International Mountain Leader Winter Training Overseas

Overview

Each day of the course will be spent outside in the Winter environment.  There will be a mixture of practical sessions and journeying, including a 3-day, 2-night hut to hut trip.  A wide range of topics will be covered including walking with snowshoes and microspikes, snow observations, using an avalanche forecast, track setting, the Winter environment, leadership and group management, use of a Transceiver, probe and shovel, teaching, and more.

You’ll be learning from experienced International Mountain Leaders and Mountain Guides who will help you develop your Winter knowledge and leadership, whilst supporting your progression towards assessment.

The Objectives

You’ll have completed comprehensive training against the UIMLA 2024 Standard, helping you move towards working as a leader internationally in the mountains.  You’ll have a clear understanding of how to personally progress to be successful on the Winter IML assessment.

What to Expect

Days 1 and 2

Introduction to the course.  Personal movement on snow.  Avalanche bulletin interpretation.  Snow observations.  Using a transceiver, probe and shovel.  Winterising your ropework and navigation.  Emergency procedures and shelters.  Searching for a single transceiver.

Days 3 to 5

Hut to hut expedition.  An opportunity to travel further, enabling each candidate time to track set, solve problems using the rope, spend time leading the group and getting to grips with transceiver checks.  Snow observations and understanding will be developed.  As we venture away from the valley floor there will more opportunities to learn about the Winter environment.  Searching for two transceivers.

Day 6

An opportunity for candidates to teach the skills needed to use a transceiver, probe and shovel.  We also look at managing and involvement in larger avalanche scenarios.

Experience Required

You should be 18 years old to attend this course. Before you book onto an International Mountain Leader Winter training course, you must have completed an IML Summer training course. It’s advisable to gain some snowshoe experience prior to attending this course.  You do not have to have passed the Timed Navigation Test before attending this course.

How Should I Prepare?

It’s advisable to gain some snowshoe experience prior to attending this Mountain Training accredited course.  We would recommend that you complete the SAIS Be Avalanche Aware eLearning course, found here: https://learning.sportscotland.org.uk/product?catalog=co_GML_BAAP_2025

Being familiar with the terminology and layout of the Avalanche bulletin of the country your course is based in, is also useful.  The map on https://www.avalanches.org/ will link you to the relevant area.  This website also contains a useful Glossary in multiple languages.

It’s never too early to begin learning about the environment in Winter, especially trees and animal tracks.  Come along with some fun facts to share with your peers.