Senior Lecturer Avalanche Safety and Snowsport Instruction Programme, Otago Polytechnic

“Bringing safety education to life.”

Not everyone teaches in the mountains but Peter Bilous often does. As the Programme Manager for the Avalanche Safety and Snowsport Programme at Otago Polytechnic, Peter regularly takes his learners into our stunning alpine environment to enable them to develop the skills needed to work safely in mountain environments.

Peter’s redevelopment of the Diploma in Avalanche Studies has been positively received by stakeholders and learners alike. An industry leader says the programme is seen as “a major driver in lifting standards and creating a positive learning environment industry-wide”. Learners love the fact that their classroom is for the most part on the side of a mountain and when it is not, Peter ensures that photos and video images maintain the learners’ connection with the mountain environment.

Peter views his life and involvement in teaching as a constant work in progress where his commitment to ongoing learning maintains currency in practice. This leading edge practice is then passed on to his learners and, in turn, to all those who are then able to enjoy the mountains safely.