Avalanche Course 2027
2.-4.apríl 2027
99.000 kr.
This three-day course is essential for anyone who wants to improve their decision making skills for ski touring and mountaineering. The course is intended to give students a fundamental understanding of avalanche hazards. It covers the main avalanche-forecasting methods and how they relate to terrain and travel behaviour. The course introduces the most common stability tests and includes discussion on their strengths and limitations. Students are trained in the use of avalanche beacons, shovels and probes as search-and-rescue tools, and will carry out practical exercises in operating this equipment.
Among the topics covered on the course are:
The influence of terrain and weather on avalanche risk
Use of avalanche forecasts and danger ratings
Companion rescue in avalanches
Common snow stability tests
General ski-mountaineering techniques
Route selection and terrain assessment
The instructors are experienced teachers and ski guides who work within the Mountaineering School of Iceland and have taught courses of this kind for many years, both inside and outside the school.
Subject to change. The course schedule will always be adapted to the prevailing weather and snow conditions. The goal is to make the most of the conditions, learn as much as possible from them, and enjoy skiing great snow whenever possible!
Location: Dalvík / Tröllaskagi (specific locations will be announced at a later date)
Day 1:
The course begins in Dalvík with a short indoor presentation and a review of avalanche conditions, avalanche forecasts, and weather forecasts. This is followed by a short ski touring trip in the area to assess conditions for the coming days. A brief companion rescue exercise will also be included.
Day 2:
On the second day, we will head out on a longer ski touring trip, focusing on terrain assessment, route selection, and conducting snow observations in the field.
Day 3:
We will head out on a longer ski touring trip, focusing on terrain assessment, route selection, and snow observations.
Skiing/snowboarding ability: Participants should have a good level of skiing or snowboarding ability, as the course does not focus on skiing technique and conditions may involve travelling over variable snow. As a general guideline, participants should be able to ski all marked runs confidently and safely.
Physical fitness: Participants should be in reasonable hiking shape and able to manage 500–1,000 metres of elevation gain per day.
Avalanche safety kit (transceiver, shovel, and probe) – please note that avalanche safety equipment is recommended to be less than 5–10 years old.
Ski touring equipment (or a splitboard, provided you already know how to use it): touring skis, ski boots, and poles
Ski crampons and climbing skins
Backpack
Helmet
Waterproof shell jacket and trousers
Warm insulated jacket
Warm gloves and lightweight gloves
Hat
Ski goggles
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Food for the day
Registration
Please fill in all fields to ensure your registration is valid. Please note that further information about the course will be sent by email closer to the start date.