The Japan Avalanche Network (JAN) promotes safety in the winter mountains through avalanche information, research, and education on avalanche safety measures. The 2025-2026 season's "Avalanche Night" and "On-Snow Seminar" will begin in December
'25-26 Avalanche Night will be held nationwide and online
"Avalanche Night" is a two-hour free seminar that covers basic knowledge about avalanches and accident cases. In addition to basic knowledge about avalanches, the in-person seminar will also feature a lecture on accident cases investigated by the Japan Avalanche Network. The online seminar will also feature a professional guide who will explain key points about safety measures in the field and an explanation of the slush avalanches that are frequently reported on Mount Fuji
[Dates]
Omiya: 12/2 (Tue)
Online: 12/4 (Thu)
Osaka: 12/10 (Wed)
Shiga: 12/11 (Thu)
Nagoya: 12/12 (Fri)
Sapporo: 12/15 (Mon)
Matsumoto: 12/18 (Wed)
Koriyama: 12/20 (Sat)
Maebashi: 12/21 (Sun)
Niigata: 12/23 (Tue)
*Matsumoto is co-hosted with the Nagano Prefectural Mountaineering Center, and Niigata is co-hosted with Niigata Prefecture.
Fee: Free
Application: Use the dedicated form.
Details: https://nadare.jp/seminars-training/avalanch-night.html
Inquiries: info@nadare.jp
Practical avalanche prevention seminars held in various locations
Practical avalanche prevention training courses will also be held in various locations from the end of December. There are three types of courses: the "AvSAR Basic Course," which teaches the basics of avalanche search and rescue; the "BSC (Basic Safety Camp)," which teaches comprehensive avalanche prevention measures; and the "ASC (Advanced Safety Camp)," which is aimed at experienced participants
AvSAR Basic Course Overview
This is a one-day basic course that focuses solely on avalanche search and rescue. It is suitable for those who have purchased an avalanche beacon but are unable to practice enough because they are traveling alone, or who want to thoroughly learn the basic skills. The course uses the manual of the Japan Avalanche Search and Rescue Council, which is made up of six mountain-related organizations.
*AvSAR is abbreviated as Absur.
[Dates]
Myoko 1: December 27th (Sat)
Yamaboku: January 3rd (Sat)
Hakuba 1:
January 7th (Wed) Hakuba 2: January 10th (Sat)
Norikura Kogen: January 12th (
Mon) Hakuba 3: February
6th (Fri) Minakami: February 21st (Sat)
Pippu: February
21st (Sat) Hotaka: March 3rd (Tue)
Hakuba 4: March 6th (Fri)
Myoko 2: March 10th (Tue)
Myoko 3: March 29th (Sun)
Fee: 12,000 yen
Application: via the dedicated form
Details: https://nadare.jp/seminars-training/avsar-basic.html
Overview of BSC (Basic Safety Camp)
This two-day course covers comprehensive avalanche prevention. It offers a good balance of classroom and field sessions, and is useful for everyone from beginners who are just starting to climb snowy mountains to experienced climbers who want to review important points. You will also gain a deeper understanding of the avalanche information published by the Japan Avalanche Network
[Dates]
Mt. Yotei: 12/27 (Sat) - 28 (Sun)
Yamaboku: 1/4 (Sun) - 5 (Mon)
Hakuba 1: 1/8 (Thu) - 9 (Fri)
Hotaka 1: 1/8 (Thu) - 9 (Fri)
Hakuba 2: 1/11 (Sun) - 12 (Mon)
Hakuba 3: 2/7 (Sat) - 8 (Sun)
Pippu: 2/22 (Sun) - 23 (Mon)
Minakami Climbing: 2/22 (Sun) - 23 (Mon)
Hotaka 2: 3/4 (Wed) - 5 (Thu)
Hakuba 4: 3/7 (Sat) - 8 (Sun)
Myoko: 3/11 (Wed) - 12 (Thu)
*Climbing (walking only) is only available at the Minakami venue. Other venues are for skiers.
Fee: 27,000 yen
Application: Use the dedicated form
Details: https://nadare.jp/seminars-training/basic_safetycamp.html
ASC (Advanced Safety Camp) Overview
This three-day on-snow training course is aimed at those who have attended BSC courses. Students will learn more detailed methods for assessing snow instability and how to use the terrain and manage groups based on that information in the field. This course is suitable for group leaders and those aiming to become Level 1 avalanche workers, which are professionals
[Dates]
Hotaka (February 4-6)
*Climbing (walking only) is not permitted. Participants must be able to ski.
Fee: 35,000 yen
Application: From the dedicated form
Details: https://nadare.jp/seminars-training/advance_safetycamp.html
Contact: Japan Avalanche Network (NPO)
Email: info@nadare.jp
How JAN seminars work
The Japan Avalanche Network (JAN) provides education for both general recreational users and field professionals. For general users who go to snowy mountains for leisure or as a personal hobby, the network offers a variety of seminars to provide basic knowledge about avalanches and teach avalanche safety skills for use on snowy fields
The safety seminars are free seminars held to raise awareness of the dangers of avalanches, and involve listening to talks from experts and experienced people about basic knowledge of avalanches and examples of accidents. There are two types of avalanche nights: "Avalanche Night" and "Mini Avalanche Night."
■Avalanche Night (AN): A free two-hour seminar that covers basic knowledge about avalanches and accident cases. It is aimed at a wide range of people, from beginners to experienced climbers.
■Mini Avalanche Night (min AN): A sister event of AN. It is held by JAN members with specialized avalanche skills, with support from pro shops and manufacturers. As it is held on a smaller scale than AN, it is easy for those who are just starting out in the snow mountains or those with little experience to participate.
The "On-Snow Seminar" begins with the start of the season and consists of three programs
■ Basic Safety Camp (BSC) ... A two-day basic course covering comprehensive content related to avalanche safety measures.
■ AvSAR Basic Course ... A practical course that trains participants in everything from how to use avalanche gear such as avalanche beacons and probes to digging methods and strategic group searches.
■ Advanced Safety Camp (ASC) ... A three-day advanced course for participants who have already taken the basic course and have sufficient experience on snow.
What is the Japan Avalanche Network (JAN)?
The Japan Avalanche Network (JAN) is a non-profit professional organization that operates under four pillars: avalanche education, avalanche information, accident investigation, and resource provision for avalanche safety in winter outdoor activities. Its members are a wide range of professionals, including mountain guides, ski patrolmen, rescue team members, and other professionals who work in snowy mountains, as well as avalanche researchers and trained mountaineers
Information
Japan Avalanche Network (NPO)
https://nadare.jp/