Milly - Avalanche Safety Training Level 1

I really didn't know what to expect from the Avalanche Safety Training and I'm guessing if you're thinking about taking a Nonstop course, that you don't either, so here's how it went for me...

Avalanche Safety Training

It was pretty early on a Sunday morning, I'd lost an hour of sleep because of Day Lights Saving and as I sleepily stumbled onto the bus I thought: 'this better be good'. It was.

Our instructor, Braden, was a mountaineer with 10 years of Ski Patrol experience and a really fun attitude towards learning. We started off learning about how our transmitters worked, following the signals to uncover the transmitter Braden had hidden in the snow. This involved taking our skis off and scanning an area by foot. Turns out walking in powder is pretty hard work but on the plus side, it seems we are all now better at skiing than walking!

A few roll play exercises were necessary for creating an avalanche scene in which 'people' (rucksacks) needed to be rescued. Braden encouraged us to pick a group leader and fortunately we had an Aussie Police Officer on hand! After discovering that one does not mess with an Aussie Cop we stopped for a hearty packed lunch at the Griz Day Lodge. I decided to buy a cup of warming soup to have with my sandwich - a good decision as after lunch I became the imaginary victim, buried in the snow, up to my chest!

Before I was buried in the snow we spent some time testing it. We took block samples and tested to see how much force it took to make them crumble, in order to understand when it is and when it is not safe to ski or snowboard. This included sawing the snow into big blocks which was a surprisingly enjoyable exercise. And after we'd chiseled the snow away we made a rather fetching couch!

After understanding when snow is and isn't safe to ski or board on, Braden set up another avalanche scene, in which he decided I would be one victim and my rucksack would be the other (it's been sitting next to the heater all night and is nice a dry now). After I was removed from the snow, Mark and Robin decided they wanted to be buried too (I obviously made it look fun) so Braden dutifully buried them both.



Everything I learned from this day long course:

• Avalanches are dangerous - do not mess with them.

• Ski or ride with great people who know what they're doing.

• Great fun can be had even when learning about something pretty scary.

• If you like pow skiing, then you need to know how to deal with potential dangers.

• Do not mess with an Aussie Cop.

I have to say I was pretty impressed with my groups emergency responses, as was Braden. It's comforting to know that when I was buried chest-deep in the snow, my fellow Nonstoppers conducted a text book rescue. Thanks guys, I'd ride with you any time!

Find out more about the Nonstop Avalanche Safety Training and see what other activities you could add to your holiday!