Activity Snapshot
Activity description
Receive your Avalanche Canada diploma following 2 days of avalanche safety training in Banff, near Calgary!
Introductory avalanche safety training, the CSA 1 consists of 2 days of theoretical and practical courses to introduce you to avalanche safety and rescue. The first day will focus mainly on learning the theory in online courses, while the second day will give you the chance to put into practice what you have learned the day before: you will go out into the field for your avalanche safety training in Banff National Park, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies!
Led by ACMG/IFMGA (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) certified ski and mountain guides and CAA (Canadian Avalanche Association) certified instructors, this 2-day course will teach you the basics of avalanche safety in Banff: understanding basic weather concepts and models contributing to avalanche risk, the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES), snow crystal growth and metamorphism (snow science), companion rescue and avalanche equipment that will be covered during the day in the field, etc. The aim will be to enable you to prepare your next autonomous excursion in the snowy backcountry so that it happens in complete safety!
If you love venturing into the snowy mountains but don't know what to do in the event of an avalanche risk, the Introduction to Avalanche Safety course in Banff is just what you need!
To enable you to travel in the backcountry safely, understand where to obtain current information and understand the onsite snowpack dynamics and terrain use
Course of events
Day 1
A day of online theory lessons on ZOOM (a detailed course package will be emailed 3 days prior to course commencement) with the following topics for discussion: the root causes of avalanches, understanding basic weather concepts and patterns contributing to avalanche hazards, first hand experiences from the instructors used for case studies, Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES), snow crystal growth and metamorphism (snow science), quick intro to companion rescue and avalanche gear which will be covered during the field day, etc.
Day 2
A day of practical training in the field, during which you will see: Companion Rescue, snowpack analysis and weak layer recognition, group dynamics and management, risk tolerance and mountain intuition, terrain use and avoidance, etc.
Activity requirements
Please read and review this waiver of liability prior to booking.
Minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Special terms
If you wish, you can spend the first day of training on ZOOM several days/weeks before the second day of training in the field: please contact the guide once your booking has been confirmed to organise your dates.
If needed, there may be the opportunity to carpool with the guide for a base fee of $75.00 round trip: please contact the guide directly for details.
For transportation needs from Calgary to Banff, visit Mountain Park Transportation website.
- Certified instructors
- Avalanche Canada Curriculum
- The 'Avaluator' decision making tool
- Avalanche transceiver
- Shovel
- Probe
- AvCan Certificate of completion
- Taxes
- Lunch
- Transfer
- Snowshoes
- Ski touring or splitboard equipment
- Warm and sturdy ski/snowshoe/snowboard boots
- Warm layers of clothes
- Warm and waterproof jacket and pants
- Hat
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Backpack
- Bottle of water/Thermos
- Picnic lunch
- Snacks
