This course teaches students how terrain, weather, and snowpack contribute to
avalanche hazards. This knowledge is used during decision-making exercises in
the classroom and in the field session. Students also become acquainted with
human factors, which skew effective decision making. The course covers movement
through avalanche terrain, route selection/hazard identification, and stability
assessments in the field environment. Also focuses heavily on the fundamentals
of self, group, and organized rescue. Students complete a written exam and
practical evaluation during field exercises. Upon course completion, students
are qualified to participate in organized rescue operations.
Prerequisites:
Excellent physical condition, since the course requires strenuous physical
exertion. Students are generally expected to perform in a variety of snow
conditions (including deep snow), hike moderate distances, climb moderate
to steep slopes, and traverse steep slopes.
Time commitment:
8 hours classroom and 8 hours of field work. Classroom time may vary
depending on the amount of preparatory work required.
Fees: $60 for NSP members.
Credential: NSP Certificate of Achievement
Continuing education recommendations: None
Instructor of record: Patrick Callery
Required text:
- Avalanche Rescue Quick Guide (#511)
- Snow Sense (#513)
Nordic Ski and Toboggan
The NSP Nordic Program is designed to help patrollers develop and refine the
skills and knowledge that ski area management or governing agencies require of
patrollers who carry out their patrol duty on nordic equipment. To help
instructors train nordic members, the national nordic committee has established
several areas of nordic training.
The Mother Lode Region Nordic Program has two main goals. The first goal is to
assist nordic patrols develop nordic toboggan instructors. The second goal is
to assist nordic patrollers become Nordic Senior patrollers by holding Nordic
Senior Ski and Toboggan clinics and evaluations.
The National Ski Patrol offers many other programs. Official course information
can be found at the NSP Education Programs website. For information
on courses offered by other patrols in the motherlode region, check out the
Mother Lode region programs website.
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Course Info