Build on the foundations of Avalanche Skills Course 1 with this four day course designed for backcountry recreationalists.
The Avalanche Skills Course 2 (previously known as Backcountry Avalanche Awareness) is the highest recreational level course available in New Zealand and builds on the skills and knowledge gained in ASC1. This course is suitable for those who have completed a level 1 course and spent time in the backcountry during winter, whether that’s tramping, hunting, ski touring, split boarding or mountaineering. It is not for beginners entering the alpine environment.
The course reinforces what was learnt in an Avalanche Skills Course 1 and expands on personal preparation, snow tests, snow metamorphism, route decision-making and rescue skills. It will suit those who are interested in progressing with their avalanche skills sets and are looking to gain knowledge to allow them to cautiously approach more challenging avalanche terrain when in the backcountry.
Basecamp Adventures is a Mountain Safety Council endorsed provider of ASC2. Our instructors hold the highest professional avalanche qualification (Avalanche Risk Management Level 6), as well as relevant guiding qualifications.
This course will be held at various outdoor venues across the Southern Lakes District, with travel to/ from Basecamp Adventures provided.
During Winter 2026 we are running one ‘on foot’ course, aimed at aspiring mountaineers and transalpine trampers and hunters; and one ‘on skis/ boards’ course aimed at backcountry ski tourers. Spaces are limited!
Avalanche Skills Course 2 Curriculum
This course focuses on:
- Trip planning and preparation
- Avalanche formation
- Weather, terrain, snowpack factors relating to avalanche conditions
- Basic snowpack metamorphism
- Using the NZ Avalanche Advisory
- Safe travel techniques and decision-making in avalanche terrain
- Snow tests
- Human factors and decision-making tools, including mindset
- Avalanche rescue
This course is a mixture of theory and practical, but you will head out each day into the snow. This will be a mixture of inbounds and out of bounds (backcountry), accessing different venues, including the Remarkables and Pisa Mountains. The course will be taught over four days, on foot, using snowshoes or crampons to cover the terrain. There is an assessed transceiver component, for which you will receive a certificate of competence, along with your certificate of attendance.
Dates & Prices
Course includes:
Avalanche equipment – transceiver, shovel and probe
Equipment for travelling on snow – snowshoes, poles, crampons, ice axe, helmet
All course materials provided by Mountain Safety Council – text book (Avalanche Awareness in the NZ Backcountry by Penny Goddard), avalanche assessor card, certificates of attendance and competency
Transport to/ from Basecamp Adventures Queenstown to the snow each day
Your experienced instructor, who holds Avalanche Risk Management Level 6 (formerly Avalanche 2), alpine guiding and outdoor first aid qualifications
Course excludes:
Touring Equipment for ‘On skis/ boards’ course. You must provide your own touring skis or splitboard, helmet and poles in good working condition.
For the touring course, you need to have skied off piste and be at least an intermediate skier.
Dates for Winter 2026
‘On Foot’ Course – Fri 31st July-Mon 3rd August
‘On Skis/ Boards’ Course – Fri 28th-Mon 31st August
$1,399 per person Book Now
*Minimum group size required, courses are confirmed once 3 or more people book.
