 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Folks,
Has anyone a recommendation for an avalanche safety course in or within an hour of Chamonix? I'll be there for the season and my goal is to gain enough knowledge to go touring and off piste without a guide in a safe way.
I have lots of experience doing many guided weeks of off piste and touring, in which usually 1/2 day per trip is dedicated to beacon search practice. The guides also usually impart lots of their knowledge, talking about conditions, snowpack and risks and pointing out observations. In addition to that I have read some books.
Of course though we always rely on the guides' decision making, and rarely had to rely on my own decision making.
I see that Chamex run the AIARE certification both level 1 and level 2 https://www.chamex.com/trip_courses/aiare-level-1-chamonix, which is a 3 day course and gives you a certification for 600 euro per course.
And also avalanche academy have Avalanche Foundation & Avalanche Progression 1 day each, http://www.avalancheacademy.com/courses.asp which are 100 gbp per day.
Does anyone have any experience of these courses or others?
Is the certification worth the extra cost? Or is it better investment to pay for a guide to teach me?
The actual certification means nothing to be, just whether I would learn more on that course.
Any advice appreciated!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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http://avalanchegeeks.com/
Highly recommended - Bruce & Mike are great guys and know their stuff. The only challenge might be getting booked on to a course...
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I've done multiple days with Avalanche Academy - I try to do at least one every winter. Each time it has been excellent, and one of the best days I've had out on the mountain. Top notch guides, very educational and interesting, and fun skiing.
They also do free talks each week at the start of the season if you want to try those, and see how you feel about the team. Or just to meet people and get a reminder of key points/find out latest conditions:
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| Heading to #Chamonix this winter ? Then why not check out our free avalanche awareness presentations ? Monday nights at the #Bighorn Bar. Numbers are limited so please book your spaces in advance here: https://tinyurl.com/y583taq4 |
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I’ve done the avalanche academy one and would recommend it.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks! Yeah those talks look like a good idea I already signed up for one.
Cheers for the recommendation for avalanche academy
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@alice8217, if you fancy a little light reading I would recommend.
Bruce Tremper
Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain.
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Cheers @jbob, already have it, working my way through!
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+1 for Avalanche Academy. They do great crevasse rescue courses too, which you'll need for lots of the tours around the Chamonix valley...
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Another endorsement for Bruce Tremper, terrific reading.
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