The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has provided avalanche awareness training for more than 25 years.
The Avalanche Awareness course for skiers, snowboarders, climbers, hunters and trampers is the first step to gaining an appreciation of the avalanche phenomenon and what is required to make decisions about personal safety when travelling in avalanche terrain.
The Backcountry Avalanche course is the next step in the development of observation, route finding and decision making skills that are critical for winter recreation in the mountains.
Both courses focus on avoiding the need for avalanche related rescue, but also dedicate time to learning the technical skills required for rescuing a companion or small party.
The Avalanche Awareness course or a similar level of knowledge is a prerequisite for the Backcountry course.
Avalanche Awareness Course
Course format:
This course combines a classroom based session followed by a field day. The classroom session lasts around two and half hours and usually takes place in the evening prior to the field day. The field day focuses on practical aspects and lasts all day. Attendance at the lecture is a prerequisite for the field day.
The course covers:
Mountain weather
Identification of avalanche terrain
Basic route finding and decision making
Companion rescue
Safety equipment (including use of transceivers)
Assessment: This course does not have a formal assessment, however participants will receive an MSC certificate of attendance.
Course venues: Most Avalanche Awareness courses will be run within the confines of a commercially operated ski area.
Backcountry Avalanche Course
Course format:
This course is predominantly field based but usually includes two classroom session. The course is delivered over four days and this may be four consecutive days or two weekends depending on the provider.
The course covers:
Characteristics of the avalanche phenomenon
Snowpack factors (layers, crystal ID, basic metamorphosis)
Observation techniques
Human factors in decision making
Group travel in avalanche terrain
Small party search and rescue
Assessment: This course has a formal assessment and on successful completion, a ‘Certificate of Completion’ is issued by the provider.
Course venues: Backcountry Avalanche courses are usually run outside the confines of a ski area but access will be via a commercial ski field.
More Information
Download this season's Avalanche Education information sheet with course dates for both courses by clicking here: Online store
Or visit the MSC Training page, use the search tool to find a course near you and book your place online by clicking here: Training
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Avalanche Education & Training
You can download this season's Avalanche education information including Course dates for Avalanche Awareness and Backcountry Avalanche courses across New Zealand from free downloads
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