New Zealand Snow Safety Institute
Back Country Skills Course for Skiers and Snowboarders
5-day Back Country Skills Course for Ski and Snowboard Mountaineering
Course Objectives:
This 5-day course is designed for Skiers and Snow boarders who wish to gain experience and
technical expertise in backcountry alpine travel.
This is an opportunity to develop survival skills like snow caving, rope skills and touring techniques.
We aim to provide a course that will equip you to safely tackle the ‘Slack Country’ as well as beginning to venture into the NZ backcountry scene.
Course content:
- Equipment selection and its proper use
- Ice axe and crampon use
- Rope Use including: Abseiling, advance anchor construction & lowering a person.
- Two tool movements
- Steep terrain mevement
- Alpine Rescue techniques
- Hauling systems
- Risk Management
- Weather, route selection & Avalanche hazard
- Winter survival & shelters including caves
- Navigation
- Glacier Travel
Equipment you are required to bring :
Backpack with Pack liner with
ski/board attachment points (45-65L)
Waterproof breathable jacket and pants
Snow Board or Skis with Touring bindings & Skins
Snowshoes or split boards if boarding
Gaiters
Layers of thermal clothing that can be varied depending on conditions
Sun hat & Beanie
Gloves - more than one pair
Sunglasses & sunscreen
Sleeping Bag
Compass ( Map K33 optional)
Snow stake*
Head Torch with spare batteries
Drink Bottle - at least 1-litre
Notebook & Pencil
Camera
Bivouac Bag*
Foam mat or Therm’A’rest
First Aid Kit including Personal Medication & treatment for cuts, blisters and pain
Personal toiletries, towel and clothes
Spare change of clothes for the lodge
including trainers/slippers
Foam mat/ Therm’A’rest
Thermo mug, cutlery & plate
Transceiver, Shovel & Probe*
PERSONAL CLIMBING EQUIPMENT INCLUDING:
Ice Axe* & Ice Hammer*
Crampons*
Climbing Helmet* or Skiing Helmet
Rock Climbing Harness with the
following* :
4x Screw-gate Carabiners,
4x Snap link Carabiners,
1x Belay device (Not Fig8 style),
3 prussic cords (1m/2m/3m),
1x 6m Cordelette,
1x5m Sling (Un-tied),
1x +/-20cm Ice Screw.
*Most technical equipment can be hired from the NZSSI with prior notice
*If you are borrowing or buying crampons ensure that they fit your boots before the course
*Ropes are provided for this course
For more detailed information on equipment please refer to the detailed equipment notes which will be supplied to you upon your course enrolment.
Participants should be over 18 years of age, fit and competent skiers or snowboarders on intermediate terrain, capable of walking up hills in the snow. And able to use a rope tow with a "Nutcracker".
If you have any pre existing conditions of which the instructor / guide should be aware of in an emergency it is your personal responsibility to inform the instructor / guide. This information will be confidential.
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