A one day course to learn how to rescue someone from an avalanche using transceivers, shovels and probes. This course is suitable for winter hillwalkers, mountaineers, climbers, and ski tourers/backcountry skiers or boarders who have this equipment and would like to learn how to use it quickly and efficiently, or to refresh existing knowledge.
All course participants MUST have completed a winter skills training course either with Mountaineering Scotland or another provider and be familiar with the use of ice axe and crampons prior to attending this course. Under exceptional circumstances we will accept people who have not attended a formal winter skills training course but who have considerable personal experience. Please contact us if you think this applies to you.
Cost: £60 for Mountaineering Scotland members.
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Meeting point:
Your course will start with a session indoors, ensuring that everyone has the appropriate kit, planning the day taking into consideration the weather and avalanche forecasts, and covering the theory of companion rescue.
The course will then move outside to cover the different aspects of companion rescue including:
We will aim to cover as much of the course outline as possible, depending on the snow and weather conditions. Please note: We cannot always guarantee sufficient snow to cover all aspects that we would like to, but we will offer relevant training, and you are guaranteed some individual tuition.
The staffing ratio is 1:6. This course is staffed with highly experienced skiing instructors who have extensive professional experience in backcountry skiing (ski touring), on-piste skiing and ski mountaineering. The staff will hold the Snowsport Scotland Mountain Ski Leader award and either the MTUK Winter Mountain Leader or Winter Climbing and Mountaineering Instructor (WMCI) Award.
Participants aged 14-17 may be accepted on this course where it is considered appropriate for their prior experience, fitness and course aims. Please contact Mountaineering Scotland before booking so we can discuss suitability, previous experience and what the participant hopes to gain from the course. For courses where accommodation is included, participants aged 14-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also booked onto the course. If the course is suitable, we will provide instructions from completing the booking.
If you have any questions regarding the content of our courses, or you're not sure if it's right for you, please contact info@mountaineering.scot
It is VITAL that you come prepared for a full day in the winter mountains to ensure that you get the most out of the course - download the kit list below.
If you don't have winter boots or crampons, here are a few options for hiring them:
Tiso Aviemore Outdoor Experience, Aviemore PH22 1RH - email cs_aviemore_oe@tiso.co.uk
If you’re hiring ski mountaineering (ski touring) equipment from Tiso Aviemore, the current prices are:
Ski mountaineering package: This includes touring skis, climbing skins, touring boots. 1 day = £35, 2 days = £65
Avalanche Safety Equipment: These are hired separately:
Shovel £5 per day, Probe £5 per day, Transceiver £15 per day.
Phone the shop for up-to-date details – The shop usually allows you to collect the equipment after 5pm the evening before your hire and return it by 5pm on the final day of hire. Bring a photo I.D. and a credit card.
Cairngorm Mountain Supplies, Aviemore. Tel 01479 810903 / cairngorm@braemarmountainsports.com
The shop hires ski touring equipment, avalanche transceivers, shovels, probes, winter mountaineering boots, ice axes, crampons. Please phone the shop for up-to-date details, including prices.
Pre-booking is essential. Please take a look at our course information and booking and cancellation conditions - by making a booking you are agreeing to these terms.
Our cancellation policy:
Course Delivery and Cancellation by Mountaineering Scotland
We endeavour to run all courses as planned. However, for operational reasons, we may from time to time need to amend or cancel a booking. Courses will proceed as scheduled unless an Amber or Red weather warning is in place for the meeting location. Where such a warning applies, the course may be cancelled, postponed or have its start time adjusted due to the increased risk associated with travel to and from the venue.
Winter courses are designed to run in a wide range of mountain conditions. Where snow cover, weather or ground conditions are less than ideal, we will adapt the teaching approach, location and activities to ensure the course remains safe, effective and focused on achieving the intended learning outcomes.
In the event of a cancellation by Mountaineering Scotland, participants will be offered either a full refund of the course fee or the option to transfer to another course of the same cost, subject to availability.
If you have any questions about bookings please get in touch.
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Mountaineering Scotland is a registered trademark of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland Limited
