ADVANCED SKI & AVALANCHE TRAINING COURSES
(ASAT Level 1)
January & March 2025
Improve your skiing & take formal avalanche training in Morzine Avoriaz.
JOIN WAITING LIST
ARE YOU:
- Confident skier on black run terrain?
- Physically fit and able to ski full days on challenging terrain?
DO YOU WANT TO:
- Improve your skiing level, technique & confidence?
- Explore exciting terrain on & off-piste?
- Improve your avalanche safety?
- Become the kind of partner you’d like yours to be?
THESE COURSES:
- 4 mornings of advanced ski tuition and guiding (on & off-piste) with George Treble
- 4 afternoons of formal avalanche and mountain safety training
- Online pre-study course
- See full schedule & syllabus
SUMMARY
An awesome 4 day's in the mountains which combines mornings of guided skiing & tuition with afternoons of mountain safety & avalanche training with BASI L4 ISTD George Treble
COURSE DATES
Course #1: Mon Jan 6th - Thurs 9th 2025
Course #2: Mon Jan 13th - Thurs 16th 2025
Course #3: Mon Jan 20 - Thurs 23rd 2025
Course #4: Mon Jan 27 - Thurs 30th 2025
Course #5: Mon March 10th - Thurs 13th 2025
Course #6: Mon March 17th - Thurs 20th 2025
THE SKIING:
- 4 mornings of guided skiing (on & off-piste) with PDS expert George Treble
- Work on your technique & confidence in steeper terrain & variable 0ff-piste snow conditions
- The course content will be delivered during stunning backcountry adventures when conditions allow
- Video analysis & individual action plans
THE AVALANCHE TRAINING:
- Online pre-study preparation course in mountain safety & avalanche theory
- Afternoon #1: Companion Rescue Training in Avalanche Response
- Afternoon #2: Terrain Analysis Session
- Afternoon #3: Advanced Companion Rescue Session
- Afternoon #4: Field Observation & Snowpack Analysis Session
- Sessions are conducted on the mountain in ski equipment. Read more about the full syllabus here.
"Very informative and well presented. George is extremely clear and engaging in passing on critical knowledge, awareness and understanding to all mountain user venturing off the piste."
Neil McNair - McNair Snowboarding - Instructor & Coach, Nov 23
PRE-REQUISITE LEVEL
- For skiers already confident on all black run terrain
- Good physical fitness and ability to spend full days on the mountain
- No prior avalanche training is required
- You are required to complete the online pre-study course before day #1 (approx 4-5 hours)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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Develop advanced skiing technique & confidence to tackle steeper terrain as well as off piste and variable snow conditions.
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Companion rescue skills in avalanche response.
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Avalanche terrain analysis skills
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Weather & Avalanche forecasting
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Mapping & route planning skills
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Understanding Safe Travel & group managemenT
EQUIPMENT
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Skiing equipment and clothing - (N.B. check if your course is lift accessed or on ski touring gear)
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Since the emphasis of the course will be on downhill skiing & avalanche training, downhill orientated skis and bindings are preferable to super lightweight skis and pin bindings. Something like a shift binding would be ideal. If you are on a lift accessed course, there will be no ski touring. If you are on a ski touring course, ensure you have skins & touring bindings. Boots with walk mode are recommended. Feel free to email us if you have any questions.
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Backpacks - approx 25L is ideal. Comfortable. Includes hip and chest straps.
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Helmets are strongly recommended
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Transceiver/shovel/probe (you can borrow ours if you don't have your own - please ask)
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Spare warm layers & gloves
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Water & hot flask with tea/coffee etc
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Packed lunch that we can eat on the go
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Airbags optional
PRICING
€625 per person
Minimum Group size 4
Maximum Group size 6
Price does not include accommodation or lift pass
(in the event that the course does not achieve minimum numbers, a shortened course program will be offered (min. 6 weeks notice)
JOIN THE WAITING LIST
Leave your email and we will let you know when we are starting to take bookings for this course.
ONLINE PRE-STUDY COURSE
LESSON 1: AVALANCHE AWARENESS
Avalanches kill and injure many skiers and snowboarders every year. Anyone going off piste must understand off piste hazards and avalanches so we can avoid them.
LESSON 2: OFF PISTE EQUIPMENT
The moment you cross the piste markers, you become exposed to a new list of hazards. Skiers & Snowboarders must carry essential off-piste equipment and know how to use it. This tutorial explains what you need, including a checklist to help you prepare.
