2-Day Avalanche Skills Course (ASC1) September 1, 2025

This is a 2-day introductory avalanche skills course that focuses on identifying avalanche terrain and understanding what causes avalanches. Understanding the NZ Backcountry Avalanche Advisory is a vital skill that you will learn in this course. This is a practical field-based course with some theory to increase your understanding. This course is approved by the (MSC)  Mountain Safety Council.  You will gain an MSC certificate in Avalanche Skills upon completion of this course.

Please note: This course is delivered as a walking course. The skills and information are applicable to backcountry skiing, boarding, alpine hiking and mountaineering. All alpine and avalanche gear is provided. 

PRICE $799* (MINIMUM AGE 18 YEARS)

Youth Price $399.50** (16-17 years, accompanied by an adult)

Ask about our Family Friendly courses for ages less than 16 years.

* This is the early bird booking price, standard rates available on the course calendar.

**Conditions apply for youth pricing structure. See FAQ’s page.

COURSE LOCATION

This course starts at 8:30 a.m. in Arthurs Pass village (2 hours from Christchurch).

The practical components of the course are delivered in the Craigieburn Range. We access the snow via Broken River or Mt Cheeseman ski field and drive to our lodge in  Arthurs Pass Village at the end of the day. The group and your instructor will decide the exact location for the second day during the trip planning session, depending on local weather and snow conditions.

The course finishes at 4 pm in Arthurs Pass or Castle Hill village  (approx 1.5-2hrs from Christchurch airport).

ACCOMMODATION (INCLUDED)

This course is based out of our lodge in Arthur’s Pass Village. The lodge has bunk beds set up across 3 bedrooms and can sleep up to 20 people. It has a kitchen stocked with utensils, cookware, a fridge, and ovens. You will also be treated to power, bathroom facilities, hot showers and heating. All you need to bring is your sleeping bag, pillow and food.

**Your accommodation is included**

GEAR & EQUIPMENT

All you will need for this course are waterproof boots and normal outdoor clothing. We will supply all the mountaineering and avalanche equipment for you if you don’t have your own.  You can find a packing list and course outline at the bottom of this page.

FOOD

Food is not provided on this course. We recommend packing plenty of snacks and lunches that do not require cooking. The lodge has a full kitchen & fridge that you are welcome to use.

TRANSPORT

Transport from Christchurch to Arthurs Pass is NOT included in this course. However, we can drop you back in Christchurch at the end of the course.

There is public transport from Christchurch to Arthurs Pass that departs daily at 2pm: EastWestcoaches.com.

*Note: if you use this shuttle bus, book it for the day before the course starts and we will provide you with accommodation in Arthurs Pass.

Meeting location: 

Arthurs Pass Café & Store 8:00 am (see on google maps)

*Alternatively, you can meet in Arthurs Pass the night before the course starts and we will provide your accommodation.

TRAVELLING FROM OUT OF TOWN?

We recommend that you arrive in Christchurch at least one day before your course. We have a few hotel & hostel suggestions on our FAQ’s page. Please avoid booking accommodation north or east of the city centre.  At the end of the course, we are more than happy to drop you back at your accommodation or directly to the airport.  The earliest time we can have you back at the airport is 6 pm.

THIS AVALANCHE SKILLS COURSE INCLUDES

Weather & avalanche forecasts

• Introduction to the NZ BackcountryAvalanche Advisory
• Mountain Weather in NZ

Avalanche transceivers

• Pre-trip checks
• Wearing a transceiver
• Coarse search techniques
• Fine search techniques
• Pin-point search techniques

Probing & digging

• Spiral Probing  technique
• Snow Shoveling techniques
• Team digging

Safe terrain travel 

• Identifying avalanche terrain
• Identifying terrain traps
• Introduction to safe travel techniques

Rescue scenario’s

• Buddy rescue
• Small-party rescue scenarios

COURSE DOWNLOADS

SEE WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

“Gideon [the instructor] was passionate about the information he was passing on to us and that reflected in the theory teaching and practical…. We were always kept safe and the technical knowledge we gained will keep us informed for a long time. I have taken away a lot away from this course.”

“Got a great deal out of the course in terms of both theory and practice.”

“Communication before and during the course were excellent. Facilities were great. Plenty of chances to practice skills.”