779: MSC Backcountry Avalanche Risk Management

Avalanche Risk Management Course designed for walkers.

This is an Mountain Safety Council (MSC) event.  All correspondence, application documents and payment is to be made through the MSC.  Please apply directly through this MSC link. 

This course is a pre-requisite for NZOIA Alpine 1.  

The course begins in the evening followed by four full days.  There are pre-course tasks and assessments to be completed.

A four to five day Backcountry Avalanche Risk Management Course aimed at providing participants with a minimum level of snowpack hazard identification knowledge and the use of avoidance skills as a management strategy while recreating and/or working in an outdoor operation.  The focus is on mountain walkers.  This course is assessed and the graduate will be able to:  

• Identify avalanche terrain and the factors that create avalanche conditions
• Identify when potential avalanche hazards exist using professional external consultation and applying rule-based observation techniques and travel safely to avoid them
• Maintain personal safety when traveling in avalanche terrain
• Participate in a small party rescue

This course will be run by Ben Corcoran (NZOIA Alpine 2, MSC Avalanche Stage Two, Assistant Ski Guide, former Snow Safety Officer and currently instructor at the NZ Army Leadership Centre) in the Central South Island area.  Accommodation and food is not included in the course cost.