Wānaka, New Zealand | 12th - 13th June, 2024
The two-day conference is the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere and provides a unique opportunity for the alpine community to engage in a series of workshops and presentations that seek to extend their professional skills, knowledge and experience, and contribute to a safer alpine community.
About SHAC
Occurring every second year, SHAC attracts approximately 150 industry professionals, including ski industry snow safety practitioners, commercial alpine organisations, heli-skiing, mountaineering and guiding companies, search and rescue personnel, safety auditors, managers, and key industry influencers.
SHAC has three broad objectives:
- To provide a platform for people working in alpine snow environments to share ideas, network and enhance their knowledge and practical skills
- To build strong partnerships that connect our alpine community together, and
- To generate opportunities to develop future strategies and collaborations that help more people stay safe in the outdoors.
Please note: Opportunities to present at SHAC are now closed. This programme is subject to change at any time. Single-day ticket sales are final and dates cannot be changed after purchase. This is due to restrictions on the venue’s capacity. We apologise for any inconvenience. Jordy is internationally recognised as a leading interdisciplinary snow scientist, with publications spanning from climate change impacts on snow, to avalanche forecasting, hazard mapping, hydrology and decision-making science. Prior to joining Antarctica New Zealand in 2022 as the Chief Science Advisor, he was the Director of the Snow & Avalanche Laboratory and a Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Montana State University. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Snow Science in the Department of Geosciences for the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. Ken has engaged in a life-long practice of adventure. Certified as an IFMGA (R) guide, and with a BPE in Adventure Education, Ken has used his mountain experience to become a human hazard management innovator. His organisation, Archetypal, focuses on helping individuals gain awareness of how they are showing up to make critical decisions. His tools help in the recognition and encourage a shift from limiting human efforts, to expansive actions made from a higher set of values that foster better outcomes. Ken has climbed rock and ice, backcountry skied and alpine climbed extensively in his life, with numerous first ascents to his credit. He has held faculty positions at Thompson Rivers University and Mount Royal University in their respective outdoor programs. Ken is the author of Buried 2020 which metabolizes and makes meaning of his adventures to intentionally navigate through the difficulties of a terrible mountain tragedy he participated in as an apprentice guide. Ken lives on Vancouver Island in Canada with his partner Julie Murray and their dog Rumi. Learn more about Ken, his work, and his story at www.archetypal.ca Ethan has been the Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Centre (CAIC) since 2005. Ethan grew up in Boulder and learned to ski when he was three. He has worked with snow and avalanches since 1990. He worked as a ski patroller at Big Sky Ski Resort and as a backcountry avalanche forecaster with the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center. Ethan studied meteorology (B.S., University of Utah), mountain weather and snow-drift formation (M.S., Colorado State University), and snow metamorphism and microstructure (Ph.D., CSU). In 2016, he received the Bernie Kingery Award and a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Utah. Ethan has published a variety of articles and has been a member of national and international working groups on snow, weather, and avalanche topics. Ethan lives in Leadville with his wife and two children. From 6.30pm, food and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase (cash only). This is a great opportunity to socialise with other SHAC attendees and colleagues. During this time SHAC exhibitors may also be present to engage with. ‘To the Hills & Back’ is a heart-wrenching documentary that delves into the lives of two backcountry skiers, Katie Combaluzier and Adam Campbell, who navigate through the aftermath of separate avalanche tragedies. Despite never having met, their stories of resilience, unbreakable spirit, and iron will intersect in their shared passion for the alpine wilderness. This film is a testament to human endurance, and the transformative power of adversity. We recognise that this subject matter may evoke strong emotions and memories of tragic events that have affected members of the alpine community. We acknowledge that some members may find the film or panel discussion difficult to watch. The intention is to foster a respectful and supportive atmosphere, conducive to learning and sharing. Choose from two t-shirt designs, a beanie or a cap (or collect them all). Order now and we'll have the item(s) ready for collection when you get to SHAC! We would like to welcome individuals and teams from across the SAR sector to take part in this event which is a collaborative effort between NZSAR, the DOC Aoraki Search & Rescue Team and the Land Safety Forum. The theme for the day is “innovation”. This allows us to highlight the changing nature of Alpine SAR. We want to provide the sector with opportunities to see and discuss new equipment, rescue techniques, technology, and approaches to alpine search and rescue work.
Guest Speakers
Jordy Hendrikx
Ken Wylie
Ethan Greene
On the evening of Wednesday 12 June, join us for a film and panel discussion at the Lake Wanaka Centre.
Cost: free with your SHAC ticket, or $15 general admission
From 7.45pm we will show the film ‘To the Hills & Back’, followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Dr Ian Snape based on the theme of celebration and preparedness.
Grab some sweet merch!
Design 1
Design 2
Our tees are unisex/standard fit and made of 220GSM 100% combed cotton.
Note what design you want for when you click through to purchase.Cap
Beanie
Facilitated by Ken Wylie (IFMGA), Archetypal, in collaboration with the NZ Mountain Safety Council.
Dates: 16 and 17 June, 2024 (9am – 4.30pm)
Location: Armstrong Room, Lake Wānaka Centre, Wānaka
Cost: $170 per person, including morning and afternoon tea, for both days. Please supply your own lunch.
Date: Tuesday 11 June [the day before SHAC] (8am to 5.30pm)
Location: Lake Wānaka Conference Centre/Aspiring Helicopters
Cost: $20pp. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.
Wear comfortable clothing for a day of discussion, presentations, and hands on training. Tickets can be booked via the SHAC conference ticket system.
Partners and Exhibitors
A special thank you to our conference partner
Guest Speaker Sponsors and Exhibitors
SHAC Exhibitors
Coffee Sponsors
Lunch Sponsor
