Basic course avalanches
First info...
The most important question regarding avalanches that all ski tourers, freeriders or snowshoe hikers ask themselves is: GO or NO GO! But the avalanche course in Switzerland teaches much more than that.
On these two days we will show you all the decision-making basics and tools to answer this vital question. Benefit from Hermanns' enormous experience and let him show you how to use it safely in winter. In the exciting theory section on the morning of the first day of the Avalanche Course Switzerland, we talk about the basics of avalanche hazard assessment, tour planning and dealing with risk on tour.
In the afternoon we will be outdoors and explain the contents clearly. Apart from examining the snow profile and analysing the snowpack structure, we will look for the alarm signs, slope inclinations and terrain shapes that lead to unfavourable conditions so that snow slabs can develop in the first place. This chapter is complex and the basis for the safe application of the 3 x 3 reduction method, the graphic reduction method or other tools as decision-making aids. We will devote almost the entire second day to this topic. Elements of the platform www.whiterisk.ch of the SLF provide plastic models and support us in this.
Of course we will deepen the handling of avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes during a realistic rescue exercise. Have you ever tried to breathe buried in the snow? Varied terrain, interspersed with small hollows and steep rocky slopes, provides excitement.
Even if you don't have decades of experience, this course will provide you with a tool that will give you more security and transparency in making risk assessment decisions on your tours in the future.
BERIE Plus points
- perfect practice area and touring area
- Training and guidance by professional mountain/ski guide UIAGM and area expert Hermann Berie
- Exciting transfer of complex knowledge
- Theoretical part and practice on the topic of avalanche prevention
- Detection of alarm signals in the field
- Snow and snow cover analysis
- Training of the most important tools for risk assessment on tour
- Rescue Exercises
- Recognizing where our limits lie and applying the reduction methods
- Certificate of completion of the course
including half board / 1 x overnight stay in shared room Berghaus Sulzfluh
2 days training and instruction in theory and practice with certified mountain and ski guide UIAGM,
Member of the Swiss Mountain Guide Association SBV
Course documentation
1 x night + half board, shared room
Double room/single room subject to availability at extra charge
4 - 8 participants/mountain guide
1st day: Welcome at 9:30 am in St.Antönien-Platz in the Hotel Madrisajoch for a meeting.
In the morning we will deal with the basics in an exciting presentation in the seminar room:
- Types of avalanches and their origin
- Types of snow and their risks
- avalanche-inducing factors
- Recognizing potential dangers in the avalanche bulletin
- the reduction methods 3 x 3 and graphise method
- the WhiteRisk model from SLF Davos
- Route planning for avalanche prevention
- Getting to know the LVS/avalanche buried search device
In the afternoon we are on a first short application tour and examine the snow cover.
- Dig and evaluate snow profile
- identify critical layers in the profile
- Slip block test
- Exercises with the avalanche transceiver, handling the shovel and probe when searching for buried subjects.
- Intensive realistic rescue exercise
- Single and multiple burials
Meeting in the evening at the hotel/mountain house after dinner. Tour planning for day 2. overnight stay.
2nd day: Breakfast and the rest of the tour planning according to the new conditions of this day.
- Application of risk management on a tour
- practical application of the reduction method: Go or not to Go!
- Recognition of alarm signals and avalanche forming factors in snow (factor wind!)
- Terrain assessment, route selection, slope exposure Recognition and measurement of slope inclination
- safe route selection and track layout for ascent and descent (descent)
Final briefing at the hotel around 4:00. We're going home.
Learn how to deal with avalanche danger in the Avalanche Course Switzerland...
We generally structure the avalanche course in a humorous and emphatic way. This allows us to create a certain fun factor in learning. However, avalanche danger is a complex subject. Therefore, a certain seriousness and excitement is guaranteed. We bring you closer to the topic of avalanche danger and always ensure a balanced density of information. We are also there for you if you have any questions about avalanche transceivers, probes and shovels or specific techniques. What will you learn on the avalanche course? In general, our course is aimed at people who want to go off-piste. The avalanche course is also aimed at people who are interested in learning more about this complex subject.
After the course, you will be able to better assess the risk of avalanches and protect yourself and others before the avalanche triggers. We will give you the most important reduction methods along the way. Logically thought-out tour planning is also part of the tools of the trade.
We teach you how to use an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel. Behavior and use after a dangerous situation is particularly important to us. We teach you rescue exercises and support you in your first snow and snowpack analysis. The Swiss avalanche course consists of two parts: We use a little time for the theoretical part and then move on to the practical part. Of course, you will receive an exclusive certificate from us at the end of the course.
Here's to a new adventure full of safety!
