Custom Private Avalanche Courses

Course Agenda

Day 1: (At Yamnuska Office in Canmore or our Lecture Room in Calgary )

9:30 am

• Introductions, goals and objectives, agenda
• Avalanche phenomena, formation and characteristics of avalanches
• Avalanche Terrain Recognition, introduction to the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale
• Changes in the mountain snowpack, snow metamorphism

12:00 pm

• Lunch break

1:00 pm

• Assessing and reducing risk
• Accessing and utilizing the Avalanche Danger Scale and Public Avalanche Bulletins
• Using the Avaluator^TM
• Safe travel and trip planning
• Companion Rescue: A methodical approach
• Logistics for the Field Day

4:30pm

• Class ends

Day 2 at Bow Summit, on Highway 93, 40 km north of Lake Louise or at selected areas of Kananaskis Country or Banff National Park (Calgary courses).

9:00 am

• Meet, issue gear and introduce additional field day instructors
• Weather and avalanche bulletin group discussion
• Field observations (ongoing)
• Transceivers and companion rescue practice
• Managing risk in avalanche terrain (ongoing)
• Route selection, track setting and terrain recognition (ongoing)
• Snow pit and stability tests
• Group rescue exercise

4:30 pm

• Debrief and end of course

NOTE ON RISK: The course takes place in the backcountry in a winter environment.  Conditions can be harsh and you need to be adequately dressed to enhance your comfort and learning.  During the day we will be on the periphery of avalanche terrain however, we do limit our exposure to avalanches so that we can operate in the program area no matter what the avalanche danger is for that given day.  All of our guides/instructors carry first aid kits and emergency communication.  The course is designed to provide a good platform for learning and is not meant to be physically challenging or to put you at risk. Our focus is on instruction so we find appropriate avalanche study areas close to the road to maximize your avalanche education.

NOTE: Agenda may vary with field conditions and group abilities. A short tour of up to two kilometers is integral on the Sunday but if you’re not a skier, snowshoes are adequate. It is important that you be properly equipped for a full day in the backcountry in winter conditions (see gear tab).

Course Agenda

Day 1: (At the Yamnuska Office in Canmore)

8:30 am

• Introductions, goals and objectives, agenda

Review of AST1 program

• Avalanche phenomena, formation and characteristics of avalanches
• Avalanche Terrain Recognition, introduction to the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale
• Changes in mountain snowpack, snow metamorphism
• Accessing and utilizing the Avalanche Danger Scale and Public Avalanche Bulletins
• Using the Avaluator ^TM

12:00 pm – Lunch Break

1:00 pm

• Safe travel and trip planning
• Review of Companion Rescue: A methodical approach
• Avalanche and back country safety gear
• Gear check
•  Transceiver review
• Logisitics for the Field Days

4:30 pm – Class Ends

Days Two, Three and Four

Each morning will start with trip planning, accessing and discussing the Public Avalanche Bulletin and weather updating.  You will be using Yamnuska’s Daily Avalanche Hazard Evaluation© form to assess the conditions and risk for the day.

Program days will be spent in the backcountry on a tour designed for decision making.  You will be in real avalanche terrain appropriate for the conditions, suited to group ability and the Avalanche Danger forecast for that day.  Days are typically six to seven hours in the field.

Subject matter covered:

• Proper back country travel preparation on avalanche terrain
• Use of avalanche ‘danger scale’ and other information gathered by professionals
• Use of the Avalauator 2 ^TM
• Group management and safety in the backcountry
• Avalanche terrain recognition
• Route finding in avalanche terrain
• Decision making in avalanche terrain
• Snow profiles and stability tests such as the Compression Test and Rutsch Block
• Weather, snow pack and avalanche activity observations
• Snow stability analysis
• Companion Rescue and group rescue skills including:  avalanche transceiver use, single burials and multiple burials, shovelling and probing techniques

Note:  Agenda may vary with field conditions and group abilities

NOTE ON RISK: The course takes place in the backcountry in a winter environment. Conditions can be harsh and you need to be adequately dressed to enhance your comfort and learning. During the day we will be travelling through avalanche terrain however, we do limit our exposure to avalanches so that we can operate in the program area no matter what the avalanche danger is for that given day. This can be a physically demanding course. Learning will be greatly enhanced if you are a comfortable rider or skier in all snow conditions. All of our guides/instructors carry first aid kits and emergency communication.

