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Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Backcountry Skiing

  • Avalanche
    • Avalanche Skills Training 1 – Canmore/Calgary
    • AST 1 (Classroom Webinar/Rockies Field Day)
    • AST 1 (Classroom Webinar/Rogers Pass Field Day)
    • Avalanche Skills Training 1 for Ice Climbers
    • Companion Rescue Refresher Course
    • Avalanche Skills Training 2 – Canadian Rockies
    • Avalanche Skills Training 2 – Rogers Pass
    • Avalanche Skills Training 2 – Purcell Lodge
  • Mountaineering
    • Beginner Programs
      • Scrambling Skills and Safety
      • Snow and Ice Long Weekend
      • Intro to Mountaineering
      • Women’s Intro to Mountaineering
      • Youth Mountaineering Course
      • Wapta Ice Hike
    • Intermediate and Advanced Programs
      • Yoho Peaks
      • Intro to Alpine Rock in the Bugaboos
      • Intro to Alpine Ice at the Columbia Icefields
      • Lake Louise Classics
      • Rogers Pass Alpinist Camp
      • Fairy Meadows Granite Base Camp
      • Bugaboos Granite
    • Canadian Rockies 11,000ers
      • Mount Temple
      • Mount Willingdon
      • Mount Cline
      • Mt Woolley & Diadem
      • Mount Hector
      • Mount Athabasca
      • Mount Andromeda – Skyladder
      • Mt Joffre Expedition
      • Mount Victoria
      • Mount Forbes (Fly in and Send)
      • Mount Assiniboine
      • Mount Robson
    • Fast and Light Series
      • Castle Mountain
      • Mt Louis Kain Route
      • Bugaboo Spire – North East Ridge
      • Mt Sir Donald – Northwest Ridge
      • Mt Aberdeen
      • Mt Fay – West Ridge
      • Mt Temple – East Ridge
    • One-Day Crevasse Rescue for the Alpinist
    • Navigation 1 (Back to Basics with Map & Compass)
    • Navigation 2 (Digital Trip Planning & Electronic Navigation)
    • One Month Summer Mountaineering Program
    • Private Mountaineering and Guiding
      • Climb Mount Athabasca
      • Bugaboos Climbing Guides
      • Climb Mount Assiniboine
      • Climb Mount Robson
  • Skiing
    • Icefields Parkway Day Touring
    • Rogers Pass & Revelstoke Day Touring
    • Backcountry Skiing and Splitboard Touring Programs
      • Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding
      • Intro to Backcountry Skiing at Purcell Lodge
      • 2-Day Backcountry Freerider Camp
      • Backcountry Belles – Women’s only Free Rider weekend
    • Steep & Deep Programs
      • Lift-Assisted Backcountry Skiing at Lake Louise
      • Rogers Pass Powder Ski Camp
      • Ultimate Steep & Deep Camp
      • Signature Series Splitboarding Steep & Deep Camp
      • Remote Ski Camp – Freshfields
    • Ski Mountaineering & Classic Traverses
      • Intro to Ski Mountaineering
      • Crevasse Rescue for Skiers & Splitboarders
      • The Wapta Traverse
      • Bow to Yoho Advanced Ski Week
      • Yoho Ski Safari
      • Bugaboos to Rogers Pass Ski Traverse
    • 11’000ers Ski Programs
      • Mt Hector
      • The Lyells & Mons Ski Descents
      • Mt Columbia Ski Expedition
    • International Ski Trips
      • Troll Peninsula, Iceland Ski Safari
      • Rishiri Island Skiing in Japan
    • Navigation 1 (Back to Basics with Map & Compass)
    • Navigation 2 (Digital Trip Planning & Electronic Navigation)
    • One Month Backcountry Ski Program
    • Private Ski Guiding & Splitboarding
  • Rock Climbing
    • Rock Climbing Level 1 – Outdoor Rock Intro
    • Rock Climbing Level 2 – Learn to Lead
    • Rock Climbing Level 1 & 2 – Rock Evolution
    • Rock Climbing Level 3 – Multi-Pitch Climbing Course
    • Rock Climbing Level 4 – Trad Rock Leader
    • Rock Climbing Level 5 – Rock Rescue & Advanced Ropework
    • Skaha Rock – 5-day Progression
    • Hot Rock
    • Ghost Rock
    • El Potrero Chico Rock Road Trip
    • Mature Movement 50+ Rock Climbing
    • Beginner Experiential Rock Climbing
    • Multipitch & Instructional Rock Climbing
  • Ice Climbing
    • Ice Climbing Level 1 – Basic Ice
    • Ice Climbing Level 2 – Top Rope Management
    • Ice Climbing Level 1 & 2 – Ice Evolution
    • Ice Climbing Level 3 – Ice Leader
    • Ice Climbing Level 4 – Multi-Pitch Ice Leader
    • Drytooling Intro
    • Rampart Creek Ice Camp
    • Ghost Ice Climbing Camp
    • Hot Ice Climbing
    • Beginner Experiential Ice Climbing
    • Private Multipitch & Instructional Ice Climbing
    • Southern Ontario Ice Climbing
      • Southern Ontario – One-day Ice Evolution
      • Southern Ontario Ice Leader
  • Mountain Semester

