Glacier Travel | Hotham

Want to learn the fundamentals of glacier travel and essential crevasse rescue techniques?

While Australia has no glaciers, this course builds foundational skills to prepare you for future guided glacier travel overseas. It introduces core concepts such as safe movement on glaciated terrain, basic rope team management, and structured responses to crevasse fall scenarios. Not a replacement for the experience or judgement of a qualified ski/mountain guide.

Small group sizes allow for hands-on learning and individual coaching in realistic alpine conditions. A selection of technical equipment will be provided for use during the course.

What you will learn

• Glacier Safety: Identify hazards like crevasses, seracs, and avalanches, and learn to assess and mitigate risks
• Equipment Essentials: Use and maintain crampons, ice axes, ropes, and harnesses for safe glacier travel
• Route Planning: Plan safe glacier routes considering terrain, weather, and group dynamics
• Rope Techniques: Move effectively in rope teams, maintaining proper spacing and coordination
• Crevasse Rescue: Practice self-rescue and assisting team members in crevasse incidents

For aspiring mountaineers and backcountry enthusiasts. No prior glacier experience required

• Course Format and Duration: Up to 4 hours of online learning followed by 2 full days in the field (note: exact start / end times TBC), guided by experienced Blizzard Academy instructors. You’ll gain hands-on experience applying glacier travel and crevasse rescue skills in realistic scenarios.
• Certification: Upon completion, participants receive a Certificate of Participation and practical skills to travel safely on glaciers.

This Course is rated BLACK in the Blizzard Uptrack. See below to learn more about the Blizzard Uptrack.

Click Go to Bookings Site for more information on the Course Outline & requirements.

Blizzard Uptrack | The Uptrack Guides progression

Where you are vs. How to Progress

GREEN

• Experience: New to the backcountry or a handful of tours; learning skinning, transitions, terrain and avalanche basics.

• Fitness: A full day is okay; snack breaks keep you moving.

• Riding Ability: Confident on most resort terrain.

• Step 1 – Building the Foundation (see other courses available from Blizzard Academy)

  • AST 1 (Avalanche basics + rescue)
  • Alpine Navigation (map/compass/GPS)
  • Intro Tours (apply AST 1, pacing, transitions)
  • ASR (Refresh your skills)BLUE

• Experience: AST 1 done or a few guided days; solid with the basics, limited time in bigger terrain.

• Fitness: Can put in vert at a steady, conversational pace.

• Riding Ability: Handle all resort terrain; adaptable to mixed snow.

• Step 2 – Expanding Skills (see other courses available from Blizzard Academy)

  • Ski Mountaineering 1 (tech mountain skills)
  • AST 2 (advanced terrain & decision-making)
  • Intermediate Tours (apply AST 2 in all terrain types)
  • Winter Camping (advanced terrain use with integrated winter camping techniques)
  • Alpine Backcountry Wilderness First Aid (highly recommended; “Survive First Aid”)BLACK

• Experience: Multiple seasons of touring or AST 2; comfortable in big terrain.

• Fitness: Strong and motivated for long days and big climbs.

• Riding Ability: Ski/ride any terrain with style.

• Step 3 – Advanced Objectives (see other courses available from Blizzard Academy)

  • Ski Mountaineering 2 (steeper terrain, technical travel & advanced transitions)
  • Glacier Travel (rope systems, crevasse rescue & glacier safety)
  • Advanced Tours (steeper lines, bigger objectives)
  • Winter Camping (complex terrain use with integrated winter camping techniques)