avalanche awareness
...no snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible...
The risk of avalanche is often underestimated in the Scottish mountains, yet every season many occur. 90% of avalanche victims trigger their own avalanche, and sadly many incidents end with disastrous results. Whether you are venturing out into the winter mountains recreationally or for work purposes, it is essential to know how avalanches occur, how to avoid them, and how to respond in the event of one.
Whether at the beginning of your season, during, or towards the tail-end, for many different factors you could be at risk of being involved in an avalanche. Any time is a good time to do an avalanche awareness course; Head out, armed with an understanding, without the risk of forgetting, and without a chance that you'll become complacent.
All of the following courses are based out of Aviemore, in the Cairngorms National Park, and will run from 8:45am til 5pm, unless stated otherwise. Prices are per person. Recommendations and advice for accommodation can be found at the bottom of this page. Meeting places will be confirmed at the time of booking. Typically the ratio of instructors to participants is 1:6 or less. If you are a larger group than 6, and/or an individual or group who wish to have a course run in your area, then please Get In Contact to discuss your aspirations.
Whether at the beginning of your season, during, or towards the tail-end, for many different factors you could be at risk of being involved in an avalanche. Any time is a good time to do an avalanche awareness course; Head out, armed with an understanding, without the risk of forgetting, and without a chance that you'll become complacent.
All of the following courses are based out of Aviemore, in the Cairngorms National Park, and will run from 8:45am til 5pm, unless stated otherwise. Prices are per person. Recommendations and advice for accommodation can be found at the bottom of this page. Meeting places will be confirmed at the time of booking. Typically the ratio of instructors to participants is 1:6 or less. If you are a larger group than 6, and/or an individual or group who wish to have a course run in your area, then please Get In Contact to discuss your aspirations.
Avalanche avoidance
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This single-day course is aimed at walkers, climbers and skiers, who wish to understand the basics of where avalanches occur and how to avoid them; You may have not done any formal training before, or you may be a trainee Winter Mountain Leader looking to refresh your knowledge ready for assessment. Come prepared for a whole day out in winter conditions.
✓ Interpreting avalanche forecasts, and understanding weather forecasts ✓ How to safely plan a route, identify key places, and avoid hazardous areas ✓ The 'where's' of avalanches, and making observations on the hill ✓ 'Be Avalanche Aware' model and good decision-making as a group ✓ FREE hire of an axe and crampons |
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Title:
Avalanche Avoidance Av. Avoidance and Incident Management 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
6 6 1 6 |
Price:
£129 £249 £220p/d £100p/d |
Ratio:
1:6 1:6 1:1 1:6 |
Avalanche incident MANAGEMENT
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This single-day course is aimed at walkers, climbers and skiers, who wish to understand what to do in the event of an incident, and how and why avalanches occur. This course serves as a progression from the above course, yet may be attended independently if you already know the basics. You should be able to look after yourself in winter conditions and on steep snow.
✓ Recap on avalanche/weather forecasts, and the 'where's' of avalanches ✓ The 'how's' and 'why's' of avalanches, and snow metamorphism ✓ Snowpack analysis, pit profiles and stability tests ✓ Companion rescue equipment and techniques ✓ FREE hire of an axe and crampons, and transceiver, probe and shovel |
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Title:
Avalanche Incident Management Av. Avoidance and Incident Management 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
6 6 1 6 |
Price:
£149 £249 £225p/d £120p/d |
Ratio:
1:6 1:6 1:1 1:6 |
- What is included in the price?
Instruction at the above ratios, tea/coffee at the start of the course, all emergency first aid equipment, and additional maps and teaching resources, where appropriate. - What is not included in the price?
Accommodation, food and drink for the day, personal insurance and personal equipment (unless stated otherwise). - What is the minimum number of participants required to ensure my course runs?
3 for all of the above courses at a 1:6 ratio. And, with fear of being obvious, 1 for 1:1 private bookings! - Who will staff my course?
Your course will be staffed by me or another fully qualified winter mountain leader (WML), winter mountaineering and climbing instructor (WMCI) or British mountain guide (BMG). - Can I hire walking boots from you?
No, sorry. Because of vastly different shoe sizes from person to person, I do not stock a large range of walking boots. However, there are numerous shops and hire services available in the local area to your activity or course, or you can Get In Contact if you need any more help acquiring a pair. - Can I hire a rucksack from you?
Yes, please arrange this at the time of booking. Rucksacks cost £20 per person, per day. A deposit of £75 to cover any damage or soiling of the materials is required. - Can I bring along my own axe, crampons and transceiver, probe and shovel to use or ask questions about?
Yes of course, however this equipment will be thoroughly checked by me or another member of staff before it is deemed suitable for use. - How many pairs of gloves do you recommend I bring?
A minimum of 3 waterproof pairs of gloves is recommended for safety and comfort. This is because gloves can quickly become wet in Scotland during the winter, and once a pair of gloves have become wet they will be no longer be useful. - Why do I need ski goggles for walking in winter?
In Scotland, during the winter, ski goggles are essential for safety and comfort. This is because when snow is falling in windy conditions it is impossible to see without them. - How many pairs, and what type of ski goggles do you recommend I bring?
One pair of ski goggles will suffice, however two is better, just in case you lose a pair. Clear-lens ski goggles are better in most conditions, however ski goggles with red-tinted lenses also work. - Where can I stay?
There are a variety of options around Aviemore, to suit everybody's tastes and budgets. There are many more options than the ones suggested below, and of the options suggested below, all operate independently from me:
Hostels - Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel; Aviemore Bunkhouse; Aviemore Youth Hostel.
Hotels - Premier Inn; Cairngorm Hotel; Highland Resort; The Old Bridge Inn.
B&Bs - Dunroamin; Ardlogie Guest House; Carn Mhor; 'Air BnB' options are also available. - What kit do I need to bring?
For all of the above courses, you may be out in the mountains all day, and therefore will require the following:
1. Warm clothing, including a woolly hat, balaclava or buff, gloves, ski goggles and sunglasses
2. Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers
3. Walking boots and walking gaitors
4. Food, drink and personal medication
5. Small personal first aid kit, if required (to include things like blister plasters, suncream)
6. Mobile phone and whistle
7. Personal walking poles
8. Personal walking axe, crampons, transceiver, probe and shovel (unless stated otherwise)
9. Compass (Silva Type 4 recommended)
10. Waterproof map of the area (36 - OS Landranger Active Map Grantown and Aviemore recommended), or a non-waterproof map of the area (36 - OS Landranger Map Grantown and Aviemore) and a waterproof map case
11. Head torch and spare batteries
12. Rucksack (40L minimum recommended) and waterproof liner
Have a question about something else? Try the Frequently Asked Questions page.
"Alex's teaching of avalanche awareness was thorough, clear and well organised. I feel so much more confident in my own decision making abilities after learning about avalanches, and how to avoid them, from Alex."
H. Rollins (Avalanche Avoidance and Incident Management course)
H. Rollins (Avalanche Avoidance and Incident Management course)
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