Companion Rescue Refresher Course

Companion Rescue is your best chance of survival if you or one of your partners get buried. Time is of the essence and once the clock starts ticking, you want to be sharp and able to respond with a plan of action to be a lifesaver. 

This one-day refresher course is designed for individuals who are looking to brush up and improve their avalanche rescue skills.  Over the course of the day, we will cover the latest techniques for searching, probing and shovelling while putting an emphasis on multiple burials.  We will focus on group rescues and jump into patient care and preparing for a rescue from outside resources.  

  • Itinerary
  • Logistics
  • ☟
  • Gear
  • Booking Info
  • Insurance
  • Gallery

Course Agenda

Day 1:  7:00am (MST) 

  • Welcome, introduction, goals and agenda, waivers 
  • Short classroom session before heading into the field  
  • Review Companion Rescue from AST1  
  • Talk about any changes since your last course 
  • Companion rescue instruction and practice with a magnitude of scenarios 
  • Multiple burials/looking beyond the single burial 
  • How to set yourself up for success when dealing with outside resources for a rescue 

Instructors and Group Size

Yamnuska avalanche instructors are ACMG and IFMGA guides who are professional members of the Canadian Avalanche Association. Our instructors are certified CAA Level 2 Avalanche Operations and several of our guides are CAA Level 3 Avalanche Operations, the highest certification level in the CAA. They are true practitioners with years and in some cases, decades of experience in the backcountry, practicing what they preach.  Yamnuska has been offering Avalanche courses since the late 1970s.  We have been instrumental in the curriculum development of the AST 1 course and are proud of our rich history in training recreationists in Canada.  

Group Size is a minimum of 4 participants with a maximum of 8 per instructor.

Program Logistics

Meeting Time and Place

Meet at the Yamnuska Office (200-50 Lincoln Park, Canmore) at 7:00 am on the day of the program. 

Transportation

Transportation is not included in this program. We will rely on guest’s vehicles to reach the trailhead.  

Canmore is situated 100km (65miles) west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. It is well served by scheduled bus lines both from Calgary (airport and downtown), Banff (20km west) and points further west. Calgary International Airport is well connected to major cities throughout North America and Europe. Vehicle rental is available both in Calgary and in Canmore. The trailhead for this program is a 2.5 – 3-hour drive from Canmore. 

If you are flying from afar for the program, we suggest that you rent a car for your visit. In addition to getting you to the climbing locations, it will allow you to explore our region afterwards. 

Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. 

Accommodation and Meals

These are not included in the course fees. There are lots of options available including campgrounds, hostels, B’n’Bs, motels and hotels. 

Yamnuska guests receive exclusive rates with Clique Hotels & Resorts upon booking an adventure with either Yamnuska Mountain Adventures or Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska.  (Please note that some rates are non-refundable) 

Food is not supplied. Bring plenty to drink and lunch plus energy snacks. 

Equipment and Clothing

On the field day, Yamnuska will supply an avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe and avalanche shovel.  We recommend you bring your own transceiver, shovel and probe if you have it.  It is important to become familiar with the kit that you bring into the backcountry with you and know how to use it. 

Equipment

We recommend you bring: 

  • Skis/splitboard (with alpine touring bindings) 
  • Ski/snowboard boots (compatible with your bindings) 
  • Climbing skins 
  • Poles 
  • Ski Helmet (optional) 
  • Daypack* (30-40 liters) * 
  • Thermos flask and/or water bottle (1-2 liters combined volume) 
  • Sunscreen 
  • Blister kit 
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Camera 
  • Small repair kit for bindings, skis or splitboard (this may include straps, nuts, bolts, small Leatherman) 

Clothing 

When Backcountry skiing, it is important to be able to adjust for the exertion of skiing uphill as well as the cooling-off that occurs while taking breaks. We recommend bringing clothing that can be layered to achieve comfort as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest. Cotton clothing is not appropriate as it causes rapid heat loss when wet. 

