Winter Avalanche Courses

The mountains are a huge playground. The excitement, however, sometimes comes at a cost. Every year people are seriously injured or killed in avalanches. As mountain users we have a responsibility to minimise the risk presented by the snow and the mountains. The course is taught in a form that is easy to understand and memorise, so it can be later used as a regularly used ON THE HILL CHECK.

Avalanche Course Level I

In this 2-day course, all of our time will be spent in the field creating an "On the Hill Check" process. This course is aimed at all mountain users who want to learn the newest techniqes in snow safety and rescue.

What you can expect to learn

How to recognise avalanche terrain
Different types of snow crystals within the snow pack that lead to instability
How to recognise weather and terrain features that lead to instability
Field tests that help evaluate stability/instability
Safe and efficient transceiver use
The newest rescue techniques

Avalanche Course Level II

The level 2 avalanche course is a 3-day intensive avalanche course. Most of our time will be spent in the field. In this course will also be included a ski mountaineering day. It is recomended that all students have completed the "Avalanche Course 1"

What you can expect to learn

Understand variability and complexity of avalanche terrain
Identify grain types and the basic physical processes leading to them
Perform and interpret common stability tests
Apply objective decision making methods while travelling through avalanche terrain
Develop a comprehensive "On The Hill Check" process

Course Costs and Info

Cost Level 1) 225.- Swiss Francs (per person)
Cost Level 2) 325.- Swiss Francs (per person)
Next year's course dates - various dates the whole dec 2009..
Number of people per course - min 4 pers max 10 pers
Course language, English & German
Group prices can be arranged ( min 4 pers )
Venue ZERMATT Switzerland

Included in the course price

Transceiver, Harness, Probe, Shovel and Instruction