 course.
At the end of the level 2 course, students should be able to:
Use the Avaluator 2.0 as a filtering tool to determine when additional planning and travel techniques are required to travel safely.
Be familiar with Avalanche Danger Ratings verification techniques for personal use on a local scale.
Be familiar with the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) technical model as a means to develop personal, local terrain ratings.
Use route-finding to take advantage of nuances in terrain to manage personal risk.
Use travel techniques in avalanche terrain appropriate to the avalanche conditions.
Proficiently carry out a companion rescue.
Understand the limits of their training.
