Mountain Safety Council Avalanche Education programs.
Delivered by our qualified and experienced instructors.
Every year, backcountry users across New Zealand are caught in avalanches that could have been avoided with better knowledge and decision-making skills. Whether you are a ski tourer, snowboarder, climber, or tramper heading into alpine terrain, understanding avalanche hazard is essential for your safety and the safety of everyone you travel with.
Peak Experience runs Mountain Safety Council (MSC) avalanche courses from Wanaka, in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Our courses are taught by IFMGA and NZMGA-qualified mountain guides who live and work in this terrain year-round. With decades of combined experience in avalanche terrain assessment, route planning, and companion rescue, our instructors bring real-world decision-making into every session.
We offer two course levels:
ASC 1 (Avalanche Skills Course Level 1) for those new to backcountry travel
ASC 2 (Avalanche Skills Course Level 2) for experienced backcountry users wanting to deepen their understanding of snowpack analysis, terrain management, and risk assessment.
Both courses combine classroom theory with extensive field time in real avalanche terrain around the Wanaka region.
Who these Courses are for
Our avalanche courses are designed for anyone who travels in or near avalanche terrain in New Zealand:
No prior avalanche training is required for ASC1. For ASC2, you should have completed ASC1 (or equivalent) and have at least one season of backcountry experience. If you are unsure which level suits you, contact Peak Experience and we will help you decide.
The ASC1 is New Zealand’s foundational avalanche safety course, developed by the Mountain Safety Council and delivered by approved providers like Peak Experience. Over 1.5 days of classroom and field instruction, you will learn to recognise avalanche terrain, interpret the NZ Avalanche Advisory, and make sound travel decisions in the backcountry.
Peak Experience also offers a Ski Touring Combo option that pairs the ASC1 with guided backcountry ski touring days, so you can immediately apply your new skills in real terrain with an experienced guide.
DURATION
1 evening plus 1 day
COURSE DATES 2026
Evening lecture on day previously
July
5th – spaces available
12th – spaces available
19th – spaces available
26th – spaces available
August
16th – spaces available
Duration
1 evening plus 2 Days – ASC 1 program + ski touring day
COURSE DATES 2026
Evening lecture on day previously
July
4,5th – spaces available
11,12th – spaces available
18,19th – spaces available
25,26th – spaces available
August
15,16th – spaces available
Evening Lecture – meet 6:30 pm
Location TBA
Day 1
8 am – meet and depart for ski field
Day on ski field
Depart 3:30 pm
Debrief in Town
Trip Planning (Optional Extra Day)
Day 2 (Optional Terrain / Ski Touring Day)
8 am – Meet and check weather plans
Depart for ski field 8:30 am
Day touring
Depart Ski Field 4 pm
Debrief
Ski touring equipment – if Backcountry day is programmed(or split boards etc)
Ski equipment for normal day on ski field
Avalanche beacon / Shovel / Probe
Pack sufficient to carry all equipment
Water / personal first aid
Ski field Passes (purchased on day)
Note books (small) pen / pencil
Equipment and clothing for alpine environment – including snow googles and sunglasses.
ASC2 builds on the foundations of ASC1 and is designed for backcountry users who have at least one season of experience in avalanche terrain. Over 4 days of intensive training, you will develop a deeper understanding of snowpack structure, learn to conduct and interpret snow profiles, and refine your decision-making frameworks for complex terrain.
By the end of ASC2, you will have the knowledge and field skills to plan and execute backcountry trips with greater independence and confidence. This course is taught entirely in the field around the Wanaka and Southern Alps region, using real-time avalanche conditions as the classroom.
DURATION
4 days
Based from Wanaka, we will use the best weather and snow conditions to choose our training venues
Daily Helicopter access options available (Mt Cook only )
COURSE DATES 2026
JULY 17th – 20th
AUGUST 21st – 24th
SEPTEMBER 4th – 7th
Pre Program Evening Lecture
meet 6:30 pm
Location TBA
Day 1
7 am – meet / Planning
8 am Depart for Ski touring
5 pm Return to Town & Debrief
Trip Planning
Day 2
7 am – Meet and check weather plans
Depart for ski field 8am
Ski touring
4 pm Depart Ski Field
5 pm Debrief / Planning
Day 3
7 am – Meet and check weather plans
Depart for ski field 8am
Ski touring
4 pm Depart Ski Field
5 pm Debrief / Planning
Day 4
7 am – Meet and check weather plans
Depart for ski field 8am
Ski touring & Full Avalanche rescue scenario
4 pm Debrief
Ski touring equipment (or split boards etc)
Avalanche becon / Shovel / Probe
Pack / Water / personal first aid
Ski field Passes (purchased on day)
Note books (small) pen / pencil
Equipment and clothing for alpine environment – including snow googles and sunglasses.
