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
 
Avalanche types
 
Route finding in avalanche terrain whilst descending on ski
 
How the weather influences the snowpack
 
Field stability tests
 
Locations for snowpits and methods of snowpack observation
 
How to understand and interpret snowprofile information
 
Developing an understanding of snow hazard evaluation and the hazard scale
 
Self rescue systems and survival aspect in avalanche situations
 
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
 
Identification of crystal types, potential shear planes
 
Interpretation of snow profile Information
 
Accurate weather observation and its influence on the snowpack
 
Terrain evaluation, with respect to potential avalanche risk and route choice
 
Search and retrieval of two buried 'victims' in 30m sq. area using an avalanche transceiver and probe in a time limit
 
Accuracy and clarity of field book
 
Snow stability assessment and hazard evaluation using snow profile, snow history, weather forecasts and terrain observation etc.
 
Weather and snow observation in the study plot
 
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
 
Snow shovel
 
3m. avalanche probe
 
8x stand magnifier
 
2m rule and crystal screen

Some items can be bought from us at resort.