Previously, an Australian had to give up two days of their holiday in North America or Japan to obtain formal certified avalanche training. But no longer! Starting this season Damian Banwell from The Avalanche School will be teaming up with K7 Adventures to provide world-class introductory avalanche courses in Jindabyne. The course on offer is the Canadian Avalanche Association's AST Level 1 (Avalanche Skills Training Level 1).

Not only will these courses provide an excellent start for recreational skiers and boarders, they will also provide the best possible training for APSI instructors looking to acquire their ISIA stamp, allowing much more employment opportunity internationally.

Damian and his business, The Avalanche School, are based in Hakuba Japan, where Damian lives year round. However his first skiing experience was in the late 80's in Tasmania.

""I've been living in Japan and Europe for almost 10 years now and spent most of that time focused on time in the mountains after neglecting the lifestyle for a long time in Australia. Four seasons ago I left the career workforce for good and moved to the mountains full time. This lets me ski between 80 and 120 days in the backcountry each season from November through to May. I wake up in the mountains and live a lifestyle that is very close to the snow", said Damian.

As for avalanche experience and training, Damian has been slowly chipping away at it.

"Since completing the Canadian Avalanche Association's Avalanche Operations Level 1 qualification in 2005 I have worked in the field as a tail guide with UAIGM guides and also became a contributing member of the Japan Avalanche Network, a volunteer service that is spearheading the advancement of public avalanche safety and training in Japan, based on Canadian Avalanche Association standards. I am also a member of the CAA and licensed to teach the Canadian AST 1 courses and see no reason at all why Australians can't complete this world-class training in Australia.

"The AST course is based on the latest knowledge with a very modern curriculum designed by the CAA. It covers vital topics such as how to read and understand avalanche terrain through to why we as humans are unfortunately wired to make bad decisions in risky situations, and how to manage that."

Damian has been involved with avalanche education for two seasons and last year started teaching the courses himself.

"I am very proud to be able to make this contribution to public avalanche education. Besides being a great course, the AST Level 1 is a prerequisite for those wishing to either work in the industry, or for those wanting to them go onto more advanced recreational training. If you are looking to get some avalanche training for your own safety, or as part of the ISIA qualification, it makes sense to take a certified course that also forms a prerequisite for advancement."

Course details:
Conducted over two days. The first round of courses will be offered in late June. Based on popularity, more courses will be offered in early September.

For more information about Avalanche Courses email damian.banwell@googlemail.com