The FWT has announced an official education partnership with ISTA ¬– an international, progressive avalanche awareness training program for backcountry enthusiasts. This ISTA-FWT education partnership was launched at the Chamonix and Fieburbrunn FWT stops with a final course in Verbier. ISTA education is now necessary to ensure the highest level of snow safety for FWT athletes during the Tour as well as outside of the competition environment during the winter season.

 

 

 

The ISTA program was developed for many snow-related activities including skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, heliskiing. ISTA courses combine indoor theory and outdoor practice and place the human factor at the center of the decision making process because “your most valuable safety tool is your mind.”

 

Organized into four different certification levels (Discovery, ST1, ST3, and ST3), ISTA courses progress knowledge while speaking a universal language that is understood within the community as well as internationally. ISTA encourages athletes to know their body and mind by staying within boundaries of pleasure and freedom by using the Human Factor Self-Assessment (HFSA®) before embarking upon any snow-related outdoor adventure. In addition, the BDA® framework teaches participants how to react in a situation Before and During an avalanche as well as have the necessary tools and training to react efficiently and safely After an accident occurs.

 

The ISTA program was developed by over 40 experts from 9 countries and 3 continents and is available in English, French, Italian, and German. All courses are taught by highly respected and certified IFMGA (UIAGM) and AIARE mountains guides and certified ski instructors who have completed specialized ISTA certification training.

 

By uniting athletes and professionals that are passionate about snow, the multilingual course will develop the necessary fusion of expertise and knowledge to promote the greatest possible snow safety environment during the Tour as well as set a positive example for the freeride community. ISTA courses are developed for any snow activity enthusiast and are not limited to athletes on the FWT. To find out more about the ISTA programs and courses, go to www.ista-education.com.