Course content

To enroll the course basic practical skills in outdoor activities or Arctic tourism are required; for instance, experience as a guide / tour leader, outdoor education qualifications from a university college or other relevant outdoor education qualifications. Also other proven expertise that substantiates that the applicant will be able to cope with the special arctic climatic conditions can provide a basis for admission. All the teaching in the field in winter mainly involves skiing, so candidates must be experienced skiers and possess sufficient physical condition and technique for long-distance skiing.

Value based guiding in Nature includes a theoretical approach and a practical focus through field trips, practical work and leadership assignments.

It comprises field excursions and courses of longer and shorter duration in the varied nature of the Arctic throughout the year.

The course content is in a nature and climate that raise high demands on the students' personal skills, mental strength and group awareness.

The course aims to gradually build-up the candidate’s expertise in hiking, skiing and camping in the Arctic nature. The course content and learning outcome is harmonized with the Specification of competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities of the International Mountain Leader in accordance with the UIMLA standard, managed in Norway by the Norwegian Nature Guide Association.

Main training courses and field trips:

• Glacier training: Glacier travel and crevasse rescue on snow covered glaciers

• Snow and avalanche training: knowledge of snow, avalanche and rescue.

• Multiday hiking excursion with camping over several days: Moving camp and focus on procedures for trekking, camping, and route finding using a map and compass.

• Day trips with a focus on trip planning; conscious decisions along the way and safe leadership of groups in the Arctic nature.

• Arctic winter camp: procedures and methods for overnight camping with tents; snow bivouac and emergency bivouac; navigation with GPS. Clothing and equipment in cold weather.

• Arctic winter skiing. Focus on overall planning and risk assessments in a complex and challenging Arctic nature

• Exam skiing trip: teacher-led skiing in small student groups. Students independently plan and lead guests on skis.

Objectives of the course

Knowledge

The student

• Has broad knowledge of topics related to safe travel and camping in arctic winter nature.

• Can update his/her knowledge in the methods and procedures of leading groups safely and environmentally friendly in arctic winter terrain.

• Has knowledge of the dynamics of an avalanche, typical avalanche weather, detecting weak snow layers and avoiding avalanche terrain, run out zones and terrain traps.

• Is familiar with research and development work in the field of snow and avalanche safety.

• Is familiar with research and development work in the field of winter travel and camp routines.

• Has knowledge of various forms of emergency snow bivouacs.

• Has knowledge of cold injuries and hypothermia.

• Can update his/her knowledge in the use and development of avalanche warning, avalanche problem and trip planning.

• Can update his/her knowledge in the use and development of clothing and equipment for travel and camp in arctic nature during winter.

• Has general knowledge of the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society of the Nordic Friluftsliv and eco-philosophy.

Skills

The student

• Can apply knowledge into practical skills in organizing and taking care of oneself and the tourist group in arctic winter nature.

• Master relevant tools, techniques and styles for establishing and safely managing a tent camp in winter.

• Can apply knowledge to practical use in establishing a snow bivouac and emergency camp.

• Can carry out planning for single and multiday trips in winter.

• Master relevant tools, techniques and styles for safe travel with groups in arctic winter terrain.

• Can apply knowledge to practical use for orienteering with a map, compass and GPS.

• Can carry out rescue operations, companion rescue and self-rescue from a glaciers crevasse on snow covered glaciers.

• Can find, recognise and evaluate avalanche terrain.

• Can apply knowledge about weather and snow conditions to assess avalanche danger.

• Master relevant tools, techniques and forms of communication for safe travel by avoiding avalanche release and runout zones and can carry out rescue operations and companion rescue in avalanches.

• Master relevant tools, techniques and styles to be a nature guide and an outdoor leader in the arctic.

• Develop awareness regarding their own values ​​related to nature guiding and tourism.

• Can exchange opinions and experiences with others college guides and administration, thereby contribute to the development of good practice of nature guiding in their community.

General competence

The student

• Can plan and lead a tourist group safely in Arctic winter conditions

• Can plan, and lead assessment of routes, campsites and group organization in a complex arctic winter nature.

• Can plan and lead a tent camp in winter.

• Can plan and lead a tourist group in establishing snow bivouac and emergency bivouac.

• Has insight of their personal and the groups limitations and plan travel according to ability.

• Has insight of the impact strong winds can have on a camp site and emergency procedures if a tent cannot be used.

• Has insight of the importance of being able to adapt the program to changes in group limitations, conditions and weather.

• Has insight into the connection between good experiences and learning of guests in the nature.

• Master relevant tools, techniques and styles to facilitate and enhance a guest’s experience of nature and in that context, create space for reflection and contemplation.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

This subject will be taught with a focus on individual development. The teaching will include a combination of theoretical lectures, joint reflection discussions, guide and leadership assignments on all the trips, systematic self-evaluation and student evaluation, and supervisor discussions and case work. Guide role experience will be obtained through a practical training period. This period will be carried out as interval sessions in the autumn semester and in a longer period in the spring semester. The period should consist of about 150 hours in total. The candidate will develop a plan for the period, which must be approved by the teacher. The criteria for the period are given in a separate document, which candidates will receive at the start of the studies.

Each student is expected to work 500 hours to achieve the learning outcomes of the subject. A large part of the study program takes place in nature and includes practical exercises and the development of experience. The preparation, execution and follow-up of field trips are important. The field trips will include the day trips from Longyearbyen, and multiday excursions. Student-work related to field excursions will be organized in groups. During the course of the academic year, students will be given an increasing degree of leadership responsibility for the planning, execution and follow-up of the field trips. Other themes will be covered in a single course or in a series of courses and includes exercises and practical work. The teaching and learning methods will be student-focused and involve problem-based learning, project work, group work, practical and methodical work with guidance throughout the course, and lectures, discussions and the use of ICT.