Avalanche Safety Training

As the interest in ski mountaineering increases with each winter season the need for avalanche awareness through education is obvious. For those that undertake the responsibility of "self-guided" winter adventures in the mountains, avalanche awareness is crucial. KGMI will be offering all groups the opportunity to attend the Canadian Avalanche Association Recreational Avalanche Course (RAC) during their week at Kokanee Glacier.

Kokanee Glacier is an ideal venue for these courses because of the abundance and variety of terrain. In avalanche courses, field sessions are essential learning experiences. The more "hands on" time students have in the field the better they will be able to use new skills when they leave the course. This is especially true on recreational courses where the primary skills being stressed are recognition and avoidance of avalanche hazards, survival and rescue. These skills are more practical than theoretical and the best way to learn them is through observing skilled practitioners, getting hands-on experience and application in real (or realistic) situations. Students who have seen and used skills in the field will subsequently learn theoretical principles faster and incorporate them better into their decision-making process.

High quality field sessions are possible if objectives are set, resources are assessed, planning is carried out and the instructor and group are well prepared.

The Canadian Avalanche Association is recognized as a leader in developing and delivering high quality avalanche education. The CAA courses are oversubscribed every winter with participants from throughout North America and the world. The goal of KGMI is to deliver avalanche courses to the same high standards that the CAA has established.

 

Objective

• For the instructors to provide an enjoyable, fun environment to share their knowledge of avalanche awareness
  
• For the instructor to accompany the participants each day of the course and provide comprehensive avalanche safety skills according to the RAC manual. There are several evening theory sessions involving instruction, class participation, slide presentations and videos.
  
• A portion of each day (introductory course 12 hrs. field, 4 hrs. class; advanced course 22 hrs. field, 8 hrs. class) will be devoted to the avalanche course while there will also be ample opportunity to ski in a safe manner and practice the skills learned in the course.
  
• Participants will learn safe ski touring skills providing a foundation they can build on, they will know how to test for snow stability for each new aspect they ski, how to make route selections wisely and be proficient at self rescue.
• Many participants in similar courses find cabin based logistics simpler, since all students are staying together, little travel other than daily tours are necessary and meals are made at the cabin
  
• Participants will attain a higher degree of understanding because no time is lost between classroom and field trips and because of the interesting and varied terrain around the Slocan Chief Cabin.
  
• Participants will go away with the knowledge to safely travel in the mountains in winter, a RAC manual, and a certificate. They will be encouraged to further their education and knowledge through more advanced courses combined with practical experience
  
• The cost for these courses will be about 1/2 of the same courses available elsewhere, this is to encourage participation. The cost is in addition to the usual hut fee (other backcountry cabins offering courses charge full cost). The objective is to raise the level of awareness to enhance the safety of ski mountaineering while reducing accidents.

The Recreational Avalanche Course program offers two levels of training, introductory and advanced. The course outlines have been developed to meet the needs of the recreational user and provide a framework for course providers ensuring that essential fundamentals are taught.

The primary goals of the Recreational Avalanche Course program and associated materials are to:

• Improve recreational avalanche safety in Canada
  
• Provide a nationally recognized recreational avalanche course standard
  
• Ensure students receive a high quality course that is compatible with course and training from other providers using the program

Introductory RAC training is an essential starting point for all future winter recreational activities carried out in the mountains and backcountry terrain. It is designed for delivery in a 16 hour format, including a minimum of 4 hrs. in class utilizing slides, overhead and video. Advanced (ARAC) training offers comprehensive advanced skills, a similar curriculum to the CAA Technical School Level I course.

Classroom sessions

• introduction
• formation and nature of avalanches
• avalanche terrain
• factors affecting snow stability
• mountain snowpack
• winter backcountry travel
• assessing avalanche danger
• safety measures and self rescue
• transceivers

Field sessions

• terrain recognition
• route finding
• safe travel
• group management
• stability evaluation
• hazard recognition
• small party self rescue

Course Providers

Kevin Giles and Dave Heagy have worked in Kokanee Glacier Park for over a decade, which includes six months each winter. Both are certified with the CAA at Level II and are professional members of the CAA. Kevin has also completed the CAA Training Schools Instructor Techniques and Avalanche Hazard Mapping Courses.

Introductory Course (minimum 16 hours)

$75.00 / person (minimum of 3, maximum of 8; if interest is sufficient we will extend the length of the course or divide the group to ensure everyone has adequate personal instruction)

Advanced Course (minimum 32 hours)

$125.00/ person (minimum of 3)

For further information contact Kevin at Kokanee Glacier Mountaineering, R.R.# 1, Site 3, Comp. 32, Nelson, BC, V1L 5P4, Phone: (250)354-4092 or kevin@kokanee-glacier.com (email preferred).

This page was last updated: 08/09/01 by KTG.