Free Avalanche Rescue Practice

When it comes to freeriding, carrying a transceiver, shovel, and probe is only half the story. Knowing how to use them—calmly, confidently, and under pressure—is what turns equipment into real safety. That’s why this season, FreeRide Republic is running free weekly avalanche rescue practice sessions in Courchevel /Meribel, designed to help riders of all levels build essential mountain skills in a supportive, fun environment.

Every Wednesday · 10:00–12:00 · Courchevel / Meribel

First session: Wednesday 7 January 2026.

Meeting point: The NID (on the blue Col De la Loze piste). The NID is a wooden shelter located riders left on the blue Col De la Loze piste, about 100m from the top of the Dou des Lanches chairlift.

What3words: washed.bunker.curtsey

👉 Book via Meet & Ride

What to Expect

Our two-hour “knowledge share” sessions focus on hands-on avalanche rescue practice. We start with a short introduction at the NID before moving outside to a suitable off-piste location nearby, where we’ll set up dedicated practice lanes.

The session will follow the FreeRide Republic structured drill that covers:

1. Start Line
2. Signal Search
3. Coarse Search
4. Fine Search
5. Pinpoint Search
6. Extraction

For more information read our learn article: Basic Avalanche Rescue Drills and download an aide-mémoire for your phone here.

We believe that practice is crucial before heading into the backcountry. So whether you’re new to your avalanche gear or simply want to sharpen your rescue practice, our sessions are designed to help you feel more confident in how to use your TSP.

What to Bring

To take part, you’ll need your own TSP kit (Transceiver, Shovel, and Probe). 
If you’re unsure whether you’re ready to join an off-piste skills session, or if you want a better sense of your current freeride ability, we recommend reading our guide:
👉 FreeRide: What’s Your Level?

You'll need to bring your own Transceiver, Shovel & Probe

How to Book

All sessions are free, but places must be reserved through our Meet & Ride booking process. Simply choose the Wednesday that suits you and secure your spot:

👉 Book via Meet & Ride

Build Skill. Build Confidence. Build Community.

Mountains demand respect—and preparation. By practicing regularly, you improve your ability to use your gear effectively, react quickly, move efficiently, and support both yourself and others in potentially critical situations. These weekly sessions are a simple, accessible way to make sure you stay sharp throughout the winter.

We’ll see you up there.