APUL Avalanche course 2 off-piste guiding, ski-touring

APUL Avalanche Course 2 is a 5-course plus 2 examination days (according to the rules of the Delegated Act). It can be attended by a skier older than 17 years, who successfully completed APUL Avalanche course 1 and APUL ski course "A1". A successful graduate increases his / her qualification for guiding ski school clients in off-piste, non-glacier, terrain within the ski resort and becomes a module of international safety and security test on and off-piste (Security Test).

The course is organized in cooperation with the Czech Association of Mountain Guides and the lecturers are professional mountain guides with international UIAGM certification.

The Avalanche course 2 is the next level of the APUL educational system. Emphasis is placed on mastering the technique of ascending and skiing / riding down in the open terrain and its specifics. Another very important part is expanding the knowledge of avalanche issues and the use of avalanche equipment in practice. Furthermore, expanded knowledge of the snow, snow stability testing, decision-making strategy, orientation in the mountain terrain and preparation for organizing ski trips in the mountain terrain. In addition to the above mentioned, guidance of the group of clients in the open terrain.

Please be aware, that despite the fact that the crevasse rescue is not a part of the course, some parts of the course might take place in the glacial terrain.

The main part of the course “Avalanches 2” is off-piste training. Compared to other APUL courses, we leave the marked routes / slopes of the ski resort and so the ski-touring equipment is a must. Continuous testing of acquired skills is a matter of course. Emphasis will be placed on the following points:

• The technique of off-piste skiing/riding and its specifics.
• Methodical procedure of teaching ascending and descenting / skiing in the off-piste terrain in different types of snow and terrain.
• Guiding clients in non-glacier terrain.
• Use of avalanche equipment in practice.
• Theory of avalanche problems, decision-making strategy, presentation of avalanche situation.
• Orientation in the mountains and preparation of ski-touring trips.
• Snow science, snow stability tests.
• The necessity of the knowledge of foreign language terminology (English, German).

Applicant must be at least 17 years old on the opening day of the course.

Applicant must be a succesful graduate of APUL Avalanche course 1.

Applicant must be a succesful graduate of APUL ski course A1.

Applicant must have previous experience with ski-touring - at least 10 ski-touring trips with an elevation of 500 meters or more (the applicant will send a list of the trips before the course starts).

The course content is divided into a practical part in the backcountry and the theoretical part in the form of lectures and workshops. The daily program will be adapted to the weather and local snow conditions. The course leader is responsible for editing the course program. 

Successful graduate of the course "Avalanches 2" will:

• perfectly manage skiing / riding techniques in off-piste terrain,
• be able to use avalanche equipment and organize rescue
• have knowledge of avalanche issues,
• be able to evaluate the situation according to the information from the Internet as well as in the off-piste terrain (snow profiles, etc.),
• be able to assess risks in the off-piste terrain and make decisions,
• guide clients in the resort in the off-piste, non-glacier terrain.

The test is carried out according to the rules of the Delegated Act, which allows automatic recognition of ski instructors´ licenses within the EU.

The test has 5 modules:

1^st module: theoretical exam
‘Make an emergency call in the language of the host country to the local rescue services after an avalanche accident’.

2^nd module: practical exam
Interpretation of avalanche forecast.

3^rd module: practical exam
Guiding a group of clients in the off-piste terrain.

4^th module: practical exam
random choice of three options:
- interpretation and understanding of meteorological forecast
- undestanding of dangers in high mountain regions
- ability to access and understanding of snow cover

5^th module: practical exam
Searching for and rescue people buried under an avalanche.

Detailed description and evaluation of the tests can be found here.

• Adequate ski equipment. We recommend skis at least 90 mm wide with ski-touring binding and ski crampons.
• Accident insurance that covers off-piste skiing.
• Avalanche equipment (transceiver, probe, shovel).
• Freeride backpack with a content of 18-30l (possibly airbag), first aid kit, raincoat.
• 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 all weather conditions.
• Ski and sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen.
• Glacier equipment - ice axe, climbing harness, 3 twist lock carabiners, set of slings for crevasse rescue - equipment rental can be arranged by the course leader after previous agreement.
• 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 "Avalanches 1" and "Avalanches 2"

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.