Go farther - Get avalanche trained

In Australia we are privileged to have some of the world's finest opportunities for winter backcountry exploration, but with this right to explore comes a responsibility—to yourself, your friends and your family to get avalanche training.

Online Avalanche Tutorial

For an introduction to recognizing avalanche terrain and the basics of avalanche rescue, start here with our online avalanche primer. If you’re new to the backcountry, this is a great way to gain an understanding of avalanche safety basics before moving on to an AST 1.

CHAPTERS:

What Next?

Avalanche Skills Training 1

An AST 1 course is where you’ll learn the fundamentals of travelling in avalanche terrain. An AST 1 course comprises a minimum of seven hours of classroom instruction with one full day in the field, and is suitable for people with basic training and little experience.

AST 1 Course Objectives

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Understand the basics of avalanche formation and release.
  • Identify avalanche terrain.
  • Know the steps required to plan and carry out a trip.
  • Use the Avaluator 2.0 as a decision-making tool in areas where trips are rated using the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) and where avalanche bulletins are available.
  • Find resources for obtaining ATES terrain ratings if their trip is not rated.
  • Find resources for obtaining avalanche danger ratings and avalanche bulletins if these are not available.
  • Use appropriate travel techniques in avalanche terrain.
  • Carry out a companion rescue.
  • Understand the limits of their training.

What Next?

​Do an AST 1 Course

Avalanche Skills Training 2

An AST 2 course is suitable for people with a moderate degree of training and experience and who have taken an AST 1 course. An AST 2 course builds on the foundations of your AST 1, and provides an intermediate decision-making framework for travelling in avalanche terrain. An AST 2 course comprises a minimum of 9.5 hours of classroom instruction with a minimum of three days in the field. The course is suitable for people with a moderate degree of training and experience.

AST 2 Course Objectives

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Use the Avaluator2.0 as a filtering tool to determine when additional planning and travel techniques are required to travel safely.
  • Be familiar with Avalanche Danger Ratings verification techniques for personal use on a local scale.
  • Be familiar with the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) technical model as a means to develop personal, local terrain ratings.
  • Use routefinding to take advantage of nuances in terrain to manage personal risk.
  • Use travel techniques in avalanche terrain appropriate to the avalanche conditions.
  • Proficiently carry out a companion rescue.
  • Understand the limits of their training.

What Next?

Do an AST 2 Course