APUL avalanche course 1basics of safe movement off-piste and avalanche safety

APUL Avalanche Course 1 is a 5 day course. It is open to any skier / snowboarder older than 16 years of age, APUL C or B licensee, who succeeds in the entrance exam from riding off-piste. A successful graduate receives one of the modules to achieve ISIA stamp.

The course “Avalanches 1” is focused on the problem of off-piste skiing/snowboarding and avalanche issues. It is also a preparation for further APUL training modules. It emphasize on working with avalanche equipment, the theory of avalanche formation, safety of movement off-piste and the specifics of movement through the marked terrain with a group of ski school clients. Other parts of the course Avalanches 1 are improving off-piste skiing/snowboarding skills, familiarization with the basics of orientation in unmarked terrain, snow stability test, etc. Part of the course is devoted to teaching first aid in open terrain.

The main part of the course “Avalanches 1” is off-piste training. Both ski / snowboard training and avalanche equipment training. Continuous testing of acquired skills is a matter of course. Emphasis will be placed on the following points:

• Risks of off-piste skiing/riding and understanding of the need for adequate education for teaching off-piste skiing/riding.
• Using of avalanche equipment in practice.
• Theory of avalanche issues.
• The technique of off-piste skiing/riding and its specifics.
• The necessity of the knowledge of foreign language terminology (English, German).

• Applicant must be at least 16 years old on the opening day of the course.
• Applicant must be APUL "C" or "B" licensee (ski or snowboard).
• Previous teaching practice is not required.
• Applicant must successfuly pass the entry skiing / riding test in variable snow conditions on a slope of 35 ° - 40 °

The content of the course is divided into a practical part on the slope and a theoretical part in the form of lectures and workshops. The daily program will be adapted to the weather, local and snow conditions. The course leader is responsible for editing the course program. The last day of the course is reserved for an avalanche rescue exam.

Successful graduates of the course "Avalanche 1" will:

• understand the competences of the levels of education (Euro securité x Schiführer x Bergführer) for moving with clients outside the slopes and marked mountain areas.
• understand the necessity of avalanche equipment and will be able to use it in practice.
• have theoretical knowledge of avalanche issues.
• meet one of the conditions for entering APUL "A2" course.
• seamlessly manage skiing / riding off-piste.
• meet one of the conditions for obtaining the ISIA mark.

Exam from off-piste skiing / riding and theory will take the form of continuous evaluation.

Avalanche rescue exam takes place in the terrain. The challenge is to find two buried persons in a square of 30x30 meters within 5 minutes. There are 3 attempts to pass the exam. In case of failure, the whole course needs to be repeated. 

The theory exam is in a form of a written test. To pass the test, it is necessary to correctly answer 75% of the test questions. In the case the test is not passed, the candidate is invited to an oral examination before the committee of min. of two lecturers.

• Accident insurance that covers off-piste skiing 
• Adequate ski or snowboard equipment for riding off-piste. We recommend skis at least 90mm wide.
• Avalanche equipment (transceiver, probe, shovel)
• Freeride backpack (18-30 liters) eventually incl. airbag
• Ski helmet as part of the basic equipment of each APUL instructor.
• Waterproof and warm clothing. We will spend min. of 5 hours a day outside in any kind of weather.
• Ski and sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen.
• Money for ski pass.
• Money for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (or self-catering)
• Notepad, stationery for making notes and information from workshops on and off the snow.

The basic source of information are the topics and workshops of the course.

Team of authors: HUDY INFO, special 2013, Hudy sport a.s. 11. Aug. 2013

Team of authors: Avalanches in the Giant Mountains, Hradec Králové 2013

Rudi Mair, Patrick Nairz: Avalanche, Prague 2010

All APUL courses are very intensive educational experience and are held in a mountain area and in all weather conditions. Therefore, they are physically and mentally demanding so it is recommended to dedicate sufficient attention to physical preparation few weeks before the course.

All participants of the APUL course are obliged to comply with the so-called "Ten Rules of conduct on the slopes." If any participant of the course will be systematically violate the rules of conduct on the slopes by his behaviour, threatening other course participants or other skiers, he will be asked to quit and leave the course. 

Since skiing is a risky sport, we recommend arranging the appropriate accident insurance in case of accident or injury. Participation in the course is voluntary and at your own risk. APUL does not bear any consequences for possible injuries. We recommend Alpenverrein insurance for all APUL courses organized outside Czech republic.