Item: FINLAV – FINNISH AVALANCHE EDUCATION: A RECENTLY ESTABLISHED EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION
-
-
Title: FINLAV – FINNISH AVALANCHE EDUCATION: A RECENTLY ESTABLISHED EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2024, Tromsø, Norway
Authors:
- Eeva Mäkelä [ FINLAV Finnish Avalanche Education ]
- Sini Lahti [ FINLAV Finnish Avalanche Education ]
- Harri Lindfors [ Finnish Ski Area Association ]
Date: 2024-09-23
Abstract: Finns are active winter recreationists and backcountry skiing and freeriding has become a popular activity. Northern Finland has many fell areas which are on interest of these user groups. Finns have started to recognize that these fells also have avalanche terrain and avalanche knowledge runs hand in hand with winter recreation. Many Finns travel also to neighboring countries and further, to reach bigger mountains and more terrain which requires even more extensive avalanche knowledge. Professionals who need avalanche knowledge at their work have also noted the increasing need for skills and knowledge. Avalanche awareness amongst Finns has developed well during the recent years thanks to FINLAV – Finnish Avalanche Education. FINLAV has two educational curriculum tracks, one for winter recreationists such as backcountry skiers and freeriders and another for professional and work-related needs. FINLAV curriculum takes into consideration the current international standards and aims for high and even quality educational courses for both recreational and professional user groups. Emphasis is addressed to FINLAV Instructor Training, instructors’ teaching tools and instructors’ continuous professional development to ensure subject matter knowledge and pedagogical competence. Since the development project, which ended year 2017, FINLAV has established a recognized position as an organization offering avalanche education. The number of participants who have been on FINLAV courses has increased steadily over its operational life. Also, the brand awareness and visibility of FINLAV has increased amongst winter recreationist, professionals and general public. Despite of limited recourses and work based on voluntary work, FINLAV has been able to establish an operational administrative organization which governs the FINLAV instructors and oversees and develops the program. In this article we share the main points of the educational track and the curriculum. We share components about the FINLAV Instructor Training and present some key figures from the development of the course participant numbers over the past seven seasons since data has been collected. Lastly, we discuss about the teaching and learning tools in use at FINLAV.
Object ID: ISSW2024_P13.7.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Eeva Mäkelä
Keywords: Avalanche Education, Education, FINLAV, Finnish Avalanche Education, Finland
Page Number(s): 1760 - 1764
-