If you stand at a ski area boundary and think it looks fun and inviting to ride fresh, untracked snow on the other side, you should take an avalanche course. That inviting swathe of snow is not safe, even if other skiers are riding it, or if there are tracks.
By Anna Keeling. Mountain and Ski guide and avalanche educator.
If you’re interested in taking an avalanche course, here’s our advice.
Why take an avalanche course?
If you stand at a ski area boundary and think it looks fun and inviting to ride fresh, untracked snow on the other side, you should take an avalanche course.
That inviting swathe of snow is not safe, even if other skiers are riding it, or if there are tracks.
People have tragically died skiing or riding untracked snow. As soon as you cross a ski area boundary, you are in the backcountry. This means uncontrolled terrain, no avalanche mitigation and no-one to come and rescue you.
If you even go as far as 100 metres from the boundary, a ski patroller may be able to help, but it is unlikely. Sometimes there are only three patrollers working at a club field and they may already be attending an accident on the field.
If you want to ski overseas, taking a course can be beneficial as snow conditions are different in different snow climates.
Most New Zealand avalanche instructors have worked overseas to gain greater depth of experience.
Leaving the ski area boundary on an Avalanche Skills Course
You should also take a course if you wear an avalanche transceiver, carry a shovel and probe when skiing at a Club Ski field or if you like to go on guided trips - eg. Heli skiing.
When is a good time to take a course? Anytime! It’s the act of taking a course that is important.
If you’ve taken one before but feel rusty, take another one. If you want to learn more, take an ASC2.
The avalanche industry is always updating as a result of yearly conferences and people completing Masters and PHD’s in snow science.
The key aim of a course is to learn what avalanche terrain is and understand how weather causes snow to change over time. You also learn the essential skill of conducting a rescue.
Early season courses are a good way to learn while waiting for the best snow of the season to arrive. You then get to put your skills to practice!
Attending an avalanche course in July gets you into the snow and an opportunity to understand how the layers within the snowpack begin to stack up to create avalanche problems later on.
Avalanche courses are a great opportunity to create safe travel habits and methods for keeping your group safer while in avalanche terrain. Be safe out there - take a course.
The NZ Mountain Safety Council endorses avalanche course providers as well as coordinating the daily Avalanche Advisory. They also provide teaching materials for avalanche courses as well as links to overseas avalanche advisories.
In NZ avalanche education is divided into two camps: Recreational and Professional. Professional training is for ski patrollers, avalanche instructors, ski and alpine guides and outdoor instructors.
This article focuses on recreational courses - for those who want to learn more to keep themselves and their partners safe.
There are two types of recreational courses: Avalanche Skills Course 1 and Avalanche Skills Course 2 (referred to as ASC1 and ASC2).
ASC1
This is an introductory (avalanche awareness) course of 1.5-2 days in length.
This course focuses on:
ASC2
Avalanche course providers in Canterbury:
Chill Explore and Anna Keeling Guiding Ltd
Chill Explore and AKG joined forces about a decade ago to provide avalanche education for skiers and snowboarders in the Craigieburn Range. All AKG instructors are NZ Mountain Guide Association (NZMGA) ski and/or climb guides with Professional ARM level 2 qualifications and significant overseas experience.
ASC 1:
ASC2:
OENZ - Outdoor Education New Zealand Ltd
OENZ specialises in mountain education for the non-skier/boarder. Their courses run on foot so are perfect for climbers, trampers and hunters.
Instructors are certified by the NZ Outdoor Instructors Association and they also hold Professional Avalanche training in ARM1 or ARM2.
OENZ also own their lodge at Arthur’s Pass which means more time to pick the brains of the instructors!
ASC1:
ASC2:
Club ski area, Broken River runs avalanche classes for members and non-members. Accommodation is available at one of their lodges, close to the ski field.
ASC1:
ASC2:
New Zealand Snow Safety Institute
NZSSI is based at Temple Basin at Arthur’s Pass. Stay at the lodge with catered food. Ski/ride in and out in this classic location. NZMGA guides teach NZSSI courses.
ASC1:
ASC2:
This iconic guiding establishment offers avalanche courses, taught by NZMGA ski guides at either its Tekapo base or Rex Simpson hut base. Contact them for more information: Alpine Recreation - Trek, Climb & Ski with professionals!
Another leading NZ guide establishment, numerous 1.5 day ASC1’s run from Methven with NZMGA ski guides.
Cost $495
The NZAC is comprised of geographical sections.
Residential ASC2 courses are offered to NZAC members (on foot or on ski/board).;
NZMGA guides teach the ASC2.
The Canterbury-Westland section provides ASC1 to members.
Canterbury Mountaineering Club
ASC1 classes are available for members most years.
These are based from the CMC lodge in Arthurs Pass.
Heading uphill to score some good backcountry snow