We recommend you bring: 

  • Long underwear (top and bottoms, synthetic or wool) 
  • Socks – ski socks (wool or synthetic) 
  • Softshell jacket 
  • Midweight synthetic or down jacket 
  • Waterproof Hardshell jacket 
  • Waterproof Hardshell or softshell pants (make sure the cuff fits over ski boots) 
  • Heavyweight parka (big enough to put over all your other layers) 
  • Waterproof gloves 
  • Warm hat 
  • Face mask

Additional gear info: 

  • Skis/splitboard:  There are two viable backcountry systems, Alpine Touring, and Splitboarding. 
  • Alpine Touring:  Essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift when going uphill and then locks down to become an alpine binding for the downhill. 
  • Splitboard:  Snowboarders sometimes use a splitboard in the backcountry. This system is enjoyable on the descent, but frustrating on the flats. The transitions between uphill and downhill can also be very time-consuming. If using this system, please ensure that you are proficient at switching your bindings. 
  • Boots:  Backcountry boots are different from regular alpine ski boots. In the backcountry, boots need to have an uphill mode that allows a free range of motion in the upper part of the boot. You should not use your regular ski boots for touring and walking uphill. 
  • Climbing skins:  The glue on the base of the skin should be in good condition and the skins need to be properly fitted. Try the skins on your skis/splitboard to make sure they are the right length and width before you arrive. 
  • Ski poles:  Backcountry poles need powder baskets on the tips. 
  • Avalanche beacon:  A three antennae transceiver is required. Yamnuska uses the Backcountry Access Tracker 2 for all our winter programs. 
  • Probe:  A minimum of 240 cm in length. 
  • Shovel:  A metal blade shovel is required. 

Rental Information 

Skis, Boots, Skins & Poles for ski touring can be rented from: 

  • Calgary: Mountain Equipment Co-op. – 830-10 Ave. S.W. Calgary (Tel: 403 269-2420)
  • Canmore: Gear Up – 1302 Bow Valley Trail (403 678-1636)
  • Lake Louise: Wilson Mountain Sports  – (1-866-929-3636)

*Please note that your ‘DIN’ or ‘Release Value’ settings on your ski bindings are critical to your safety while skiing.  Our expectation is that everyone arrives on programs with their ski binding’s release value correctly set. We have noted that some ski rental shops will not set release values on touring bindings. We advise you to rent from a shop that will set release values on your ski touring bindings unless you are proficient and comfortable setting your own DIN/release value. Failure to have Release Values correctly set could result in a serious injury. 

Yamnuska has avalanche beacons, shovels and probes for rent. Rental Gear 

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on booking. As a leading avalanche course provider, our courses do fill quickly.

It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident while here. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is no charge for a rescue so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass which you can obtain on entry to Banff National Park.

Please make yourself familiar with our detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Risk is an inherent part of all mountain activities. We strive to manage and reduce it however, it is impossible to totally eliminate. Learn more about our safety and risk management approach here.  Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.

There are two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.

Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:

It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip.  Obtain extra coverage if necessary.  There is no charge for rescue in the national and provincial parks, however, costs such as air or ground transportation, long-term care and other services are not covered.

Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:

We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries and other unplanned events. For these eventualities, the Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment.

For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group. This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian Travelers. We highly recommend purchasing this insurance. For more information and to purchase a plan, visit the Simpson Group’s website.

Please note that this coverage is for Canadian residents only. For guests who are not from Canada and who are interested in the ‘Visitors to Canada’ insurance package please contact the Simpson Group directly at JSimpson@simpson-group.com and reference your Yamnuska Mountain Adventure’s trip.

Dates:

PRICE:

$150 CDN includes instruction. You will need to bring avalanche safety equipment and adequate clothing and equipment for a backcountry ski tour (or snowshoes). GST is extra.

Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through the Simpson Group.

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Is it for you?

Participants must have previously taken an Avalanche Safety Training 1 course (AST 1). Proof of the previous enrolment will be required.

Minimum Age

The minimum age is 13. We recommend participants 13-15 be accompanied by a parent. Note that transportation is not provided on this course. Participants will need to provide their own transportation or have it provided for them by a parent or friend.

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