Avalanche awareness course, Chamonix

Venturing off-piste can provide skiers with the ultimate exhilaration of remote locations and fantastic powder, but being away from it all on unpatrolled slopes is not without danger. The hazards of avalanches are always present in the mountains.

This one day course covers both risk analysis and disaster management. You will be taught to recognise avalanche hazards, and how terrain, aspect, wind and temperature, together with weather history, all play a part in assessing avalanche risk. You will be taken through the use of avalanche transceivers and practise a number of search scenarios using transceivers together with other techniques

While not a substitute for the experience of a guide, our mountain-craft courses are ideal for those who want to start acquiring the knowledge and skills needed for safe travel in mountain environments. Avoidance of risks is the principle safety policy, but should accidents occur, the nature of being off-piste means dealing with the scenario without external assistance. Self-help techniques are also covered.

These courses are suited for all winter sports enthusiasts, and we would recommend undertaking a course each season to refresh and add to your knowledge.

Back in the village you will be staying in high comfort with fully catered chalet accommodation!

We will use Yeti Lodge for our all-inclusive winter courses. Yeti Lodge is a high standard, fully catered chalet located in the charming village of Argentière, close to our office and sport shop for your convenience. The chalet has a sauna, hot tub and superb views of Mont Blanc. The luxurious and spacious bedrooms are twin, triple or quad bedded, so you should be prepared to share your room with other course participants. The comfortable lounge area has a real fireplace, satellite TV & DVD and free WIFI. There is a secure indoor car park, ski lockers and overnight ski boot warmers in the basement. All meals (breakfast, afternoon tea and three-course dinner) are included and prepared by our hosts, so you can relax and fully enjoy the course.

Please note: Friday night is Yeti staff night off so you have a chance to go out and explore the restaurants in Argentière or Chamonix.

Course Details:

Duration: 1 day

2010 dates:

Every Wednesday and Saturday from mid-December to the end of April. Already made groups of 4-8 people can book any day

Group Size: 4-8

Ratio: 1:8

Included: Guide fee, avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, group technical equipment.

Not included: Personal equipment, mountain rescue insurance, lifts, food, transports.

Price: 80€ per person

(Price less accommodation and meals 1,450€ per person.)

For whom: Skiers and snowboarders of all levels. We strongly recommend anyone who skis off-piste or who is going ski touring, for example on the Haute Route, to do a course like this first.

If you are looking for a more in dept avalanche course we recommned the 3 days AIARE level 1 avalanche course.

Founded in 2001 by Russell Brice, the Chamonix Experience team has expanded to include Martina, Elizabeth and Anne in the office and 20-25 fully qualified IFMGA mountain guides working for us on a regular basis. All mountain lovers, we have skied, climbed and hiked many of the routes around the area and spend our lunch hours and days off exploring more in the Mont Blanc range and the rest of the world!

You find our office at the Alpcenter in Argentiere. During the winter and summer seasons we are open seven days a week to assist you with any last minute bookings or changes. In between seasons we are more or less open Monday to Friday during normal office hours.