Hakuba Avalanche Courses
Hakuba Alpine Guides employ certified Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) instructors and offer Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Level 1 and Level 2 courses in English, in Hakuba, Japan.
Backcountry skiing and snowboarding continues to boom in popularity. Ski areas give easy access to exciting terrain, and avalanche rescue equipment can be purchased in a moment via the internet. Unfortunately, acquiring some basic training in avalanche avoidance and the correct use of rescue gear is not so easy to come by, yet it is by far the most important tool in your set of backcountry skills and equipment.
See below for course goals and objectives. Successful completion of either course will earn you a Canadian Avalanche Association certificate.
Level 1 Avalanche Skills Training (AST 1)
The AST Level 1 course is conducted over a two day period with the following structure.
Saturday morning: 3 hour classroom theory session
Saturday afternoon: practical work in the backcountry
Saturday evening: 3 hour classroom theory session
Sunday: practical work in the backcountry
Price per person: 25,000 yen. Includes guiding, transportation, insurance, CAA Avaluator and manual.
Dates for 2010: we offer AST Level 1 courses on the following weekends, or by private booking.
January 16 – 17.
February 13 – 14.
The goals and objectives of the AST Level 1 course are as follows (source: CAA Website).
Goals
The Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 Course will provide an entry-level decision-making framework that is:
• Based on the most advanced knowledge available.
• Suitable for use by people with basic training and little experience.
In addition, the course will:
• Provide the prerequisite knowledge required for further avalanche training.
• Introduce and promote the Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 Course as the logical next step for gaining intermediate-level decision-making skills.
Objectives
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
• Understand the basics of avalanche formation and release.
• Identify avalanche terrain.
• Know the steps required to plan and carry out a trip.
• Use the Avaluator™ as a decision-making tool in areas where trips are rated using the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) and where Avalanche Danger Ratings and Avalanche Bulletins are available.
• Find resources for obtaining ATES terrain ratings if their trip is not rated.
• Find resources for obtaining Avalanche Danger Ratings and Avalanche Bulletins if these are not available.
• Use appropriate travel techniques in avalanche terrain.
• Carry out a companion rescue.
• Understand the limits of their training.
Level 2 Avalanche Skills Training (AST 2)
The Level 2 course requires 5 days of classroom theory and practical backcountry tuition. We only offer the level 2 course for private bookings, tailored to meet the dates suitable to you and your group. Please contact us for more information on availability and pricing.
The goals and objectives of the AST Level 2 course are as follows (source: CAA Website).
Goals
The Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 Course will provide an intermediate level decision-making framework that is:
• Based on the most advanced knowledge available.
• Suitable for use by people with a moderate degree of training and experience.
In addition, the course will:
• Provide the prerequisite knowledge required for further avalanche training.
• Introduce and promote the Canadian Avalanche Association Industry Training Program as the accepted standard for advanced avalanche training.
Objectives
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
• Use the Avaluator™ as a filtering tool to determine when additional planning and travel techniques are required to travel safely.
• Be familiar with Avalanche Danger Ratings verification techniques for personal use on a local scale.
• Be familiar with the ATES technical model as a means to develop personal, local terrain ratings.
• Use route finding to take advantage of nuances in terrain to manage personal risk.
• Use travel techniques in avalanche terrain appropriate to the avalanche conditions.
• Proficiently carry out a companion rescue.
• Understand the limits of their training.
