Avalanche Training Australia is part of Whiteroom, the first and only company to offer Avalanche NZ courses in Australia and Japan.
At Avalanche Training Australia and Whiteroom, we are passionate about backcountry skiing & riding, it’s our business. We are also passionate about empowering backcountry enthusiasts to make informed decisions. That is why we offer certified Avalanche New Zealand accredited Avalanche Training courses in Australia and Japan.
Ross McSwiney
AVALANCHE TRAINING AUSTRALIA OPERATIONS MANAGER & TRAINER / WHITEROOM JAPAN CEO & SKI GUIDE
Ross has seen more winter than most people see in two lifetimes. Having first guided in Japan in 2009 and with Whiteroom in 2012, he heads up our Whiteroom Japan operations. He is responsible for establishing Whiteroom Guides, managing, training and sourcing new guides as well as ensuring Whiteroom runs to the highest of standards. Ross has over 28 years experience as a Thredbo Ski Patroller, National Ski Patrol Trainer & Examiner, Australian Ski Patrol Advanced Emergency Care Course Trainer & Examiner, has skied 24 seasons in Hokkaido & Northern Honshu,17 as a professional ski guide.
When not in Japan he resides in Thredbo and loves nothing more than spending time in the backcountry laying down fresh tracks and feeding observations back to Mountain Safety Collective to assist with their public Main Range forecasting.
He holds his NZ Avalanche Stage 1 Professional, Certificate IV Training & Assessment, Remote / Advanced First Aid/ Advanced Resuscitation / Occupational First Aid and is also an Avalanche Awareness and First Aid Trainer.
RONAN MAGUIRE
WHITEROOM GENERAL MANAGER, GUIDE OPERATIONS MANAGER & SKI GUIDE
An Irish man who happened to land on his feet in the high alpine of NZ. Ronan has since made the mountains his home and Guiding, Ski Patrolling, Avalanche Training & Avalanche Forecasting his profession. Ronan has been one of the NZMSC’s National Avalanche Forecaster, Japan Avalanche Forecaster for the Niseko, Yotei, Yoichi & Shiribetsu region, managed Snow Safety and the Avalanche Program for Mt Hutt NZ, been a member of the NZ Avalanche Education Advisory Committee, trainer of both recreational and professional avalanche courses plus an Avy Search and Rescue Dog handler. For the past 10 years, Ronan has been with Whiteroom becoming our General Manager plus overseeing all guide operations, avalanche assessment, and forecasting. He looks forward to sharing his passion for the Mountains with you and enjoying some good turns together.
PAUL BLACK
WHITEROOM FURANO LEAD GUIDE
After cutting his teeth backcountry skiing multiple seasons in Austria & France, Blackie kept his love of winter going with 26 years Ski Patrolling, 17 as Thredbo Ski Patrol Captain & 18 years skiing in Hokkaido, 14 as a professional Ski Guide. He has been Whiteroom’s Furano Lead Guide since 2018 helping to ensure Whiteroom high standards both on and off snow are maintained, including working closely with the forecasting team. Holds NZMSC Stage 1 Professional & is also a Patrol Trainer/Examiner and professional First Aid trainer. Blackie has a wealth of on snow experience to share with you all.
gareth bevan
WHITEROOM GUIDE
Gareth spends his time between ski patrolling in Thredbo, touring into the Australian backcountry, training Avalanche courses and ski guiding in Japan with Whiteroom. He holds his NAMSG (US mechanised ski guide) cert L2 and L2 Avalanche cert. He has heli-guided in Valdez AK for 4 years for H2o heli guides & has Ski Patrolled at Thredbo for 11 years including being Training Officer for 5 years. Whilst he’s well skied, he can’t beat Japan’s pow and is infectious about everything snow and backcountry safety!