Avalanche training level 1 for beginners | day course with mountain guide

Why do avalanches occur and how can you consciously keep the risk low when ski touring and freeriding?

Technics
Endurance
To the dates and registration

Eastern Switzerland
Central Switzerland
Bern region

We show you how to correctly assess the avalanche risk in deep snow. We also train how to use avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes. Searching for and rescuing buried victims is one of the basics and must be practised. We cover the various topics on a leisurely ski tour, allowing us to enjoy a beautiful tour and also provide practical training. You will have learnt the basics of avalanche awareness and rescue and gained practical experience

It is advisable to attend an avalanche awareness evening (Zurich, Bern, Churonline). This makes it easier to combine theory and practice.

  • Course content & procedure

    • Welcome and getting to know each other

      approx. 09:00 a.m.

      We get to know each other and clarify your expectations.

    • Course start and practice-orientated teaching

      600

      600

      During this training day, we will learn the basics of avalanche rescue and how to assess avalanche danger. This lays the foundation for guided and independent tours. We organise applied training during a training tour. We discuss each decision point and cover all avalanche awareness topics in different lessons.

      Daily destination: You have learnt the basics of avalanche awareness and rescue and gained important practical experience.

      Course content:

      Handling safety equipment

      • Searching with LVS
      • Sounding
      • Shovels in Grupppe

      Avalanche basics

      • Formation of avalanches (5 factors)
      • Typical avalanche patterns and their characteristics

      Decision-making tools in the field

      • Understanding the avalanche bulletin
    • Conclusion

      approx. 16:00

      We finish with a great descent and return to the same place.

  • Venues

    Eastern Switzerland: 

    Possible venues:

    • Pizol
    • Fideriser Heuberge
    • Flumserberg etc.

    Meeting point: ~09:00 - will be communicated in the week before the offer.
    Conclusion: ~16:00 at the same location - adapted to public transport

    Use of mountain railways:

    • With enough snow down to low altitudes: course without cable cars
    • If required: Use of the mountain railways for the first metres in altitude
    • Course location will be adjusted accordingly

    Central Switzerland:

    Andermatt / Oberalp Pass

    Meeting point: ~09:15, Oberalp Pass railway station - directly after arrival of public transport
    Conclusion: ~16:00 at the same location - adapted to public transport

    • Oberalp Pass only accessible by public transport in winter
    • In unfavourable conditions: Alternative location Ursenental

    Bern:

    Engstligenalp

    Meeting point: ~09:00 am, Engstligenalp valley station
    Conclusion: ~16:00 at the same location - adapted to public transport

    Use of mountain railways:

    • With enough snow down to low altitudes: course without cable cars
    • If required: Use of the mountain railways for the first metres in altitude
    • Course location will be adjusted accordingly
  • Requirements

    • You have already gained some experience on ski tours or attended a basic course.
    • You know how to ski on black pistes.
    • Stamina for short ski tours with an ascent of around 600 metres at a leisurely pace (~300m/h).
    • Splitboarders are welcome.
  • Price and services

    • CHF 195.-
    • Small group with 4 - 8 guests per mountain guide.
    • Including planning and realisation with mountain guide and his travel expenses.
    • Excluding travel expenses, possible train tickets, personal consumption.
    • In cooperation with Ski Rental Zueri, we also offer a great set price for ski touring hire equipment. Everything - skis, boots, safety set, rucksack, poles - is available for a flat rate of CHF 100. You can add this to your shopping basket and collect it from Ski Rental.
    • We also offer great deals on ski tour hire equipment:
      • Ski Rental Zueri
        • Complete equipment, i.e. skis, boots, safety set, rucksack and poles
          Flat rate for CHF 100.
        • You can add this to your shopping basket and collect it from Ski Rental.
      • Sport Trend Shop Hinwil
        • Touring ski package (touring skis incl. skins and crampons, touring boots, touring poles)
          CHF 60 for one-day courses and CHF 80 for two-day courses
        • Package Safety (avalanche transceiver, avalanche shovel and probe):
          CHF 20 for one-day courses and CHF 25 for two-day courses
        • You can collect this from the Sport Trend Shop with our booking confirmation and pay there. Please contact STS in advance to reserve the equipment. Collection on Friday and return by Tuesday.
  • Material and equipment

