Autonomy and Safety courses in ski touring with an instructor/guide
Who is the "Autonomy and Safety" course designed for?
This course is designed for good skiers capable of going off-piste in powder snow and sometimes changing snow. It is aimed at people wishing to learn how to assess and manage the risk of avalanches in order to ski tour, at day time, on his.her own.
Prerequisites
Ability to ski off-piste in all types of snow, with constant control of speed and trajectory.
Having completed several ski touring outings, guided or not.
Ability to use ski touring equipment independently.
What are the objectives of the "Autonomy and Safety" course?
The main goal of the course is to help you develop autonomy during your first "solo" ski touring trips. While no one can guarantee absolute safety in the mountains – especially with avalanche hazards – it is possible to greatly reduce risks by relying on simple tools and methods adapted to each participant’s level.
Key aspects
Ski touring equipment and the safety trio (transceiver, shovel, probe).
Mastering uphill and downhill skiing techniques.
Responding to an accident and organizing a rescue.
Tools available for avalanche risk management.
Making the right decisions at the right time.
Managing your group during a ski tour.
Details of the "Autonomy and Safety" course
Location and duration
Refuge de PressetBeaufortain Massif - Savoie
3 or 4 days
3 days and 2 nights in the refuge
or
4 days and 3 nights in the refuge
At the refuge
TrainingTraining on avalanche risk management tools and methods.
Preparation
Preparing the next day’s tour.
Debrief
Feedback and debrief of the day’s outing.
On the field
Risk managementUsing tools and methods to manage risks and move safely.
Leading the group
Taking turns guiding the group based on the preparation done the previous evening.
Course schedule "Autonomy and Safety"
The day before – Preparation at home
With the map and risk analysis documents provided at registration, you will plan the first day’s itinerary, identify key sections, and define alternative routes for each of them.
Day 1 – Ski tour and practice
Each participant will take turns leading the group to the refuge, based on the itinerary prepared the day before. Throughout the day, the instructor will help you analyze key sections encountered along the way. Final decisions will be made by the person in charge of risk management.
At the refuge – A thoughtful après-ski
At the refuge, you’ll take time to review the choices made during the day, share observations, and compare analyses. Then, you will individually prepare the next day’s tour, using the risk analysis documents and a new map.
Day 2 – Day 3 – Day 4
On the following days, the program repeats so that you gradually gain more autonomy in managing the tour and firmly anchor your learning.
Courses dates 2026
January
3 and 4 days
10-11-12 January 20266 places available
450 €/pers
13-14-15-16 January 2026
6 places available
600 €/pers
17-18-19-20 January 2026
6 places available
600 €/pers
20-21-22 January 2026
6 places available
450 €/pers
24-25-26 January 2026
0 place available
450 €/pers
27-28-29-30 January 2026
6 places available
600 €/pers
February
3 and 4 days
31-01-02-03 February 20266 places available
600 €/pers
04-05-06 February 2026
6 places available
450 €/pers
07-08-09 February 2026
6 places available
450 €/pers
10-11-12-13 February 2026
6 places available
600 €/pers
14-15-16-17 February 2026
0 places available
600 €/pers
18-19-20 February 2026
0 places available
450 €/pers
21-22-23 February 2026
6 places available
450 €/pers
24-25-26-27 February 2026
6 places available
600 €/pers
March/April
3 and 4 days
28-01-02-03 Mrs 20266 places available
600 €/pers
04-05-06 Mars 2026
6 places available
450 €/pers
07-08-09 Mars 2026
6 places available
450 €/pers
10-11-12-13 Mars 2026
6 places available
600 €/pers
14-15-16-17 Mars 2026
6 places available
600 €/pers
18-19-20 Mars 2026
6 places available
450 €/pers
21-22-23 Mars 2026
6 places available
450 €/pers
24-25-26-27 Mars 2026
6 places available
600 €/pers
28-29-30-31 Mars 2026
6 places available
600 €/pers
01-02-03 April 2026
6 places available
450 €/pers
04-05-06 April 2026
6 places available
450 €/pers
Mountain hut closure
Useful and legal information
Meeting point "Les Pars" Car park - Aime-la-Plagne
Required level Good physical condition is required to take part in this activity. A solid level in skiing is essential: you must be able to consistently control your speed and trajectory, and be comfortable riding off-piste in changing or sometimes deep snow.
Compulsory insurance Liability insurance is mandatory in order to join our outings and courses. You must also have insurance covering Assistance, Repatriation, Search and Rescue. Please check with your insurer that you are fully covered for this specific activity, including Personal Accident Insurance.
Optional insurance It is highly recommended to have cancellation insurance in case you need to cancel your trip after booking. If you are bringing your own equipment, we also recommend having equipment insurance to cover damage, loss, or theft.
Administrative requirements A valid national identity card or passport is required.
Ski Instructors - Mountain Guides
"Towards your first solo outings in ski touring."
You would like to register for one or more of our courses? Contact us via the contact form and let us know which courses and dates you are interested in.