LESSON 3: TERRAIN ANALYSIS
Arguably the most important skillset for off-piste skiers and snowboarders. In a world where weather conditions, snowpack and partners are fickle and constantly changing, terrain is your stable minded best friend. Learn how to read the terrain in order to understand how dangerous it is.
LESSON 4: MOUNTAIN WEATHER
Forecasting snow, weather and avalanches in mountain environments is an imperative skillset for off-piste skiers and snowboarders. Not only does it help you to avoid dangerous scenarios, it also helps you to find better snow conditions
" I thought the course was great! I knew a little about mountain safety going into it but I learnt lots of new information which I'm sure is going to come in very useful. The information is presented in a way which is easy to understand and interesting. I will now be recommending this course to anyone who plans to go off piste."
Zoë Gillings-Brier - Instructor & ex FIS world cup & Olympic Snowboarder
" I really liked how the course was broken down in to a modules that I could work through in my own time. It also provided structure to the learning and teaching. The video clips were well put together and the end of topic assessments were relevant and focused. "
Gavin Carruthers - British Backcountry partner & L4 ski Instructor
LESSON 5 THE AVALANCHE BULLETIN
For off piste skiers & snowboarders, the Avalanche Bulletin is the best deal in town. If you want to ski or snowboard off piste in powder snow, here are some of the important bits of information you need to know about before you go out into the mountains.
LESSON 6: MAPPING & ROUTE PLANNING
When it comes to off-piste skiing & snowboarding, your most important decisions are made before you even leave the house. This tutorial covers the ways you can study & plan your routes to help ensure that you are in the right place at the right time.
" A course that may save your life; The course is engaging, interesting and full of great utilisable knowledge. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the backcountry "
Dom Turner - Director & Co-owner of Skiology
LESSON 7: HUMAN FACTORS & HEURISTIC TRAPS
Human psychology causes us to make common mistakes. In Off-Piste environments, these can get you killed. Learn and remember these classic errors so you can make sure you don't fall into one of these psychological traps.
LESSON 8: FIELD OBSERVATION SKILLS
As well as forecasting and route planning, skiers and snowboarders must be able to read the real world, identify red flags in avalanche terrain and analyse the current conditions during the day. This tutorial lists the things to look out for and the tools which will help you to 'read' the real world in snowy environments.
LESSON 9: SAFER TRAVEL & GROUP MANAGEMENT
Learn the principals and safe travel procedures which allow you to limit your's and your group's exposure to off-piste hazards.
LESSON 10: COMPANION RESCUE
Learn the systematic strategies to implement in emergencies so you can be prepared if things go wrong. Your partner's lives may depend on it.
"George has taken a complicated subject matter and split it into digestible bite size pieces that are easy to understand. The amazing pics and vids keep you interested, and the whole thing is just super slick and really thought about. Everyone going off piste needs this course!"
Paul Wagstaffe - ISTD L 4 ski instructor
" Thanks George for a really enjoyable, well structured and presented course. The balance of photos, video and words made it super interesting and easy to digest. "
Tim Scott - ISTD ski Instructor @ LGS Snowsports
" Fantastic videos with a lot of good information presented in one place"
Simon D - August 2023
ONLINE COURSE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the structure of the online course
Who is the course for?
Is there a pre-requisite level?
Will I earn certification upon completion?
Who made the course?
When do I get the course?
Is there a money-back guanrantee?
How long does it take?
ONLINE COURSE: LEARNING OUTCOMES
AVALANCHE AWARENESS
Use greater understanding for avalanche avoidance. Types, characteristics, locations & times. Awareness of other off piste & backcountry mountain hazards.
EQUIPMENT UNDERSTANDING
To know what equipment you need for off piste & backcountry snowsports. How to use it and how to pack and prepare effectively
TERRAIN ANALYSIS SKILLS
in order to understand the likelihood and consequences of avalanches. To have a better idea of where and when to go during certain conditions as a result.
WEATHER & AVALANCHE FORECASTING
Better understand mountain weather relevant to snowsports. How to read and understand weather forecasts & avalanche bulletins.
ROUTE PLANNING
Know how to study & plan your routes before you leave the house. Combine this with improved understanding of avalanche terrain to make smarter plans
SAFER TRAVEL
Understand tactics and protocols for group management and safer travel in mountainous environments. Know about common decision making mistakes to avoid.
FIELD OBSERVATION
Develop skills and tools for monitoring snow, weather and avalanche conditions whilst you are out in the field.
COMPANION RESCUE
Understand rescue procedures and search patterns in Avalanche response.
