The training is based on the curriculum and training system used by the Austrian Ski and Mountain Guides Association!
If you are also a winter sports enthusiast and enjoy off-piste sliding, snowshoeing or ski touring, then it is highly recommended that you attend regular avalanche awareness training. This is an area that cannot be practised enough, because every second counts in a live situation!
I've structured the courses so that beginners will have no trouble understanding and repeat students will learn new things. The process is simple, we start from the basics and work our way deeper and deeper into the snowpack. You'll learn easy-to-understand risk analysis methods that you'll be able to use at the end of the course to decide the danger of a particular slope and thus plan and then implement your own hike.
And most importantly, all in a safe environment!
And what exactly will it be about?!
-10/10
-Tour planning -Basic knowledge of orientation -Weather -Field knowledge -Types of avalanches and their development
-5 main avalanche problems -Risk management -What to do if an accident happened? -Practical rescue -Required equipment and its correct use -Emergency basic knowledge -Avalanche bulletin interpretation -Avoiding dangerous areas -Moving in a dangerous area if no other option is available -Signs of danger -Snowpack tests
The course
Day 1
Meet at 10 am at the accommodation, theory with small breaks, dinner and packing for the next day. The main topics of the day will be rescue, avalanche and snow skills.
Day 2
After breakfast, we head to the mountain to put into practice what we learned the day before. This day will focus on rescue, its organisation and practice. In the evening, back at the lodge for theory, where tests, snowpack analysis, terrain knowledge and orientation will be the main topics.
Day 3
After breakfast, we will try to complete the hike planned the day before, avoiding dangerous places. In between, we will stop and take a deeper look at the snow layer and its analysis.
The location will be worked out 1-2 weeks before the course, always based on snow conditions. In general, however, I plan to stay in the middle of Austria. In case of snow shortage, the training will be postponed to a later date.
Price: €220, which includes instruction and a guided tour. (Returning participants always pay last year’s price!)
It also includes a summary PDF and a private Facebook group membership where I regularly share updates on avalanche and equipment topics.
Not included:
Accommodation. We’ll leave this until the last minute and book once we know what the snow conditions are like. (Prices from €50–60 per person per night)
The necessary equipment. Limited availability of beacons, probes, shovels, avalanche backpacks, snowshoes and trekking poles for rent.
The journey. Here, it's worth thinking in terms of a full car system and I'll help you organise the participants.
If snow is only available in higher regions, you may need to rent a lift. The cost of this depends on the current ski area and is not included in the course fee.
Equipment rental:
Transceiver, shovel, and probe set for €30 for the duration of the course. (Pieps and Black Diamond)
Avalanche backpack 40€ for the duration of the course (Pieps Jetforce Pro 34, Mammut Snowpulse 18 or 35)
Complete avalanche set 60€ for the duration of the course.
Snowshoe and trekking poles 15€ for the duration of the course (TSL)
A minimum of 4 people are required to attend the course.
