Avalanche Training Australia in conjunction with Avalanche NZ is proud to offer accredited 2-day Avalanche Awareness and 4-day Backcountry Avalanche Avoidance courses during the 2018 Australian winter.

These will be held out of Falls Creek in north eastern Victoria.

Avalanche Training Australia is the only training provider running these New Zealand accredited courses outside NZ. The provision of these worldwide recognised courses allows both industry professionals and recreational backcountry enthusiasts the chance to gain practical skills during the Australian winter that they can take with them wherever they travel in the mountains throughout the world.

Staffed by accredited skilled trainers who have run these successful educational programs for multiple years in Japan, New Zealand & Australia, our course dates for Victoria 2018 are;

Avalanche Awareness 2 Day Course

Designed for people that want to step out past the resort boundaries and learn the fundamentals of avalanche avoidance. This 2-day course will have a mixture of theory and practical application in the field. The focus of this course will surround avalanche terrain identification and own party rescue.

Learning outcomes:
Participants are expected to complete this program with a general awareness of:

  • The avalanche phenomenon
  • Issues related to decision making
  • Terrain identification and safe travel techniques
  • Practical techniques for companion rescue

Assessment:
This course does not have a formal assessment component, but the provider issues an official certificate of attendance at the completion of the course.

Prerequisites:
Solid movement skills on snow (ski, snowboard, telemark, cross-country, snowshoe)

Falls Creek Avalanche Awareness course dates:                           

24 – 25 August

26 – 27 August

29 – 30 August

31 August – 1 September

Cost:  $300.00

 

Backcountry Avalanche Avoidance 4 Day Course

The next step on avalanche education pathway is the 4-day Backcountry Avalanche Avoidance Course. When travelling in the backcountry, identifying avalanche terrain is a must. Great days can be had during higher periods of danger if you can read the terrain you are in. This 4-day course will begin to teach the students how to pre-trip plan for a day out past the rope lines and look at weather forecasting & basic avalanche forecasting to have a safe day in the snow.

Learning outcomes:
On completion, the participant will have a theoretical knowledge of:

  • Characteristics of the avalanche phenomenon
  • Snowpack factors (layers, crystal ID, basic metamorphism)
  • Observation techniques
  • Human factors in decision making
  • Group travel in avalanche terrain
  • Small party search and rescue

Assessment:
This course has a formal assessment of avalanche rescue skills and on successful completion; the provider issues a ‘Certificate of Competence’.

Course Prerequisites:
Participants must:

  • Be 16 years of age
  • Have a fitness level appropriate to travel safely for 8 hrs in backcountry terrain and conditions.
  • Be physically capable of walking, skiing or snowboarding in a variety of snow conditions on a moderate angled terrain.
  • Have attended an NZ Avalanche Awareness course, AST1 or a similar level of knowledge.

Falls Creek Backcountry Avalanche course dates:

24 – 27 August

29 August – 1 September

Cost:  $300.00

Required Equipment:
You will require full ski clothes and equipment.  You will also require the basic backcountry kit:

  • A backcountry backpack that is specially designed to carry skis/snowboard (if you are not skinning).
  • Avalanche transceiver (Digital is mandatory.  3 antenna digital is highly recommended!)
  • Avalanche probe
  • Avalanche shovel
  • Either snowshoes or climbing skins and touring bindings & poles
  • Sunglasses and goggles
  • Sun cream
  • Warm jacket
  • Packed lunch, snacks and water

These courses are not only important skill sets to obtain if you plan on travelling in the backcountry but can also be used as a pathway to jobs in the snow industry. They provide the prerequisites for professional courses in the study of Avalanche Phenomena as well as a requirement for Instructors to obtain the ISIA stamp.

Victorian private courses are available upon request.

NOTE – One lucky participant will WIN a full course fee refund, drawn at the completion of all courses for 2018

Falls Creek course locations:

Classroom work will be held at Holman’s Gap, 2587 Bogong High Plains Rd, Falls Creek

Field days will be held around Mt McKay & Falls Creek Resort area

For further information please follow the link www.avalanchetraining.com.au