MSC Accredited
Avalanche Skills Course 1
Essential skills to recognise and manage avalanche risk in the backcountry
Winter Adventures Courses Two Thumb Range Ski Tekapo Mountaineering & Climbing Courses Backcountry Skills CoursesMSC Avalanche Skills Course 1
MSC Avalanche Skills Course 1
Build the essential skills to recognise and manage avalanche risk in the backcountry
Learn to identify avalanche hazards, use forecasts, and make better decisions in the field with our MSC Avalanche Skills Course 1 (ASC1). This practical, hands-on course is designed for anyone entering the winter backcountry — whether you’re ski touring, splitboarding, mountaineering, tramping, or snowshoeing.
Based in the Two Thumb Range, this course combines learning theory with real-world field training to help you make better decisions in New Zealand’s alpine environment.
What is Avalanche Skills Course 1?
MSC Avalanche Skills Course 1 (ASC1) is the entry-level standard for avalanche education in New Zealand. It provides a solid foundation in avalanche awareness, terrain recognition, and safe travel practices.
This course focuses on understanding where avalanches occur, how to avoid them, and what to do if something goes wrong. Check out the Course Content section to see what you'll learn.
No prior avalanche training is required.
Who is This Course For?
MSC Avalanche Skills Course 1 is ideal for:
- Ski tourers and split-boarders new to the backcountry
- Alpine climbers and mountaineers
- Winter trampers and snowshoers
- Adventure racers preparing for alpine events
- Anyone travelling in avalanche-prone terrain in winter
If you’re heading beyond ski area boundaries, this course is strongly recommended.
Small Groups. Real Learning.
We keep group sizes small to ensure high-quality instruction and plenty of hands-on practice.
Our experienced instructors provide:
- Clear, practical teaching
- Individual feedback and coaching
- Real-world insights from New Zealand conditions
- A supportive, engaging learning environment
Learn in the Two Thumb Range
Our ASC1 courses are based in the Mackenzie region, with training delivered in the Two Thumb Range and surrounding backcountry.
This area offers:
- Plenty of accessible avalanche terrain
- Slopes suitable for introductory learning
- Reliable winter snow conditions
- A safe but realistic environment to build skills
Courses are based out of ski lodges and private alpine huts, creating an immersive learning experience with easy access to terrain.
Fox Peak Ski Lodge
Set in a sheltered alpine location in the Two Thumb Range, Fox Peak Ski Lodge provides a comfortable and practical base for winter courses.
The lodge offers bunkroom accommodation for up to 40 people, with a heated common room, full kitchen, drying room, and hot showers — everything needed to stay warm and organised during multi-day courses.
Its close proximity to the Fox Peak ski area and surrounding backcountry allows direct access to a wide range of ski touring and avalanche terrain, from gentle introductory slopes to more complex alpine environments.
This combination of simple, well-equipped accommodation and immediate access to real avalanche terrain makes it an ideal base for immersive avalanche skills courses and ski touring training, where maximising time in the field is key.
What You’ll Learn
This course is designed to give you practical, usable skills — not just theory.
By the end of ASC1, you’ll be able to:
Understand Avalanche Risk
- Recognise different types of avalanches
- Identify avalanche terrain and hazardous features
- Understand how weather and snowpack influence stability
Use Avalanche Forecasts
- Interpret the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA)
- Apply forecast information to your trip planning
- Understand danger ratings and what they mean in practice
Make Safer Decisions
- Choose appropriate routes in avalanche terrain
- Apply basic decision-making frameworks
- Recognise human factors that contribute to accidents
Use Avalanche Safety Equipment
- Operate a transceiver (beacon), probe, and shovel
- Perform efficient companion rescue
- Practise realistic rescue scenarios under time pressure
We recommend settling guiding dates well in advance since peak season times are often booked up. Please allow extra time in case you are held up in the mountains due to weather.
| Dates | Spaces |
|---|---|
| 13 - 14 Jun 2026 | 10 |
| 27 - 28 Jun 2026 | 10 |
| 11 - 12 Jul 2026 | 10 |
| 25 - 26 Jul 2026 | 10 |
| 8 - 9 Aug 2026 | 10 |
| 22 - 23 Aug 2026 | 10 |
| 5 - 6 Sep 2026 | 10 |
| 19 - 20 Sep 2026 | 10 |
| 3 - 4 Oct 2026 | 10 |
| 17 - 18 Oct 2026 | 10 |
| Updated: 19 March 2026 at 2:26 pm | |
Standard bookings
| Standard Price | 1.5 days price per person |
|---|---|
| Individual bookings group size | NZ$560 6 - 10 per guide * |
Please read the information on minimum and maximum group sizes below.
Deposit Payment
A non-refundable per-person deposit is payable to secure a booking:
- NZ$150.00
The remaining balance of the trip price (including any applicable discounts) is due 60 days prior to departure. If you are booking within 60 days of the trip start, the full amount will be due.
Booking conditionsInclusions & Exclusions
All prices include the following:
- IFMGA / NZMGA certified ski / split-board guide
- Department of Conservation licence fees
- Avalanche Awareness handbook covering course material
The following items are NOT included:
- Meals and accommodation are NOT included
Minimum & Maximum Group Size
A minimum number of 6 participants is required to run this trip. If you end up being the only person booked on the trip, you will be offered the choice of:
- paying an additional fee to run the trip at a reduced guide-to-guest ratio
( NZ$350.00 for 1.5 days ) - rescheduling to another trip/date
- a full refund
A maximum number of 10 participants per guide is defined by our safety management plan. For groups larger than this, it is usually possible to allocate additional guides.
