This course is designed as the continuation course from the Level 1 for backcountry leaders and professionals, as well as keen recreational backcountry skiers desiring greater skills and knowledge. The course has 32 hours contact time over 3 days and is split between morning and evening classroom sessions and all day mountain sessions that take the form of a backcountry ski tour from the boundary of a local ski resort. This is an advanced course and it is a pre-requirement that participants have completed a Level 1 course or work in a winter mountain environment and have a solid knowledge of avalanche fundamentals. The course follows the A3 curriculum guidelines.
This course is run in conjunction with the A3 syllabus one day Avalanche Rescue Module, providing 4 days of avalanche training in total. The course runs on ski touring/ split boarding equipment.
Click here for a review of our Level 2 course from March 2016 Trek & Mountain magazine: Level 2 Review
This 4 day course exceeds the A3 Recreation Level 2 syllabus. It includes the following subjects:
Processes: Metamorphism (Faceting, Surface Hoar, Depth Hoar, Melt Freeze forms) and snowpack instability. Skier triggering, avalanche release and assessing instability & spatial variability. Instability assessment via observations and test results. Test profiles (snow pit), and non standard snowpack evaluation: pole test, ski test, hand shears, through to formalised Column Tests and Extended Column Tests (ECT). Human behaviours in avalanche terrain. Decision making traps and the components of risk within an avalanche context.
Observations and Forecasts: Weather and snowpack history. Trip considerations (abilities, goals, constraints). Decision tool review. Applied map skills (slope angle, alpha angle, decision points). Digital mapping tools. Public forecast interpretation and variability. Introduction to avalanche data recording.
On mountain skills. Approx 70% of this course will operate in the backcountry utilising lift access from nearby ski resorts. Travel protocols, terrain management, group management and communication tools and strategies utilised daily. Students will spend part of their day in the backcountry leading their individual group.
If weather conditions permit we will stay at an guardianed mountain hut in the Mont Blanc Massif for one night. Half board is approx £60 and is not included in the above fee.
Avalanche Rescue: This course fully incorporates the 1 day A3 syllabus Rescue Module. Advanced beacon one to one coaching. Group rescue leadership. Multiple burial practice scenarios. Probing, shovelling strategies, Recovery of victims not wearing beacons. Common mistakes in avalanche rescue. Multiple victim beacon search strategies & techniques. The role of relevant medical assistance and emergency response in avalanche incidents. Remote & Reverse triage. Avalanche victim first aid considerations.
