We’re kicking off a new season of courses and training sessions. Our goal is to strengthen and promote this incredible sport through a series of logically structured and progressively designed classes. The idea is to encourage you to practice this beautiful activity with safety and skill, providing practical tools that are easy to apply on your future backcountry trips.
The course will be delivered through online classes available on our virtual classroom and YouTube channel. You’ll be able to go through them at your own pace and schedule. After each class, you can deepen your understanding of the topics with supporting materials and a short quiz as a summary.
This course is intended for skiers and snowboarders with some backcountry experience who are looking to take the next step. An intermediate off-piste level and basic familiarity with touring equipment are recommended. Meet fellow adventurers and dive into this complete and exciting activity.
If you’d like to learn more about the course structure and content, click on the “Itinerary” tab.
BCC Level 2 – September
Classroom: 09 & 10/09
Field: 12–13–14/09
Course Details:
📍 Classroom: In-person at Colegio Qmark + online classroom for reference
🏔️ Fieldwork: Days 1 to 3: Frey trip with overnight stay
💰 Course Fee: 500 USD
Gear list
Specifics:
- Mountain skis with touring bindings and skins / Splitboard with bindings and skins
- Touring boots / snowboarding boots
- Ski poles
- Beacon, Shovel and Probe (mandatory)
- Helmet (mandatory)
- Crampons
- Goggles
- Gloves (two pairs)
- Sunglasses / Sunscreen (+50) / Lip Balm
- Piolet
Layered clothing:
- Base Layer Tops and Bottoms (Lightweight or Midweight, Synthetic)
- Fleece sweater (100/200)
- Rain Jacket
- Insulated Jacket
- Rain Pants
- Ski socks
- Change of clothes (shirt, base layer, gloves, socks, underwear)
- Cap / hat
- Buff
Other:
- Camelback
- 1lt water bottle (minimum)
- Thermos
- First aid kit
- Money and papers
- Camera and accessories
We have equipment for rent:
- Skis / Skins and Bindings
- Splitboard
- Security kit (Beacon, Shovel and Probe)
Feel free to ask pricing and availability.
Location: Bariloche, Argentina
Duration: Classroom + One class + 3 days on terrain
Dates: September
Requirements: BCC Level 1 or equivalent. Experience in planning and gear handling.
Guides and Ratio: 4:1
8 people max.
- Professional AAGM/UIMLA Ski Guide
- Classroom Access
- Textbooks
- Field book
- Satellite Communication service
- Personal insurance in case of accidents
- Skiing day-pass
- Accommodation and transfers in/to Bariloche
- Food or accommodations during days on terrain
- Security Kit
- Backcountry skis or splitboards.
- Some unspecified item in this programme.
Book your place!
OUTCOMES:
The workshop is made up of three stages. The pre-course, where we review the fundamental concepts of Level 1, and introduce advanced classes. A face-to-face class to establish classroom knowledge. Three intense days in the field.
CONTENTS:
Pre-Course
• Presentation of the classroom and pre-course materials.
Review of avalanche problems
• Types of avalanches.
• Unstable snowpack conditions.
• Avalanche size classification.
• Identify avalanche problems (conditions, formation, characteristics).
Snow cover and climate
• Snow metamorphism.
• Effects of radiation.
Planning, communication and decision making.
• Discussion on the terrain, mantle characteristics and meteorology in planning.
• Use information to plan and prepare for the field.
• Use of maps/technology.
Communication.
• Application of the plan to the terrain.
• Decision making by the group to go out into the field.
• Appropriate behaviors, and management of the group according to the conditions of the day.
• Relevant observations and objectives.
• End of day review.
• Observations and reflections with the group.
Quality observations.
• Observations in the field: Critical thresholds, red flags. Recognize and interpret.
• Interpret observations with current avalanche problems and conditions.
• Pit observations.
• Informal tests.
Terrain and appropriate behaviors
• DVA Check
• Recheck of the plan, mantle conditions, meteorology and terrain.
• Route selection.
• Group management in the field: group management and communication.
• Identification of the terrain: Use of the ATES scale. Avalanche terrain ID.
• Safe terrain choices. Open/closed land.
TERRAIN: Ref. Frey – 3 intensive days.
The objective of the workshop is to apply all the knowledge developed during the classes. That is why an area with a lot of skiable terrain with different difficulties and conditions is chosen. Some particular issues to be discussed in the field.
• Quality observations on the terrain.
• Use of the notebook for AM/PM planning.
• Use of ice axes and crampons.
• How to move safely on steep slopes.
• Search for advanced avalanche victims. Triage
The chosen place is accessible, in approximately 3 hours you can reach the refuge from Villa Catedral via the trail. You can also access by road to Nubes and from there descend the Van Titter Valley (those who have a pass or want to buy a daily pass). Both access through the slope or through the ski center requires skiing or ascending with backpacks with all the necessary material to the refuge (approx. 10-15kg).
We will spend the night at the refuge on Friday and Saturday. The practices will be in the vicinity, depending on the group it may be a longer outing. Therefore, participants must have basic experience in mountain skiing, moving on the terrain with their backpacks with the necessary material (approx. 5kg).
Days of approximately 8-10 hours are expected.
It is important to know that the departure location may change depending on snow conditions and weather during the planning days.
