Avalanche Education
One of the UK’s most respected IFMGA ski Guides – Bruce Goodlad, has teamed up this winter with American Avalanche safety experts Ski The Mountain, to offer structured avalanche education to Brits skiers in the Alps.
Mike Austin from Ski the Mountain said: for a long time now, Canada and the United States has been offering evaluated structured avalanche education to keen skiers and snowboarders who want to be responsible for their own safety. This has become increasingly pertinent in recent years with the massive growth in off piste and backcountry skiing.
"In Europe we’ve been way behind the curve in offering something similar. There are some good instructors out there, but knowledge is being passed on piecemeal. There’s no linear progression in the learning: in North America you can start off by attending a basic avalanche awareness lecture, and by working through a series of courses and examinations, build year on year upon that basic knowledge, leaving the student with a very strong skill set. This is a big and complex subject. Anyone who thinks they’re safe to ride in the backcountry because they’ve attended a two hour avalanche safety lecture are frankly kidding themselves"
What we offer is formalized education that conforms to the American Avalanche Assoc (AAA) syllabus. By teaming up with a great ski guide like Bruce who lives in the valley, we can deliver courses in the heart of Chamonix’s avalanche prone terrain, and of course get some great turns in along the way.
Two -day Level 1 courses provide students with 24 hours contact time. They comprise morning classroom sessions followed by afternoons in the mountains putting the theory to test.
This years course has been cancelled but we can run peivate courses on request
More detailed information on all aspects of the course can be found using the menus on the left.
If you think avalanche education is not for you have a look at this video.
Course Content
We take avalanche safety education seriously Bruce and Mikeare passionate about skiing and sharing there knowledge. They take pride in delivering informative, hands-on avalanche courses. Better avalanche savvy equals better days in the mountains, and the aim of the course is to have fun while we learn! So join us this winter and get your avalanche geek on.
We set the standard for avalanche education in the UK: As ski/mountain guides and avalanche instructors, Bruce and Mike have spent decades in the backcountry from Antarctica to Alaska, building up the knowledge and experience and skills that are necessary to provide top quality avalanche courses. All our avalanche courses are a mix of classroom and field work utilizing up-to-date understanding and techniques, all delivered in the big mountain setting of the Chamonix valley.
We meet the guidelines and standards established by the American Avalanche Association who’s syllabus this course follows. Completion of the course will entitle students to progress to Level 2 courses within the AAA family of providers. The qualification is internationally recognized.
Reading List
If you are onlly going to read one book about avalanches in your life, this is the one to read. Written by Bruce Tremper, the book is regarded as the most authoritative commentary on avalanche matters. Winter recreation and off-piste skiing, particularly in North America and Europe, has increased steadily over the years and so has the number of deaths caused by avalanches. As search and rescue teams are increasingly strapped for funding, self-education has become a larger necessity for snow-sport enthusiasts. This new edition of Bruce Tremper's seminal book is organised according to the structure of the American Avalanche Association classes and all chapters have been updated with the most recent data and techniques, and reviewed by peer experts.
Online Resources
The internet is a great resource for avalanche information here are some of the best educational links we have found.
Avalanche Forecasts
The Internet is a great source of up to the minute snow and avalanche forecasts.
Follow the links below to the avalanche forecast websites in the areas you want to ski in this winter;
Transceiver Review
We are in the process of bringing you our up to date views and opinions on the latest avalanche transceivers. While we compile our thoughts have a look at the excellent beacon review site.
The wild snow website is also really interesting.
No Matter what transceiver you use you need to train and practice with it have a look at this video from our partners at Back Country Access.
Shovel and Probe info / review
We will be adding some info ASAP but in the mean time have a look at some shovel info on Wild Snow. and some Probe info here.
Carrying a shovel and probe is essential on all back country skiing adventures. Effective shovelling techniques should be practiced so once you have located an avalanche victim you can dig them out in the shortest possible time. Our partners at Back Country Access have prepared this short video about the most effective way to daig out an avalanche victim.
Avalanche Airbags
We will be adding some airbad reviews soon but in the mean time have a look at this.
The Avalanche Geeks
Meet the Geeks
We don’t subcontract our courses out to third parties. All courses are run and delivered by Bruce and Mike:
Kit List
Below is a full kit list for the course you can download a PDF version by clicking the link at the bottom of the page. If you have any questions please get in touch.
Booking
To book the course please contact Mike at the following e-mail address:
mike_austin@yahoo.com
The courser fee is €250.You will need to pay a 50% deposit €125 we will send you payment details at the time of booking.
The course fee includes includes two highly qualified intructors, you will have Bruce and Mikes undivided attention for the 2 full days, course materials and lecture room for the indoor sessions. staff, course materials and lecture room. It does not include;
- Travel
- Accomodation
- Insurance make, sure this covers off piste skiing and ski touring
- Ski hire
- Lift passes
- Food
- Transport in the valley. If any of you arrive my car it would be very useful if you could help with transport. We will of course rembourse you for petrol.
Pre Requirements