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, preferably directly at Florian or via the Contact form

That's what our guests say:

  • Barbara Schmid

  • Matthias Baumgardt

    Good practical course. Very competent management, consideration for weaker participants, good mix of theory and practice
  • cléo perrin

    Second time on touring skis, and I loved every part of the day. It was not about going far, but about avalanche knowledge. From identifying the dangers and dealing with the consequences of an avalanche (security kit usage), I definitely learnt a lot. Kevin was for sure an amazing instructor!
  • Claudius Hinterhäuser

    Perfect introduction to touring, whether with splitboard or skis. Highly recommended!
  • Dominik Hetzer

    Very good basic training with a great mix of theory, training and realistic exercises - there is enough time for questions and a bit of fun :-) - actually also perfect for a refresher.
  • Jimmy Harris

    Great day with Julian learning basic avalanche training. Very informative and would definitely recommend it!

Impressions: Avalanche training day level 1 for beginners

    Slug structure

How to get to the basics of avalanche management with us:

  • Saturday, 6 December 2025

    | Oberalp Pass

    Oberalp Pass

    Only 7 free places left
    Mountain guide aspirant
    CHF 195.-
  • Saturday, 13 December 2025

    | Bern

    Bern

    Only 7 free places left
    Mountain guides
    CHF 195.-
  • Tuesday, 13 January 2026

    Only 8 free places left
    Mountain guides
    CHF 195.-
  • Friday, 30 January 2026

    Only 8 free places left
    Mountain guides
    CHF 195.-

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Search for your dream tour

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Category

Period

Information on endurance and technique

Here you will find the organisation of our tours as a guideline. If you are unsure which level suits you best, feel free to get in touch - We can help you!

Technics

Technology 1 - for beginners

Easy tours, suitable for beginners. The terrain is easy and moderate. No previous mountaineering experience is necessary.

Ski toursSafe skiing on the black piste in the ski area. No previous knowledge of ski touring necessary.

Technique 2 - Leisurely tours

Easy to slightly challenging tours with short, steeper sections that we master together and with coaching. You are ready for this level after a basic or taster course.

Ski toursFirst off-piste experience up to approx. 30° slope gradient. You have mastered the basic techniques of ski touring and have some experience of hairpin bends.

Technique 3 - Medium tours

Medium-difficulty tours with short, technical sections that are easy to do with some previous experience. You have already done a few tours and feel confident with your equipment and technique.

Ski toursYou are confident in off-piste terrain up to a slope angle of approx. 35° and are proficient in hairpin bends in a variety of terrain. 

Technique 4 - First big tours

Challenging tours with longer, steeper passages that require a good level of experience and skill. We secure these sections with ropes and coach you through difficult sections. Suitable for adventure-seekers with solid basic training.

Ski toursSafe skiing in steep off-piste terrain (up to approx. 40°), solid hairpin technique. First experience with rope manoeuvres, such as roping up on the glacier and abseiling.

Technique 5 - Grand tours

Very demanding tours, with technical passages that require a good level of experience and skill. These are secured, but smooth, rapid progress is required. For experienced climbers with plenty of experience and a thirst for adventure.

Ski toursYou are a very safe skier on steep, unsecured terrain. You are a master of hairpin turns in difficult conditions and have experience with rope manoeuvres and glacier equipment.

Endurance

Endurance 1 - Easy tours

Easy tours with plenty of time to take a break and enjoy.

  • Elevation gain: approx. 500 - 800 metres per day, 
  • Pace: approx. 250 - 300 m / h.
Endurance 2 - Leisurely tours

"Normal" tour at a leisurely pace with 800 - 1000 vertical metres per day, ~300 hm / h.

Endurance 3 - Medium tours

Longer tours at a steady, fluid pace. A solid basic level of fitness is required here.

  • Elevation gain: approx. 1200 metres per day
  • Pace: approx. 350 m / h.
Endurance 4 - First big tours

Long and challenging tours at a brisk but constant pace. Ideal for active sports enthusiasts.

  • Elevation gain: up to 1500 metres per day
  • Pace: approx. 350 m / h.
Endurance 5 - Long tours

Very long tours with more than 1500 metres in altitude per day. Requires very good fitness and stamina.

  • Elevation metres: 1500 m + per day
  • Pace: approx. 400 m / h.

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