Optional Extras
The following books are available for purchase at time of booking:
Avalanche Awareness in the New Zealand Backcountry
2nd Edition 2013
Difficulty Ratings
Endurance: 2 - Slightly challenging
A good level of aerobic fitness is expected. Suitable for people who regularly undertake multi-day hiking/trekking/tramping trips. Must be comfortable carrying a light-moderate backpack (5-8 kg) for 4-6 hours. Expect ascents of 500-800 vertical metres.
Agility: 2 - Basic scrambling agility
Some scrambling, using hands for balance. Some loose scree descents, slippery grass, mud or snow. Crampons/ice axe not expected, but may be used if conditions are icy. Some exposure to heights at times.
Technical Ski Ability: 2 - Intermediate off-piste skier / snowboarder
Used to skiing off-piste with a pack in the majority of snow conditions and competent in the skills of of side-slipping, traversing and downhill kick-turning. Able to ski in control on steeper slopes with short sections up to 30°. Limited or no previous backcountry ski / split-board experience. Borrowed or rented equipment. Learning how to kick-turn uphill and use equipment safely and efficiently.
Trip Difficulty Ratings - more infoPrevious Experience
You don’t need prior avalanche training to join ASC1. However, you should:
- Have a reasonable level of fitness
- Be comfortable travelling in winter mountain terrain
- Have basic movement skills relevant to your activity (e.g. skiing, snowshoeing, tramping, or mountaineering)
If you’re unsure, we’re happy to help you decide if this is the right course for you.
| Gear Check | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | 8:00 am | 5:00 pm |
Course Structure
The MSC Avalanche Skills Course 1 is typically delivered over 1.5 days and includes:
- Classroom sessions covering avalanche theory and planning
- Field days in real avalanche terrain
- Practical exercises and scenario-based learning
- Rescue practice using transceivers, probes, and shovels
We maximise time in the field so you can apply what you learn in realistic conditions.
What's Next After ASC2?
After completing MSC Avalanche Skills Course 1, many participants progress to Avalanche Skills Course 2 (ASC2), where you’ll develop deeper snowpack knowledge, advanced trip planning skills, and decision-making in more complex terrain.
MSC Avalanche Skills Course 1 - Clothing & Equipment Checklist
Your gear check time will be provided at time of booking. Please bring as many of the items on the equipment list as you can. We can provide (at no extra charge), any of the items in list A that you are missing. Reminder: all food is provided.
Please note that you must bring your own alpine ski touring boots, or if you need to hire them, please see below.*1 All other ski and avalanche safety equipment is provided.
*1 Ski touring boots & split-boarding gear: these can be hired from: Gnomes Alpine Sports, Darfield; Small Planet Sports, Queenstown; or MT Outdoors, Wanaka. Book any hire equipment well in advance.
*2 Blister kit: we recommend Compeed and Leukoplast - available at chemists in Christchurch, Queenstown and Wanaka.
A. Equipment which Alpine Recreation can provide if you do not have your own:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Hiking / Snowshoeing | |
| hiking boots | 1 |
| Mountaineering | |
| backpack - 45L must have side tension straps | 1 |
| Ski / Split-board | |
| ski touring equipment (excluding boots) skis with touring bindings, poles, skins, ski crampons | 1 |
| snow gaiters to fit over ski boots or built-in gaiters in your ski pants | 1 |
| Avalanche | |
| avalanche safety equipment transceiver, shovel, probe | 1 |
| Personal Clothing | |
| lightweight polypro / fleece gloves | 1 |
| polypro / merino thermal leggings | 2 |
| polypro / merino top long-sleeved | 2 |
| synthetic / fleece jacket | 1 |
| waterproof gloves / mitts with removable inner for quick drying | 1 |
| waterproof hard-shell jacket must have a hood | 1 |
| wool hat / balaclava | 1 |
| woollen socks | 2 |
| Sun / Wind Protection | |
| buff / sun scarf for protecting ears & neck | 1 |
| sun hat | 1 |
| Overnight / Camp | |
| headlamp with spare battery | 1 |
B. Equipment you must bring yourself/Alpine Recreation do not provide:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ski / Split-board | |
| alpine ski touring boots with removable liners for easy drying | 1 |
| split-boarding equipment split-board, boots, poles, skins, split-board crampons | 1 |
| Personal Clothing | |
| down jacket | (optional) 1 |
| personal underwear | 1 |
| quick-drying shirt long-sleeved, for sun protection | 1 |
| soft-shell pants | (optional) 1 |
| Sun / Wind Protection | |
| snow goggles | 1 |
| sun and lip screen high UV rating for snow | 1 |
| sun glasses high UV rating for snow | 1 |
| Overnight / Camp | |
| 3 season sleeping bag lightweight | 1 |
| ear plugs in case of snorers | 1 |
| toiletries please keep these to a minimum | 1 |
| Other | |
| camera | 1 |
| drink bottle / thermos flask wide-mouth, minimum 1 litre | 1 |
| personal first aid please provide your own blister kit | 1 |
| small dry bags for organising gear | 1 |
How do I make a booking?
Simply click on Book Your Adventure, fill out the enrolment form, and pay your deposit fee. Once you have submitted your completed enrolment form and we have received your deposit payment, we will confirm your reservation on the trip. You will receive a formal confirmation receipt by email.
Your scheduled dates don't work for me - what should I do?
Please contact us with your available dates. We may be able to accommodate your request.
What trekking equipment do I need to bring?
Please refer to the clothing and equipment checklist in the Equipment section. Any equipment you need to borrow from us will be issued by your guide at the gear check. We can provide boots, trekking poles, outdoor clothing and packs at no extra cost if necessary.
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