This intensive avalanche safety course is split over 3 days, with theory being taught in the classroom and applied in the field. You will learn all about how avalanches occur and why; how to anticipate them based on weather patterns, terrain, and snowpack.

We will teach you how to assess the risks when going off-piste and what to do in the case of an accident; you will learn how to read the snow pack, understand the weather conditions, use a transceiver to search for avalanche victims, and much more.

Should the worst happen and you find yourself at the scene of an avalanche, you will have knowledge of how to correctly use your avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe. More importantly, you will learn incident response leadership skills so that you can carry out a calm and organised search for buried victims. Understanding the roles of first aiders and emergency response teams will equip you to summon help efficiently.

The course is split between learning theory in the classroom and putting it into practice in the mountains. The lessons and exercises are practical, useful and applicable; you will learn how to identify the right questions and make your own decisions, rather than us just giving you all the “answers”. We will equip you with the tools to assess and manage potential risk when skiing or travelling in the mountains. Over three days you will have plenty of time in the Chamonix backcountry to learn about off-piste safety skills.

The course concludes with students putting their knowledge to the test by planning and leading a tour in the mountains. A final debrief includes a knowledge quiz to test student comprehension and give feedback to course instructors. Students are encouraged and counselled on how to apply the skills learned. It is important to remember that no course can fully guarantee safety, either during or after course completion. It will, however, equip you with a much greater understanding of the mountain environment.

Chamex is a recognised provider of the American Avalanche Association (A3); after a successful course, you will have a certificate that is recognised for professional needs (AMGA, AIARE, and more).