Backcountry Avalanche
This course is specifically tailored to enhance and expand your knowledge on avalanche education, skills, and overall experience. Through our meticulously crafted curriculum, spanning over a course duration of 4 days, you will have the opportunity to acquire invaluable expertise in terrain analysis and movement, snowpack, weather and rescue.
As a fundamental component of this MSC accredited Backcountry Avalanche Course, we are committed to taking you out into the heart of the backcountry on a daily basis. This immersive approach allows you to learn directly from our highly experienced and professional guides, empowering you with the necessary tools to make sound judgments and decisions during your exhilarating mountain tours.
Peak Experience avalanche courses are taught by IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations) and NZMGA-certified mountain guides. This is the highest professional qualification in mountain guiding worldwide. Our instructors are not just course providers – they are working mountain guides who assess avalanche conditions every day during the winter season.
Peak Experience is AdventureMark accredited and holds a Department of Conservation (DOC) concession for operating in national parks and conservation land across the Southern Alps.
Q1: Do I need any experience before taking an avalanche course?
No prior avalanche training is needed for ASC1. You should be comfortable spending a day outdoors in winter conditions and be able to walk on snow for several hours. Basic skiing or snowboarding ability is helpful if you plan to use those skills in the backcountry, but the ASC1 also suits trampers and climbers. For ASC2, you need to have completed ASC1 (or an equivalent course) and have at least one season of backcountry experience
Q2: What equipment do I need to bring?
You will need warm layered clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, sturdy footwear (boots suitable for snow travel), sunglasses, sunscreen, lunch, and water. For courses with a backcountry ski day, you will also need ski touring equipment (skis, skins, boots) or a splitboard. Peak Experience provides avalanche transceivers (beacons), probes, and shovels for the course. A full equipment list is sent when you book.
Q3: Where are the courses held?
Courses are based in Wanaka, New Zealand. Classroom sessions are held in Wanaka (location confirmed at booking). Field days take place in backcountry terrain around the Wanaka region, including areas near Treble Cone, Cardrona, and the surrounding Southern Alps. The exact field locations depend on current snow and avalanche conditions.
Q4: When do avalanche courses run?
Peak Experience avalanche courses run during the New Zealand winter and spring season, typically from June through October. Exact dates depend on snow conditions and bookings. Check our booking form for upcoming scheduled dates, or contact us to arrange a private course for your group.
ASC1 is a 1.5-day introductory course covering avalanche awareness, the NZ Avalanche Advisory, basic terrain recognition, safe travel techniques, and companion rescue skills.
ASC2 is a 4-day advanced course that builds on ASC1 with snowpack analysis, snow profile assessment, advanced terrain management, and more complex decision-making frameworks.
ASC1 is for beginners; ASC2 is for those with at least one season of backcountry experience after completing ASC1.
ASC1 Skills Course Only: $350 per person.
ASC1 Ski Touring Combo (course + guided backcountry day): $600 per person.
ASC2: $1,200 per person (minimum 4 participants). All prices are in NZD and include instruction, course materials, and avalanche safety equipment (beacon, probe, shovel) for the duration of the course. Ski area lift passes and personal ski/snowboard equipment are not included.
On completion of an ASC1 or ASC2, you receive a certificate from the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC). This is the nationally recognised standard for avalanche education in New Zealand. The certificate confirms you have met the MSC minimum learning outcomes for that level.
Q8: Can I do the course if I cannot ski or snowboard?
Yes. The ASC1 Skills Course Only option does not require skiing or snowboarding ability. Field sessions involve walking on snow in boots. If you want the Ski Touring Combo, you will need basic ski touring skills. Contact Peak Experience if you are unsure which option suits you.
If conditions prevent the course from running safely, Peak Experience will reschedule to the next available date at no additional cost. We monitor weather and avalanche conditions closely and will contact you in advance if a date change is needed. Full refund is available if no suitable alternative date can be arranged.
Q10: Who teaches the courses?
All Peak Experience avalanche courses are taught by IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations) and NZMGA (New Zealand Mountain Guides Association) certified mountain guides. These are professionally qualified guides who assess avalanche conditions as part of their daily work during the winter season, bringing real-world decision-making experience into every course.
