Course Rates & Full Details

Cost
NZD $6400 per person

The Heliski Guides Course is very popular. Places are allocated on a first booked basis. All participants must possess a strong skiing or boarding ability and moderate level of fitness. Training manuals and field books are supplied
The Heliski Guides Course duration is 15 days and covers the following modules.

Day 1 Introduction July 13 at 1700hrs, Location Alpine Heliski Office
Course briefing, Handout of course manuals

Days 2-3 Helicopter Safety and Loading Certificate
This module covers all aspects of helicopter safety, rescue equipment and heliski specific loading procedures for the AS350B2,3 Eurocopter and the Hughes 500D,E

Days 4-6 Backcountry Skiing & Mountain Skills
This part of the course is designed to teach participants a range of advanced backcountry skills prior to their heliski training.
The topics include
• Route Selection
• Mountain Travel on skis or snowboards
• Snow Stability Evaluations and Slope Tests
• Technical Skiing skills
• Group Management
• Safety Briefings
• Avalanche Rescue and Transceiver Searching
• Office procedures and guides meetings.

Days 7-11 Heliskiing with instructors 5 days with 3 days weather cover
This is the most exciting part of the course where trainees bring together all the skills learnt so far.
During each heliski day participants are shown how to
• Load and unload heliski groups
• Make ongoing snow stability assessments
• Guide clients safely down selected runs
• Set a ski pace suitable to groups ability
• Select landing and pickup zones
• Use correct radio communications with guides and pilots
• Coordinate lunch locations and additional runs.

Day 12 Participant evaluations and recommendations
A full evaluation is given individually to participants with recommendations and issuing of final certificates.

Course Prerequisites
• Advanced-expert skiing or snowboarding skills
• Minimum of 18 years of age
• Current 16hour First Aid or above certificate
• Avalanche Safety Management Stage 1 or overseas equivalent (N:B participants may complete the Guides Training Course without Stage 1 certification, but will not be eligible to work as a guide until Stage 1 is completed).
• Previous backcountry skiing and snowboarding experience an advantage.

Cancellation policy and Booking conditions
50% deposit on booking with final balance payable 30 days prior to course start date.

Cancellation policy
Cancellations made prior to 30 days before course start will result in loss of deposit.
Cancellation made less than 30 days before course start date will result in forfeiture of total course fee.
We strongly recommend travel insurance and cancellation insurance.

Equipment Requirements
Daily field observations and field trips require participants to spend extended periods of time in the snow. Students are required to bring:
• Spare warm clothing
• Weather-proof outer garments for protection from wind, rain and snow
• Protective eye wear
• Spare hats and gloves
• Warm footwear
• Day pack

Ski Gear
Participants must be prepared for full day backcountry field excursions, which involve traveling uphill and downhill in variable conditions. Students will therefore need ski / snowboard equipment appropriate for ski-touring activities, including skins or snowshoes for boarders and BE FAMILIAR with their use.
Students must provide their own avalanche transceiver (457 kHz), snow shovel and collapsible avalanche probe.