Alpine Guides' 1.5-day Mountain Safety Council-accredited Avalanche Awareness program introduces skiers and snowboarders to the skills needed for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
This course is based in Methven, close to Christchurch and Mount Hutt. The first evening covers lots of theory, before a full day at a local ski area, putting this into practice.
Topics Include:
Safe travel in the mountains requires specialised knowledge. Our Avalanche Awareness training provides a base for future learning and allows you to be an active member of a ski touring party.
Topics include:
Trip planning
Gathering and interpreting snow and weather information
Snowpack analysis
Knowledge of the different types of avalanches
Identification of avalanche terrain
Techniques for moving through avalanche terrain
Avalanche rescue techniques and use of equipment
Communication and safe travel techniques
You will need to:
This course is run primarily inside the ski area boundary, but we may need to access terrain off the main ski runs. This could involve skiing off-piste, traversing, or a short hike with your skis or snowboard. Confidence skiing or riding off-piste in all snow conditions is a must.
Minimum Bookings
We need at least 2 participants to run the course. If we can't make the minimums, you've got options: a full refund, a change to a different date, or a bespoke 1:1 session with a tailored fee. We’ll keep you posted well ahead of time so you can plan accordingly.
Ski touring equipment is not required as this course is based primarily inside the ski area boundary.
Provided: Avalanche transceiver, snow shovel and probe
Personal Equiment - please bring these items
Personal Clothing - please bring
Weather Factors
We do our best to work around the weather conditions at the time of the course. The likelihood of a course being cancelled is very low. We have the option to travel to one of several ski areas, giving us a really good chance of spending a day in the snow.
Weather Cancellations
In the very unlikely event that we cannot access any snow due to poor conditions, you will have the option of:
Looking for a personalised experience?
Make it private for a flexible schedule, customised objectives, and one-on-one time with your guide.
