Professional Avalanche Course:
Description
A course for professionals and committed skiers with many years experience of off piste skiing, who would like to develop and formalise their understanding of the snowpack and avalanche awareness. |
The objective of the course is to give the participant an in depth knowledge of snow structure, the process of change within it and, through field experience, develop recognition of snow pack stability and therefore confidence in ascertaining potential avalanche risk. After relevant mountain training you should be able to travel in potential avalanche risk terrain and to make educated decisions regarding route choice and avoidance of threatened areas.
The course is formatted to an internationally recognised standard and has been developed with the Canadian Avalanche Association and adapted to the European Alpine Environment.
The course is intensive and rewarding; it has been attended by International Mountain Guides, ski patrollers, ski instructors, ski operators, ski film cameramen, enthusiastic and committed skiers and ski bums.
Activities
The days start at approx 8.30am with lectures, followed by activities on the mountain on ski. Returning in the afternoon, we will summarise our field activities and continue with a lecture prior to finishing before our evening meal which starts at 7.30/8 p.m.
The subjects covered during the 5 days will include:
Snow crystal types and changing processes |
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Avalanche types |
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Route finding in avalanche terrain whilst descending on ski |
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How the weather influences the snowpack |
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Field stability tests |
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Locations for snowpits and methods of snowpack observation |
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How to understand and interpret snowprofile information |
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Developing an understanding of snow hazard evaluation and the hazard scale |
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Self rescue systems and survival aspect in avalanche situations |
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Planning a ski tour or ski descent considering avalanche risk and other mountain hazards |
Certification
The course is certified and students who are successful will be awarded a certificate after showing the required level of ability in the following areas:
Site choice for a snow profile pit, accuracy of data recording |
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Identification of crystal types, potential shear planes |
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Interpretation of snow profile Information |
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Accurate weather observation and its influence on the snowpack |
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Terrain evaluation, with respect to potential avalanche risk and route choice |
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Search and retrieval of two buried 'victims' in 30m sq. area using an avalanche transceiver and probe in a time limit |
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Accuracy and clarity of field book |
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Snow stability assessment and hazard evaluation using snow profile, snow history, weather forecasts and terrain observation etc. |
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Weather and snow observation in the study plot |
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Written examination |
Equipment to bring
Downhill off piste skiing and ski touring will be undertaken during the week so bring the relevant equipment along with you. If you have them, please bring along the following equipment with you:
Avalanche transceiver |
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Snow shovel |
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3m. avalanche probe |
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8x stand magnifier |
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2m rule and crystal screen |
Some items can be bought from us at resort.