Avalanche Skills Course 1 (ASC1)

Winter recreation in the mountains is almost unbeatable for spectacular scenery, challenge and adventure, or the rejuvenating tranquility…but it comes with the inherent hazard of snow instability.

This 1.5 day course introduces participants to essential avalanche safety skills needed for travelling in snow-covered alpine terrain. It is designed for individuals who would like to spend time travelling in an alpine environment, or outside of ski area boundaries, but have little or no experience with the avalanche phenomenon.

The course covers an introduction to:

Trip planning and preparation
Defining the avalanche phenomenon
Understanding the NZ Avalanche Advisory
Weather, terrain, snowpack and how these relate to avalanche conditions
Travel: Evidence based decision-making about route selection and safe travel techniques
Human factors and decision-making tools
Avalanche rescue

The course is taught in controlled terrain (within a ski area boundary) of low to moderate angle where rope protection is not required for safety and there is little or no exposure to heights. It is delivered above the bush line in a snow-covered environment.

Course prerequisites – participants must:

Be aged 18+ years
Have solid snow movement skills and fitness level appropriate to travel safely for eight hours in alpine terrain and conditions
Be physically capable of walking, skiing, or snowboarding in a variety of snow conditions on moderate-angled terrain
Complete the Online Avalanche Training Module – this online module will help you get the most out of your course.

COURSE OUTLINE

This course includes an evening classroom session (5:30pm-9:00pm) and a field day (8:30am–4:30pm).

Evening Session (at Hillary Outdoors), 5:30pm–9:00pm

Arrive between 5:30pm–6:00pm, having eaten dinner beforehand.
From 6:00pm–9:00pm, we’ll cover key avalanche theory and provide a briefing for the field day.
- Topics include:
  - Avalanche basics
  - Terrain, weather, and snowpack
  - Human factors and decision-making tools
  - Safe travel in avalanche terrain
  - Avalanche rescue
  - Pre-trip planning

Field Day (at Whakapapa Ski Field), 8:30am-4:30pm

Meet your instructor at 8:30am by the public shelter in Iwikau Village (top of Bruce Road). The field day will wrap up around 4:30pm.
- Topics include:
  - Route selection
  - Identifying avalanche terrain
  - Safe travel
  - Companion rescue
  - Snow profile
  - Debrief