New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management (Level 5)

About the programme

Study professional avalanche risk management with the most experienced provider of avalanche education in New Zealand.

This programme provides the first level of professional training available, enabling you to work in all sectors of the avalanche management industry. 

From any location, your online study will allow you to gain a sound understanding of the underpinning theory. You will then solidify these concepts in a supportive group setting during an on-snow/classroom practical week.

Graduates may be employed or work as volunteers under (direct or indirect) supervision, in a range of operations actively assisting in the management of avalanche hazard and risk, including: ski areas, heli-ski operations, cat-skiing operations, snow-mobile operations, road contractors, alpine and other outdoor guiding and instruction operations, hunting, trekking, Department of Conservation, alpine search and rescue, and education providers.

Start dates

Our Wanaka-based programme has start dates in April, May, June and July. 

Our Whakapapa Ski Field-based programme has a start date in July.

Entry

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

• There are no academic entry requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

• You must be able to demonstrate evidence of basic ability to use avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes through a document signed and dated by a graduate of this programme (or recognised equivalent programme at this level or higher) stating that you meet the following criteria:
  • techniques for the correct and efficient use of a transceiver are demonstrated
  • a buried transceiver is found in accordance with timeframes and depths specified in industry good practice.

Download the Basic Transceiver Competence Attestation

Please note: It's highly recommended that you are capable of safely negotiating all mountain terrain and snow conditions normally encountered at a ski field in an alpine environment. If you're unable to do this using skis or a snowboard, please apply for the intake that's for those that don't yet have this ability (see which intake this in within the Workload tab). To successfully complete this programme, you also need adequate fitness and skill to move quickly over all snow conditions to perform a rescue and dig out of an avalanche victim (potentially metres deep in the snow).

English Language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes. 

Online learning requirement

You will require access to online computing facilities to undertake the distance learning packages.

Selection process

After the entry level requirements have been met, selection is based on a first-come, first-served basis until the maximum course numbers have been met.

Don't meet the entry requirements?

If you don't meet the entry requirements, there are a number of recreational level courses (historically, at least four days' in length) available worldwide that will provide the base-level of rescue skills required.

Want your existing skills recognised?

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email [email protected] or call 0800 762 786.