 Poster: A snowHead
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I would like to prepare for a weeks heli holiday in Canada next year with a mate from NZ.Any ideas where to look for some off piste instruction with avalanche equipment training in Europe ?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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adventureontheriverbank,
hi and welcome to SH's
there is a thread on Snowheads Intro to Touring 2010/11 started by offpisteskiing which may help I think the web site is www.offpisteskiing.com
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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what is the consensous on "hat" talks and avi training run in the uk ??
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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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Chat to a guy called Alan McGregor. In the winter he's based in Verbier and runs his own company specialising in exactly what you're after. He's a member of this site and his website is......
www.ski.alanmcg.co.uk
Hope this helps....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Glenmore Lodge at Aviemore are pretty good and run lots of courses
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Thanks GreyCat
Henry's Avalanche Talk is really good.
UK Training is better than reading a book, but training in the mountains is even better.
The OPs original question is quite narrow in its focus. A bit of equipment training before a heli-holiday is not a bad idea, but all the operators I've been with provide basic training anyway.
You will be in the hands of fully trained Mountain Guides or the Heli Equivalent, you don't really need to know a lot.
(Practising getting in & out of your car as quickly as possible will be more use)
BUT, & IT IS A VERY BIG BUT ...
If you are going on this sort of holiday then one assumes you already ski off-piste.
Therefore you definitely need equipment & training.
You really need to do this in the mountains, because using avalanche equipment is a very small part of it. It is more about (or should be) learning not to get in an avalanche in the first place ie. mountaincraft.
To do this, you need to be travelling in the mountains, looking at different snow & terrain.
But there is no reason why you can't learn the basics (or practice) using transceivers in the UK.
It means you don't waste skiing time & can be the easiest way of getting several transceivers together.
But this is just part of the skill set you need.
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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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Hi all and thanks for the replys, what I think would be ideal would be 2 or 3 days off piste instruction with basic avalanche awareness and rescue training preferably in the French Alps as im there a lot,any ideas or personal recomendations?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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adventureontheriverbank, see above post 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Verbier is not that far from the French Alps ...
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You know it makes sense.
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adventureontheriverbank,
If it's convenient to you (I don't know where your'e based) go to a Henry's Avalanche Talk (HAT).
Henry Schiewind (SP?) is a mountain ski guide/instructor working for Alpine Experience in Val D'Isere. Henry also does his talks in Val D'Isere nearly every week. He can therefore also teach off piste skiing and will arrange in Val D'Isere practical demonstrations of using Avi transceivers, probing and shovelling in the snow. All the deatils and costs should be on his web site.
You will only need a half day practice using avi gear.
If you go off piste skiing with a guide they generally don't waste time showing you how to use the avi gear because when you pay to go off piste skiing you don't want them to waste your skiing time.
If you've never been off piste skiing before I would concentrate on learning to ski off piste to make the most of your heli ski trip.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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For anyone that is interested, we might be running some off piste instruction and avalanche training in Les Arcs this season using local guides and instructors all in English of course. Post here, send me a PM or go to my facebook group and post something if you are interested. Before anyone complains, this is not me trying to make any money, just thought it would be a good ideas along the lines of what I use to do when repping for SCGB using local pisteurs and Instructors that are really good for anyone planning on coming to Les Arcs for a holiday. Dates are likely to be UK main holiday times but it can be flexible.
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Poster: A snowHead
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FAQ
