Avalanche Safety and Rescue Course Level 1
Are you ready to leave the controlled ski areas and venture into the backcountry? One of the first things you need to be aware of in the winter mountains are avalanches – how to recognize avalanche terrain, the principles to asses avalanche risk and how to stay safe in such environment.
During this course you will get to know how to travel safely in snow covered mountains, how to choose your line of ascent and descent, how to evaluate the terrain, how to organize a rescue operation. The practical part includes searching with an avalanche transceiver, probing, shovelling, tests and analysis of the snowpack.
Dates: 10-11 January 2026, Vihren hut / Bezbog hut
Difficulty level: Beginner
The course is suitable for complete beginners.
ITINENARY
- Day 0:
- Arrival and accommodation
Gear check - Day 1:
- Meeting in Bansko and departing towards Vihren hut.
Discussion about Snow and avalanches, which will be held during the tour, so we will be able to observe the snow conditions and take note of possible signs of instability.
Practical exercises – avalanche transceiver, search modes, searching and probing, searching for more than 1 victim, probing.
Discussion – route selection. Choosing lines for ascent and descent.
Discussion – Testing and analysing snowpack.
Night in Bansko. - Day 2:
- Leaving from Bansko to Gotse Delchev hut (Bezbog area)
Lift to Bezbog hut
Pracical exercises in the Bezbog hut area
Test and analysis of the snowpack
Working with an avalanche transceiver. Search modes, more than 1 burial. Probing. Shoveling.
Price: 254,25 BGN / 130 EUR
Minimum number of participants: 4 Maximum participants: 18
Deadline for signing up: 10 days prior to the event
Our Terms & Conditions apply
Price includes:
Training (Maximum 6 participants per 1 guide).
Price does not include:
Avalanche equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe), accommodation*, food, transportation, insurance.
Necessary equipment:
- Avalanche equipment*
- Splitboard/touring skis/snowshoes*
- Appropriate backpack (around 30L)
- Appropriate clothing
- Insurance
Important information:
- All instructors are certified and experienced mountain guides – Nikolay Pavlov – Nikyata, Pavel Peev, Vanya Crombois.
- Maximum 6 participants per 1 guide.
- Minimum number of participants: 4 Maximum participants: 18
- Equipment rental: Splitboard + skins and poles – 130 BGN for the duration of the course; snowshoes + poles – 40 BGN for the duration of the course; Avalanche equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe) – 60 BGN for the duration of the course; Touring skis – 100 BGN for the duration of the course.
- We can recommend a family guesthouse in Bansko.
- We reserve the right to make changes to itinerary, dates and location in case of bad or inappropriate weather conditions.
Galleries from previous courses:
For additional information:
info @ splitthemountain.com | + 359 878413012
In order to sign up for the course, please fill in the form below:
