Avalanche Skills Course 2

NZ Mountain Safety Council accredited ASC2 - Winter 2025

Avalanche Skills Course - Level 2

The Summit Explorers Avalanche Skills Course Level 2 – previously known as Backcountry Awareness Course – is a NZ Mountain Safety Council accredited course designed to educate participants about the risks and safety measures associated with avalanches in the New Zealand mountainous terrain. It’s the highest level of recreational avalanche course available in New Zealand. The course covers topics such as snowpack assessment, avalanche terrain recognition, latest avalanche rescue techniques, and decision-making in avalanche-prone areas.

Participants should have attended the Avalanche Skills Course 1 or an equivalent avalanche awerness course. During this course we push further the learning on snow science, including factors that contribute to avalanche formation such as weather conditions, terrain features, and snowpack stability.

The course is taking place over the 4 days with theory and practice sessions. A couple fo days in the backcountry of Wanaka Local Ski Resorts and an overnight night trip in a Hut in the Pisa Range is the perfect combo to cover a great variety of terrain and have enough time in the field to learn and practice a maximum!

By completing the Avalanche Skills Course 2, participants develop essential skills to assess avalanche hazards, make informed decisions while traveling in avalanche terrain, and respond effectively in the event of an avalanche emergency. This knowledge is crucial for anyone venturing into snowy mountain environments, including backcountry skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, mountaineers, and winter recreation enthusiasts.

LOCATION

The Avalanche Skills Course 2 provided by Summit Explorers is based in Wanaka in the backcountry of Cardrona Ski Resort, Treble Cone Ski Resort and in the Pisa Range.

AVALANCHE SKILLS COURSE 2 - SYLLABUS

Better understanding and identification of avalanche terrain and its effect on avalanche danger.
Understanding of how the weather changes the snowpack and how it’s related to the avalanche danger.
Information gathering from observations in the field and using this to adjust the decision making.
Trip planning
Snow Science and Stalibilty test ( CT, ECT… )
Route finding and navigation, Safe travel techniques
Avalanche companion rescue including more complex scenarios.

Why Choose Summit Explorers ?

Years of guiding experience, safety focused, flexible and adaptative to your needs, fun, smiling…. The team of Summit Explorers mountain guides are always going above and beyond for you to have the best trip and an unforgettable mountain experience!

ASC 2

NZ$ 1490

4 day trip

BOOK TRIP

LOCATION

Wanaka / Cardrona Backcountry / Treble Cone Backcountry / Pisa Range

DATES

14th – 17th July 2025

21st – 24th July 2025

28th – 31st July 2025

SKI DIFFICULTY

intermediate

GUIDE TO CLIENT RATIO / GROUP SIZE

1 Guide for 6 people max

Itinerary

The itineray will vary, depending on the weather and snow conditions at the time of the trip. Here is a quick snip at what it would be:

Day 1. Meet in Wanaka at 8am, gear check and travel to Cardona Ski Resort for a morning outdoor session.

After Lunch, we will drive back to Wanaka for late afternoon/early eveningindoor theorie session.

Day 2. Meet in Wanaka at 8am, Travel to Treble Cone Ski Area for a full day in the Backcountry.

Day 3 & 4. Meet in Wanaka at 8am, travel to the Snow Farm and access the Pisa Conservation area for couple of days of ski touring. Night at the Kirtle Burn hut.

We will be back in Wanaka on day 4 around 4pm.

Dates & Pricing

Avalanche Skills Course - Level 2

NZ$ 1490/pp

BOOK TRIP

DATES

14th – 17th July 2025

21st – 24th July 2025

28th – 31st July 2025

PRICE INCLUDES

1 IFMGA/NZMGA Ski Guide
Avalanche Rescue Gear
Mountain Safety Council Booklet and Card
Hut Fees
Food for the night and moring in the Hut
GST

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Personal equipment
Ski-touring gear
Appropriate skiing clothes
Personal Insurance
Cancellation Insurance
Lift Pass
Lunches & Snacks

Frequently Asked Questions

What equipment do I need

– Ski Touring Gear – Rental in Wanaka possible.

– You can bring along your Avalanche Safety Gear. If you don’t have, we will provide it – Transciever, shovel, probe.

– Ski Backpack + warm clothes

– Overnight Gear for the Hut Days – Sleeping bags etc…

A full equipment list will be send to you prior the course.

DO I need a lift pass

A lift Pass is required only to access Treble Cone Backcountry – cost is NZ$75/day.

What If the weather is bad for the course ?

The Southern Alps in New Zealand is a worldwide desired climbing and skiing destination due to its remoteness and wilderness beauty. Windows of nice settled weather between fronts are oftern in place. But as for all mountain ranges in the world, the Southern Alps also has challenging weather. After all, it’s a long, high mountain range located on a tiny island surounded by the Tasman Sea and the Southern Pacific Ocean…

Summit Explorers Mountain Guides are well experienced in judging the weather and conditions to provide you the best possible trip. They will go above and beyond to make the trip happen. But sometimes, it’s out of our control, so if the weather remains terrible and prevents the course from happenning as originally planned, ( ie access to Cardrona Ski Resort closed ) you will be offered a different location ( most likely Treble Cone Ski Resort ). There will be no refund for bad weather and conditions.