Meeting point
OUTDOOR - Shop and Café Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 103, 3818 Grindelwald
Taster Course Avalanches
1 day
Transceiver training: Practice multiple burials
Practical course for beginners or as a refresher
Compact: Learn the basics in one day
Season:
December March
Departure Times
Key info
Confident skiing in powder
Overview
Recommended for:
Anyone who trades comfort for the view.
Practice makes perfect: Learn or refresh how to rescue someone quickly and safely with transceiver, shovel, and probe.
In an emergency, every second counts. In this course, we teach you the basics to efficiently use a transceiver, shovel, and probe. Train realistically in the computer-controlled facility at the ski resort and apply your knowledge directly in the field. Practical, intensive, and essential for anyone venturing off-piste in winter.
Course details
AcademyLearning objectives
- Understand and practice the basics of companion rescue with avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel
- Know the differences and functions of avalanche safety equipment
- Confidently implement search tactics for single and multiple burials
- Recognize snowpack structure and typical avalanche problems
- Apply the basics of avalanche prevention in practice
Assessment methods
Progress is continuously assessed
Progress is assessed through practical exercises during training. The mountain guide observes the handling of equipment, search behavior, and implementation of rescue techniques. The goal is a safe and routine procedure in simulated scenarios.
Certification
Certificate: Avalanche Course Grindelwald
After completing the day course, participants receive a certificate. This confirms successful participation in the avalanche course in Grindelwald, but is intended as a keepsake and is not an official document.
Issued by:
Outdoor Switzerland AG
Itinerary
Meeting points Theory and Transceiver Training at the Avalanche Training Center
In the morning, we head to the Avalanche Training Center (ATC). Here you get an overview of transceiver devices, their differences, and how to operate them. What is part of a good search strategy? What mistakes are often made? We train various scenarios with the computer-controlled facility, practice the use of probe and shovel, and compare the efficiency of different search methods.
Field Training and Avalanche Knowledge
After lunch, we put what we've learned into practice outside. While skiing, we analyze the current avalanche bulletin and apply different search strategies under real conditions. How do you read the snowpack? Where is the danger? This part of the course is practice-oriented: you train with the transceiver, probe, and shovel in the field and see how theory and practice connect.
Whats included
Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
Expenses of the mountain guide
Use of the ATC set up at the ski area
Not included
Costs for cable cars and travel expenses of the guest
Snacks
Technical equipment
Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guide's share)
Pack list
Backpack
Backpack 20-25 l
Clothing
Warm, functional clothing
Gloves (ideally one thin and one thick pair)
Beanie or headband
Thermal underwear
Footwear
Ski or snowboard boots
Technical Equipment
Ski or board equipment
Ski poles (preferrably telescopic)
Helmet
LVS (avalanche transceiver)
Avalanche probe
Avalanche shovel
Avalanche airbag (optional)
Basics
Ski jacket
Ski pants
Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
Thermos flask, drink bottle
GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
Camera and binoculars (optional)
Backpack 20-25 l
Warm, functional clothing
Gloves (ideally one thin and one thick pair)
Beanie or headband
Thermal underwear
Ski or snowboard boots
Ski or board equipment
Ski poles (preferrably telescopic)
Helmet
LVS (avalanche transceiver)
Avalanche probe
Avalanche shovel
Avalanche airbag (optional)
Ski jacket
Ski pants
Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
Thermos flask, drink bottle
GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
Camera and binoculars (optional)
Weather info
General weather info
Weather can influence any tour, and a clear decision is often only possible on the day itself. We review conditions carefully and remain within our safety limits, and bad weather alone does not mean we have to stop.
Make sure we can reach you with current contact information in case your booking changes. Silence from us means your tour is still planned or the final call is not yet made. If we need to cancel, you can rebook, choose another activity, or get a full refund.
For detailed advice on how to prepare for (and enjoy!) bad weather days in Interlaken, check out our weather blog
Meeting points
Meeting points
Activity location