Snow and avalanche courses ¶

• Safety service employees of district authorities, transportation routes and mountain railway and cableway operators
• Employees in crisis management teams and local authorities
• SLF observers
• Private individuals with a special interest in the subject

Basic course A imparts the knowledge required to assess the avalanche situation on the basis of publicly available and individually collected data. Avalanche service employees also learn about temporary measures taken to guard against avalanches, such as closures, evacuation and the artificial triggering of avalanches. In addition, the syllabus covers the fundamental aspects of information and data exchange, as well as safety issues. The 4-day course is targeted at avalanche service employees, SLF observers, and private individuals with a special interest in the subject.

Basic courses B supplements the knowledge imparted by basic course A. The participants learn how to both interpret the available data on the weather, snow and avalanche situation, and make appropriate decisions. Such decisions relate to closures, evacuation and the artificial and accept responsibility for the short and long-term consequences of their decisions and the residual risks. The final element of the syllabus conveys a basic understanding of the law and media/communication activities. The 4-day course is intended for decision-makers in the avalanche services and expert advisers of both this target group and decision-makers in crisis management teams.

The advanced training courses refresh the participants' basic knowledge, examine selected topics in greater depth, and introduce new subjects. The content can unclude, for example, the outcomes of recent studies, new research findings, or the presentation of novel methods and tools. Each of the advanced courses focuses on a specific topic. Among the typical subjects are observation and assessment, working in the avalanche service, and the artificial triggering of avalanches. The advanced courses also serve as a forum for sharing experiences.

The courses can be booked from early summer on. They take place in November, December and January.

2024/25                      

• Grundkurs Stufe B, 2.-6. Dezember 2024,Deutsch, Davos
• Fortbildungskurs "Beobachten und Beurteilen", 9.-11. Dezember 2024, Deutsch, Davos