Instructors & Group Size

Yamnuska Avalanche Skills Training instructors are ACMG guides and professional members of the Canadian Avalanche Association.  They are true practitioners with years of experience in the backcountry, practicing what they preach.  Yamnuska has been offering Avalanche Awareness courses since the late 1970’s.  We have been instrumental in the curriculum development of the Avalanche Skills Training courses and are proud of our rich history in training recreationalists in Canada.  We are a proud sponsor of Avalanche Canada.

On the field day there is a maximum of 8 participants per instructor.

Instructors include:

Dave Stark: Director of Operations for Yamnuska, IFMGA Mountain Guide and Professional member of the Canadian Avalanche Association, Avalanche Operations Level 3.  Dave has had more than thirty years of experience guiding and teaching avalanche awareness courses.

Jesse de Montigny: IFMGA Mountain guide and professional member of the CAA, Avalanche Operations Level 2. Jesse is the Assistant Director of Operations at Yamnuska.

James Blench: James is a long term senior guide and past Director of Yamnuska.  He is a CAA examiner on the Level 2 and 3 CAA certification courses and serves as a subject matter expert for the Canadian Avalanche Association.

Steve Blagbrough: IFMGA Mountain guide and senior guide at Yamnuska, Steve is also a professional member of the CAA and Avalanche Operations Level 2. Prior to coming to Canada over ten years ago, Steve was an avalanche forecaster and guide in Scotland.

Grant Meekins: IFMGA Mountain guide and senior guide at Yamnuska, Grant is a certified teacher and professional member of the CAA, Avalanche Operations Level 2.

Alison Cardinal: An Assistant Ski Guide and professional member of the CAA, Avalanche Operations Level 2, Alison is a passionate backcountry skier and teacher.  She is also a representative for Recco avalanche rescue systems.

Program Logistics

Private Program logistics will depend on your group’s requirements and schedule. Please refer to your booking confirmation for specifics.

Equipment & Clothing

First day in the classroom.  This is an indoor session, dress casually and comfortably.  Yamnuska supplies course manual, Companion Rescue Card and Avaluator^TM.   Please bring a pen and notebook if you wish to take notes.  On the field day Yamnuska will supply, upon request, avalanche transceiver with batteries, avalanche probe and avalanche shovel.  We also supply group snow study kits and snow saw.

Equipment List

• Skis / Snowshoes: if on skis, either ‘Alpine Touring’ or Telemark are required. We recommend a short (160 – 185cm) wide ski designed for powder and ski touring.
• Ski poles (even if on snowshoes)
• Climbing skins ‘Stick-on type’ (only required if using skis)
• Ski boots (only required if using skis)
• Daypack (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & equipment, 30 litre minimum recommended)
• Avalanche transceiver (dual or triple antennae, digital type only.  If you do not have a transceiver or have an analogue type, we will loan you a digital transceiver on request)
• Shovel (collapsible avalanche shovel), loaners available on request.
• Avalanche probe, loaners available on request
• Sunglasses and/or ski goggles
• Thermos flask and/or water bottle (1 – 2 Liters)
• Sun screen
• Pocket knife
• Small Blister and Personal 1st-Aid Kit

Yamnuska uses updated and current avalanche equipment on all of our courses.  Avalanche transceivers are Backcountry Access:  Tracker DTS and Tracker 2.  Both types are robust, simple to operate, digital transceivers.  Probes are G3 and shovels are Voile Pro.

Please let us know in advance if you wish Yamnuska to provide you with an avalanche transceiver, probe or shovel for the field day.

Optional Equipment

• Camera
• Compass with clinometer
• Snow thermometer

Yamnuska supplies but feel free to bring anyway:

• Snow saw
• Snow Study Kit

• Clothing

On field days there can be prolonged periods of inactivity in very cold temperatures. Don’t be afraid to bring extra layers as we don’t travel great distances. We suggest bringing light clothing of varying thicknesses that can be ‘layered’ to achieve comfort and versatility. The most important consideration for clothing is the ability to regulate temperature as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest. We discourage cotton clothing as it causes rapid heat loss when wet. Below is our recommended list:

• Synthetic or synthetic/wool blend underwear (top and bottom)
• Warm pants (softshell, insulated, or fleece)
• Warm shirt (not cotton)
• Sweater or fleece jacket
• Insulated jacket or vest
• Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or nylon)
• Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex or nylon)
• Socks (wool outer, synthetic blend liner)
• Wool or fleece hat
• Warm gloves and light glove liner
• Gaiters, only needed if your ski pants are not elasticized at the ankle

Rental Information

Skis, Boots, Boards, Skins & Poles 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)

Please call our office if you have any questions.

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 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.

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 travelers 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.