Important Avalanche sites
Parks Canada Backcountry Avalanche Information
Canadian Avalanche Association for bulletins, courses, Weather and more.
Weather sites
Environment Canada Weather
Canadian Avalanche Centre Weather Images and Datalogger info
Comprehensive links to weather, avi, road conditions and forecasts from Skiing Golden.
Kick Arse WEBCAMS all over Western Canada to help you track storms.
Main Avalanche Courses offered in Western Canada
British Columbia:
For full listings of courses offered in British Columbia goto the Mountain Equipment Co-op site.
Vancouver - Courses on Avalanche Skills for Skiers/Boarders by Canada West Mountain School starting Nov 13th.
"Our Avalanche Skills Training (AST*) courses for skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and snowmobilers have been offered since 1982."
Vancouver - Back-Country First Aid for professionals by Wilderness Alert on starting Dec 6-10.
"Back-Country First Aid Products and Training Designed by Professionals, for Professionals."
Whistler - Courses from Whistler Alpine Guides starting weekly from Nov 28th.
Garibaldi & Blackcomb Provincial Park - Lots of Avalanche Skills Training courses by Coast Mountain Guides. First AST course starting Nov 23rd.
"Our goal with this course is to help you recognize winter hazards and understand the basics of evaluating snow stability."
Vancouver Island - Avalanche Skills Training by Island Alpine Guides. Courses starting Dec 6-7.
"Island Alpine guides offers AST 1 & 2 courses regularly scheduled through the winter on Vancouver Island for the Island Ski Tourer. Our courses cover the AST curriculum set out by the Canadian Avalanche Center and are taught by fully qualified ACMG guides."
Rossland - Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Level 1 or 2 course developed by the Canadian Avalanche Centre through Big Red Cat Skiing. Courses start Dec 12th.
"Opportunity to learn about (or brush up on) safe backcountry travel techniques, route finding, slope assessment and companion rescue."
Nelson - Canadian Avalanche Association Level Avalanche Safety Training Level 2 on Jan 20th.
Nelson - Avalanche Skills Training by Peak Freaks starting Dec 20th.
"Each course consists videos, slides, lectures and interactive discussion and full days of hands-on field training with state-of-the-art avalanche rescue equipment."
Nelson - Backcountry AST, Performance and Custom courses by Deep Lines starting Dec 26.
"With a combined focus on safe travel techniques and quality descents this full day course is designed to cover the fundamentals of touring and help develop competence in the backcountry."
Rogers Pass - Avalanche courses held by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures starting Jan 26.
"This program is designed for serious back country skiers and boarders looking to expand their avalanche safety knowledge."
Golden - Avalanche Skills Training through Kicking Horse Resort starting Dec 20th.
"This course covers avalanche terrain recognition and avoidance, companion rescue, and how to use the Avaluator..."
Alberta:
For full listings of courses offered in Alberta goto the Mountain Equipment Co-op site.
Canmore - Advanced weather skills course offered by Canadian Avalanche Association on Nov 17th.
"Develop a strong understanding of how weather influences snow and avalanche conditions."
Calgary - Avalanche courses by the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre starting Nov 22.
"This course follows the Canadian Avalanche Centre's 'Avalanche Skills Training' curriculum."
Canmore - Avalanche courses in French! Run by "El Gato Mountain Adventures" (camirefelix@yahoo.ca) starting Dec 13.
Calgary and Canmore - Avalanche courses by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures starting Nov 22.
"This program is designed for serious back country skiers and boarders looking to expand their avalanche safety knowledge."
Jasper - Avalanche courses run by ACMG ski guide Matt Reynolds (mattracy@shaw.ca) starting Nov 28.
"Matt will instruct you on the necessary skills for avalanche safety in the backcountry."
Avalanche Events
Avalanche Awareness Days 2009 - presented by Canadian Pacific
11th Annual Avalanche Awareness evening! Backcountry and out-of-bound skiers, boarders and climbers -- Avalanche Awareness Night will connect you with the resources you need to play safe. The evening includes presentations by snow safety experts, films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival, door prizes and a trade show featuring the latest tools and techniques for avalanche safety.
Show at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, from Jan 9-11, 2009
Show at Max Bell Auditorium, The Banff Centre, Banff AB - Sunday, January 11th, 7:30pm, Free!
If you are involved in promoting avalanche safety throughout this fall and winter please post blogs and information below. Thank you.
