Avalanche Awareness for Tourers and Freeriders
Learn LEVEL | 2 day(s) | Ratio 1:6
Overview
This intensive 2 day course is ideal for anyone who regularly skis or boards off piste and wishes to know more about how to make informed decisions. The course will be based in both our classrooms and practically on the hill, therefore you should be capable of skiing to the required level and have had experience of touring and touring equipment.
DETAILED INFO
PRE-REQUISITES
Ski Technique/Level 2: You have been skiing for several weeks/years and are now confident on blue and red runs, controlling your speed by changing the size of your turns. Black runs are challenging but you are capable of skiing them under control by using skiddy turns perhaps with the occasional step or jump. Skiing off piste is a normal part of a days skiing but you are very much learning how to cope but mostly remaining upright. Your turns shape and size off-piste are very much dependent on the type of snow and terrain.
Mtn 2 – Experience of using touring bindings and skins is necessary. Some experience of axe and crampons may be necessary. For skiers, coping techniques such as side slipping and stem turns are essential and should be well practiced and reliable. Uphill and downhill kick turns may be familiar but require further practice
Fitness 1 – As a skier you are capable of skiing all day with regular rests without noticing a significant drop in your technique through fatigue. You are capable of hiking in soft snow with skis on your back or skinning uphill for 2 – 3 hours (600 – 800m). A moderately heavy rucksack 5 – 8kgs will be carried during your course.
IS IT FOR ME?
This intensive 2 day course is ideal for anyone who regularly skis or boards off piste and wishes to know more about how to make informed decisions. The course will be based in both our classrooms and practically on the hill, therefore you should be capable of skiing to the required level and have had experience of touring and touring equipment.
CONTENT
This intensive 2 day course is ideal for anyone who regularly skis or boards off piste and wishes to know more about how to make informed decisions. The course will be based in both our classrooms and practically on the hill, therefore you should be capable of skiing to the required level and have had experience of touring and touring equipment.
Over the course of the 2 days we will aim to give you an understanding of the Scottish ‘Be Avalanche Aware’ system of decision making. In addition to this we will also be looking at the snowpack on the hill and discussing how this is influenced by the weather and terrain. This course is a must for all Scottish backcountry skiers and boarders but is also relevant to skiing and boarding in the alps.
Over the course of the 2 days we will tailor the course to suit the needs and aspirations of each student. This is a wide and complex subject area so we will distil the essential knowledge so that you leave fully informed and ready to making kick ass decisions allowing you to ride the whole mountain.
- How to use the Snow and Avalanche Foundation of Scotland (SAFOS) Be Avalanche Aware Guidelines.
- Detailed understanding of the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) avalanche forecast bulletin and application of this knowledge.
- Detailed understanding of British mountain weather forecasts and application of this knowledge.
- Understand the influence of Human factors and include this knowledge in decision making.
- Navigational skills and interpretation of contours for avalanche terrain and hazard identification.
- Route planning and terrain selection during a journey.
- Observation and evaluation of avalanche risk when touring and skiing on the hill in ascent and descent.
- Snowpack observation and analysis.
- Understanding and interpreting snow pit profiles.
- Safe travel techniques on mountainous terrain.
- Avalanche safety equipment & how to use it.
- Companion rescue.
Evening sessions will include an avalanche awareness lecture.
USEFUL INFORMATION
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Instruction
Use of kit
Packed lunch and afternoon tea each day
In-course transport
NEED TO KNOW
ON YOUR LAST DAY
Check out time is 10am on the final day of your booking, we have changing areas, showers and left luggage facilities on site. All courses will finish by 5pm.
WHAT WILL I NEED
The key to happiness and enjoyment in ski touring is having the right equipment so you can cope with whatever the environment throws at you. At Glenmore Lodge we are extremely fortunate to be partnered with Atomic Skis and Scarpa ski boots. These partnerships allow us to maintain a modern range of ski touring boots and skis in our purpose built ski store, giving you the opportunity to try before you buy.
* Starred Items are available to borrow from GL Stores
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
- *Skis with touring bindings, skins and ski crampons
- *Ski Poles – ideally fixed length
- *Ski Mountaineering Boots – for example Scarpa Maestrale 2 or Maestrale RS2
- *Helmet – Optional
- *Ice Axe 45cm– for example Petzl Snowracer
- *Avalanche Transceiver – for example Pieps DSP Sport or Pro
- *3m Probe and Shovel
PERSONAL CLOTHING
- Waterproof Jacket – breathable, Goretex Proshell is ideal.
- Waterproof Ski Trousers
- Thermal Bottoms, thermal Tops – long sleeves
- Mid Layers – Fleece or synthetic
- Soft Shell or fleece Jacket
- *Lightweight Belay Jacket
- Sun hut and Warm Hat
- Sunglasses
- Ski Goggles
- Warm Gloves: Thick and Thin
- Ski Socks
- *Compass and whistle – your Guide will have all the necessary maps and guidebooks
- Headtorch
- *Rucksack – 35 – 45 litres.
- Waterbottle or Flask.
- Suncream and Lip Salve – SPF 30 minimum
- Personal first aid – some tape, Compeed, plaster for blisters and your own pain relief (aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol)
- Camera
