4-Day Backcountry Avalanche Course (ASC2) Hands‑On Avalanche Safety: Practical Field Skills for Experienced Alpine Travellers / Public Courses / Avalanche Courses / 4-Day Backcountry Avalanche Course (ASC2) Overview This 4-day course delivers hands-on avalanche safety training designed for experienced alpine travellers. Through practical fieldwork in uncontrolled backcountry terrain, participants will develop critical skills in avalanche awareness, decision-making, safe travel techniques, and companion rescue. Understanding the NZ Backcountry Avalanche Advisory is a vital skill that you will learn in this course. Ideal for those with prior alpine experience, this course builds confidence and competence for navigating snow-covered mountain environments beyond ski area boundaries. This course is approved by the Mountain Safety Council (MSC). You will gain an MSC certificate in Avalanche Awareness upon completion of this course. Please note: This course is delivered as a walking course. The skills and information apply to backcountry skiing, boarding, alpine hiking and mountaineering. All alpine and avalanche gear is provided. Course Details Course Location This course is delivered in the Craigieburn Range and/or Arthur’s Pass area. The course starts in Darfield (30 mins from Christchurch) at 7:30 am. We access the snow at Broken River or Mt Cheeseman ski fields on the first day and drive to our lodge in Arthur’s Pass at the end of each day. The exact locations for days 2-4 will be decided by the group and your instructor during the course, depending on local weather and snow conditions. The course finishes at 4 pm in Arthur’s Pass or Castle Hill village (approximately 1.5-2 hours from Christchurch Airport). Accommodation **All your accommodation is included in this alpine course** Arthur’s Pass This course is based out of our lodge in Arthur’s Pass Village. The lodge features bunk beds arranged across a number of bunkrooms, accommodating up to 20 people. It includes a fully equipped kitchen stocked with utensils, cookware, a refrigerator, and ovens. You will also have access to electricity, bathroom facilities, hot showers, and heating. Please remember to bring your sleeping bag and pillow. Food Food is not provided for this course. We recommend that you pack plenty of snacks and lunches that do not require cooking. You are welcome to use the full kitchen and fridge available at the lodge. Please keep in mind that the store and pub in Arthur’s Pass Village can be unreliable during winter. It’s important to come prepared to self-cater for the entire duration of the course. Free Transport If You’re Travelling From Out Of Town: Free transport is available from Christchurch for those travelling to attend our courses. Check our FAQ’s for a list of hotel pickup locations. We recommend that you arrive in Christchurch the day before your course. At the end of the course, we are more than happy to drop you back at your accommodation or directly to the airport. The earliest time we can have you back at the airport is 6 pm. Meeting locations (catch a ride with us): If you are bringing your car and want a lift, please meet us at one of the following locations: Yaldhurst McDonald’s 7:00 am (see on Google Maps) Darfield Bakery 7:30 am (see on Google Maps)* Castle Hill Village 8:30 am (see on Google Maps) *Our preferred meeting location is Darfield Bakery. OENZ Vehicles Gear & Equipment All you will need for this course is waterproof boots and regular outdoor clothing. We have all the specialist mountaineering and avalanche equipment available for you to borrow. If you have your own gear, we encourage you to bring it along, as it’s better to train with the gear you will be using in the mountains. Gear List Alpine Boot Guide Is this the right alpine course for me? OENZ Alpine Courses Flow Chart Download Flow Chart Course Outline This 4-day course continues the development of avalanche safety skills for backcountry alpine travel. This course is approved by the Mountain Safety Council (MSC). You will gain an MSC certificate upon completion of this course. Day 1: Introduction to avalanche skills & equipment AM: Pre-trip checks Packing & carrying avalanche equipment Fitting crampons & holding ice axes Checking transceivers Avalanche transceiver search practice PM: Avalanche scenario search Identifying avalanche terrain Weather & snowpack observations Evening theory session (at lodge) Day 2: Route Planning, safe travel & rescue scenarios AM: Trip planning Safe travel & avalanche avoidance techniques PM: Avalanche search practice Rescue digging Team digging scenario Full avalanche rescue scenarios Day 3: Snowpack analysis & decision making AM: Trip planning Snowpack analysis Simple stability test Snow crystal ID Hand shear Test slopes and profiles PM: Snow stability & snowpack tests Compression tests Extended column tests Day 4: Participant-led consolidation day AM: Participant-led: Trip planning Safe terrain travel techniques Snow sampling Decision making PM: Revisit or practice any skills required Download Course Outline Meet Some of Our Avalanche Instructors Alan Haslip Sarah English Frequently Asked Questions Do I need prior experience to attend this course? Yes, before attending this course you must: Be comfortable using crampons and be able to use an ice axe to perform a self-arrest before attending this course. Have attended an MSC Avalanche Skills Course 1, an equivalent, or have a similar level of knowledge. Have completed the online training and quiz at www.avalanche.net.nz/Education/ Be physically capable of walking in a variety of snow conditions. How many people will be on my course? We believe that smaller groups are more effective for this type of training. Therefore, we maintain a maximum client-to-instructor ratio of six clients per instructor. Does this avalanche awareness course have minimum numbers? Yes, the minimum number of participants required for the course to proceed at the advertised price is four people. However, if we do not meet the minimum number, we will not cancel your course. Instead, you will have the following options: 1. A shorter private course with one-on-one tuition. For example, if you are the only participant, we can cover the course content much faster, requiring fewer days. 2. You can choose to continue with the course as planned and cover the additional cost. 3. We can transfer your enrollment to another date when the course is running again. What gear do I need to attend an OENZ alpine course? You will need to bring your own clothing, waterproof gear, and boots; OENZ will provide the rest. A complete packing list is available here. Gear list Alpine boot guide Do I need to provide my own avalanche gear for the course? All avalanche gear and technical gear, such as ice axes, crampons, and transceivers, will be provided at no cost. You are welcome to bring and use your All avalanche gear and technical equipment, such as ice axes, crampons, and transceivers, will be provided at no cost. You are welcome to bring and use your own avalanche safety gear if you prefer.own avalanche safety gear if you prefer. What type of boots do I need? You will need good waterproof boots that have ankle support. Trail shoes are not appropriate for alpine use. Click here to download our Alpine boot guide. Alpine boot guide Can I hire boots for my alpine course? We do not have boots available to hire or borrow. What is the minimum age for this avalanche course? The minimum age for this course is 18 years old. 16-17-year-olds may attend this course if accompanied by an adult who is also attending this course. Do you have avalanche courses suitable for younger people? Yes, we run several family-friendly courses. Please see our family-friendly courses page for more details. 4-day backcountry avalanche course photos Avalanche rescue training Searching with an avalanche transceiver Mt Rolleston, Arthurs Pass National Park Avalanche digging practice Arthurs Pass National Park Using an avalanche probe Gearing up for a climb Still Have Questions? Get in touch with our team — we’re happy to help you prepare for your alpine adventure. 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