Completing a Course

The Avalanche Skills Course 1 (ASC1) is an introduction to handling avalanche conditions in New Zealand. It will guide you through making decisions about personal safety when travelling in avalanche terrain.

The ASC1 is designed for individuals who would like to spend time travelling in an alpine environment, outside of ski area boundaries, but have little or no experience with the avalanche phenomenon. The course focuses on defining avalanches, understanding and interpreting the NZ Avalanche Advisory and weather forecast, personal preparation, route decision-making and rescue skills. It will suit those who are interested in learning about the basics of travelling in an alpine environment and those who may encounter low-angled snow and alpine terrain as part of a skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, tramping, hunting, or other outdoor trip.

The course covers an introduction to:

●       Trip planning and preparation

●       Defining the avalanche phenomenon

●       Using the NZ Avalanche Advisory

●       Weather, terrain, snowpack factors relating to avalanche conditions

●       Safe travel techniques and decision-making in avalanche terrain

●       Human factors and decision-making tools

●       Avalanche rescue

This course is taught over 1.5 - 2 days.

The Avalanche Skills Course 2 (ASC2) is a continuation of learning for those who have participated in an Avalanche Skills Course 1 (Avalanche Awareness) and have built up some backcountry experience. It will continue to develop your decision-making skills around safety when travelling in avalanche terrain.

The course will suit those who have a basic understanding of avalanche phenomena and spend time travelling in alpine terrain as part of tramping trips, hunting, mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding or other outdoor experiences. It is not for beginners entering the alpine environment. The course reinforces what was learnt in an Avalanche Skills Course 1 and expands on personal preparation, snow tests, snow metamorphism, route decision-making and rescue skills. It will suit those who are interested in progressing with their avalanche skills sets and are looking to gain knowledge to allow them to cautiously approach more challenging avalanche terrain when in the backcountry.

This course focuses on:

●       Trip planning and preparation

●       Avalanche formation

●       Weather, terrain, snowpack factors relating to avalanche conditions

●       Basic snowpack metamorphism

●       Using the NZ Avalanche Advisory

●       Safe travel techniques and decision-making in avalanche terrain

●       Snow tests

●       Human factors and decision-making tools, including mindset

●       Avalanche rescue

This course is taught over 4 days, including time spent on snow in the backcountry.

Central North Island

• Hillary Outdoors (ASC1 + ASC2)
• New Zealand Alpine Club (ASC1 + ASC2)

Nelson Lakes

• Rotoiti Lodge Outdoor Education Centre (ASC1 + ASC2)

Canterbury 

• Anna Keeling Guiding Ltd (ASC1 + ASC2)
• Alpine Guides (ASC1 + ASC2)
• Alpine Recreation (ASC1 + ASC2)
• Broken River (ASC1 + ASC2)
• Canterbury Mountaineering Club (ASC1 + ASC2)
• Chill (ASC1 + ASC2)
• New Zealand Alpine Club (ASC1 + ASC2)
• New Zealand Snow Safety Institute (ASC1 + ASC2)
• OENZ - Outdoor Education New Zealand Ltd (ASC1 + ASC2)
• Peel Forest Outdoor Centre (ASC1)

Wanaka + Queenstown

• Aspiring Guides (ASC1 + ASC2)
• Basecamp Adventures (ASC1 + ASC2)
• Mountain Hut NZ (ASC1 + ASC2)
• NZSleds (ASC1)
• Peak Experience (ASC1 + ASC2)
• Queenstown Mountain Guides (ASC1 + ASC2)
• Summit Explorers (ASC1 + ASC2)
• Wanaka Mountain Guides (ASC1 + ASC2)