The four-day Avalanche Awareness Course is intended for Ski, Snowboard and Telemark Instructors wanting to expand their knowledge of the mountain environment, to travel safely within it and impart knowledge useful for an instructor within organised area boundaries worldwide.
Documented attendance of this course is required to achieve ISIA status, along with your NZSIA Level Three instructing qualification, First Aid Certificate, Free Ski Level One, Teaching in a Second Language and Level One in a second discipline.
The Avalanche course provides a better understanding of the avalanche
The Avalanche course provides a better understanding of the avalanche phenomenon and what is needed to make decisions about personal safety when travelling in avalanche terrain with a group. Additionally, this course will help develop more advanced observation and route finding skills for moving in the mountains. Although we stress the need for avoiding avalanche related rescue, time is also dedicated to learning the technical skills required for small party rescue and handling other emergency situations.
A MSC Backcountry Course or MSC Avalanche Stage One course is also acceptable as a cross-credit for the Avalanche Course towards gaining ISIA status.
Note: This course is run externally and will be overseen by a UIAGM guide or NZMGA Winter qualified guide who is also Stage Two Avalanche qualified. To register please contact Peter Bilous via email peter.bilous@op.ac.nz or phone on 021 705 901 / 03 443 5371.
Dates for 2013
- Cardrona: September 22nd – 27th – also valid for ISIA Card Course
- North Island: October 22nd – 25th – also valid for ISIA Stamp Course
Summary
Length: 4 days ($550) ISIA Stamp Course
Length: 6 days ($825) ISIA Card Course
Pre-requisites: No qualification pre-requisite required, however candidates must be capable of travelling in the backcountry safely and comfortably, and is open to members and non members.
Why take this certification: Not only does this course provide a great insight into the world of backcountry travel and the avalanche phenomenon, but it is required to attain your ISIA stamp.
What’s next: NZSIA offer no further Avalanche courses, however if you feel this route is something you would like to pursue we suggest you consider the MSC Avalanche Stage One qualification as a step into Ski Patrol or Backcountry Guiding.
Testimonials
Name: Alex White
Course and Resort: Avalanche Awareness Course at Cardrona
“Excellent week! Best training course I have participated in this season, great fun, lots of very valuable information which ultimately could save my life and others. Great trainer with excellent communication skills and explanations of topics”
Name: Tom O’Brien
Course and Resort: Avalanche Awareness Course at Cardrona
“The course content, amongst other things, included planning for travelling the backcountry, appropriate group management and routes, snow pack testing and emergency group self-rescue techniques. Although a lot of information was delivered during the four days, the fieldwork elements including short backcountry tours, and an interesting and informed course leader ensured this course never became boring. The course provided me with an increased interest and knowledge of the subject, and will hopefully enable me to be safer whilst travelling backcountry.”
