Off piste, free-riding and extreme skiing are getting more and more popular every year. Because of more efficient transportation and better gear the technical abilities have improved a lot for a large number of skiers and snowboarders. Therefore they are capable of mastering deep snow, couloirs and steep slops. Most of the off piste skiers or free-riders come from the pistes and not from mountaineering and because of this fact they have generally a large lack in mountaineering skills.
In 2 to 3 days (depending on previous knowledge) you will obtain the necessary basic skills. I avoid big theories and I put a lot of emphasis on practical work outdoors. You learn:
# How to judge the avalanche danger and how to deal with it.
# How to plan tours and descents.
# How do take correct decisions under pressure and in critical situations.
# How to move on glaciers.
# What to do when something happens.
Price is on agreement. Everyone who goes steep especially on long descents has to deal with dead end problems. A dead end problem is when the skier / boarder gets stuck on hidden ice or rock and gets handicapped on the descent. This leads automatically to "a stuck situation" and then to a fall down situation.
Requirements:
Safe skiing in unprepared terrain. For course 2, basic mountaineering skills are essential. For the course "solving dead end problems" skiing or boarding on minimum 45° slopes.
Service:
Ski pass and mountain guide, lessons outdoor and theory. Minimum 4, maximum 8 people.
Enrolment:
4 weeks before the course.