PROGRAM
During winter ski mountaineering outings or off-piste freeriding descents, you often move on unsecured slopes and routes.
You MUST be able to assess the avalanche risk and MUST know how to take action in an emergency.
Careful planning, risk-conscious behaviour and experience in recognising potential danger spots are the basis of your SAFETY during a winter outing in the mountains.
In order to learn the necessary SKILLS, you must LEARN the theory, but above all EXERCISE the practice!
Ortovox Tour and Training Basics is for all freeride and ski mountaineering enthusiasts!
Careful planning, appropriate behavior on the mountain and the experience required to recognize potential hazard areas are the basics needed to ensure your safety on a tour.
2 days avalanche course is perfect for beginners, but also for advanced freeriders/ski mountaineers!
The training fields will help you to practice the emergency procedures to follow after an avalanche.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
During the course, you will test yourself on the correct use of safety equipment, as well as the best strategy for successful companion rescue. The aim is to show how to best use the emergency avalanche equipment in emergency situations.
By an intensive training and practices on field, Safety Experts will help you to learn:
- techniques to be used for the correct use of safety equipment
- strategies and behaviours in different circumstances
- tools available in the planning stages of the trip
- methodological criteria for making decisions to protect the safety of the group
- methods and criteria for assessing risk when choosing routes
- intervention procedures in the event of an emergency
The participants will also learn the following EVALUATION SKILLS:
- how to find a safe itinerary and set a track
- how to recognize and evaluate dangerous areas based on the prevailing conditions
- how to apply decision-making strategies
TEACHING STAFF
All the course are led in small groups (6-8 participants), each of one under the supervision of a dedicated professional Safety Expert.
- IFMGA certified Mountain Guides will introduce you on Safety and risk management for ski touring and freeriding on unsecured terrain in winter.
- IFMGA certified Mountain Guides will teach you the correct way to act after an avalanche.
During the practical field trials, the Safety Experts will explain you:
– what protocol to adopt in the event of an avalanche
– how to search for the avalanche victims using the transceiver
– how to use a probe and shovel correctly when excavating - IFMGA certified Mountain Guides will explain the correct STRATEGIES and PROCEDURES to act promptly and effectively in case of need. The participants will learn how to rescue, in the time and manner required to ensure survival after an avalanche. These courses offer the opportunity to improve your KNOW-HOW, your SKILLS in the backcountry while not neglecting your SAFETY.
INCLUDED IN THIS COURSE
During the training camp, the Guide will provide to all participants SAFETY KITS with best quality gear by Ortovox. Participants will test the latest generation Ortovox avalanche beacon, shovel and probe.
They could compare the performance of the most up-to-date models with that of less performing equipment.
For those interested in more technical details, the Safety Experts will show the differences between the equipment available on the market.
Didactic modules, as well as practices on the field, are ALL led by IFMGA certified Mountain Guides!
GROUP DEPARTURES
Meeting point: Courmayeur/Aosta, to be specify for every date course in the calendar
Meeting time: around 8:30 am – to be confirmed according to the location
- Overview of equipment, snow and avalanches
- Information and tactical tips for tour planning
- Interpretation of the avalanche bulletin
- Use of assessment methods
- Procedure to be taken when an avalanche accident occurs
- Active search and rescue training
- Basics of modern risk management
Meeting point: Courmayeur/Aosta, to be specify for every date course in the calendar
Meeting time: around 8:30 am – to be confirmed according to the location
- Overview of equipment, snow and avalanches
- Information and tactical tips for tour planning
- Interpretation of the avalanche bulletin
- Use of assessment methods
- Procedure to be taken when an avalanche accident occurs
- Active search and rescue training
- Basics of modern risk management
Meeting point: Courmayeur/Aosta, to be specify for every date course in the calendar
Meeting time: around 8.30 am – to be confirmed according to the location
A day entirely dedicated to off-piste practice on easy ski mountaineering routes. The safety lesson will cover practical aspects and will take place during one or more simulations in the environment. During the outing, the Alpine Guides will propose self-assessment tests on the knowledge acquired during the first day. The didactics will cover basic route planning criteria and risk assessment in the choice of the excursion route.
Participants will be able to try out in the field the basic techniques for safe route planning. All choices and decisions will be discussed in the group and commented on by the mountain guides (comparative assessment).
The Alpine Guides will offer discussions, tactical advice and reflections on the following aspects of EVALUATION:
- group reasoning for conscious and shared decisions
- presence of danger points and correct behaviour to adopt according to conditions
- strategies and behaviour in various circumstances (focus: SAFETY)
- planned choices and decisions to protect safety (focus: AWARENESS)
- intervention procedures in the event of an emergency: responsiveness, respect for timing and correct use of safety equipment (FINAL TEST, with practical field test)
NOTE
We recommend that you check your ski equipment and safety gear (beacon, shovel and probe) in good time.
For those who need it, it is possible to request the provision of safety kits (including beacon, shovel and probe).
For any rental of ski mountaineering equipment, please advise us at the time of booking: we will be happy to send a list of shops in Aosta/Courmayeur to contact for checking costs and rental methods.
Meeting point: Courmayeur/Aosta, to be specify for every date course in the calendar
Meeting time: around 8.30 am – to be confirmed according to the location
A day entirely dedicated to off-piste practice on easy ski mountaineering routes. The safety lesson will cover practical aspects and will take place during one or more simulations in the environment. During the outing, the Alpine Guides will propose self-assessment tests on the knowledge acquired during the first day. The didactics will cover basic route planning criteria and risk assessment in the choice of the excursion route.
Participants will be able to try out in the field the basic techniques for safe route planning. All choices and decisions will be discussed in the group and commented on by the mountain guides (comparative assessment).
The Alpine Guides will offer discussions, tactical advice and reflections on the following aspects of EVALUATION:
- group reasoning for conscious and shared decisions
- presence of danger points and correct behaviour to adopt according to conditions
- strategies and behaviour in various circumstances (focus: SAFETY)
- planned choices and decisions to protect safety (focus: AWARENESS)
- intervention procedures in the event of an emergency: responsiveness, respect for timing and correct use of safety equipment (FINAL TEST, with practical field test)
NOTE
We recommend that you check your ski equipment and safety gear (beacon, shovel and probe) in good time.
For those who need it, it is possible to request the provision of safety kits (including beacon, shovel and probe).
For any rental of ski mountaineering equipment, please advise us at the time of booking: we will be happy to send a list of shops in Aosta/Courmayeur to contact for checking costs and rental methods.
DETAILS
RATES
- the assistance of a UIAGM/IFMGA certified Mountain Guide
- liability insurance
- safety gear used by the Guide (eg rope)
- the loan of the latest Ortovox emergency equipment – FOR FREE
- the loan of advanced Ortovox emergency kits, with transceiver, shovel, probe – FOR FREE
- customer care assistance for logistics and accommodations
- photos and videos of the course
- dedicated chat with the Mountain Guide
The rate does not include
- research and rescue insurance with UVGAM coverage (recommended): €5 per person for 3 days
- tickets for lift facilities
- the Mountain Guide’s expenses (lifts, transfers, meals and accommodation)
- transfers, meals and accommodation
- anything that is not mentioned under "The rate includes"
