This course was developed in response to numerous requests from volunteer and professional SAR organizations to combine the CAA's industry standard Level 1 program with current best practices in organized avalanche search and rescue. Participants must be physically fit and be able to travel in deep snow conditions in the backcountry via snowshoe or skis. Snowmobiles and snowcats are used on the courses, as they would be in an avalanche search a rescue mission, but have a limited use on an actual avalanche scene, therefore all participants are required to be competent backcountry skiers or mobile and functional on snowshoes.
This intensive 9 day training course is comprised of approximately 40% theory & classroom and 60% practical application & field work. See Sample Course Schedule under "Related Links".
Please note: An additional day has been added to the Chatter Creek course in order to spend more time on terrain travel and analysis. Also, students are also responsible for their own transportation on town based courses..
If you have met the prerequisites listed below AND are a SAR volunteer or professional (RCMP, DND SAR Techs, PEP, etc) then you may register on-line for the course of your choice (if available). Note that on-line registration opens September 3, 2012 and requires full payment at time of registration (including applicable hut fees). To register, click on the “Register now!” button in the right sidebar.
NEW: You will be required to upload scans of the following documents during your registration process. Without them, you will be unable to complete your registration. A scan can be a legible digital photo of the required document. Scans are needed of:
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
*Participation on an AST 1 course before your Operations Level 1 is acceptable for those that don't have AST 1 at time of registration. For those with training and experience similar to the AST program (e.g. from another country), you can apply for exemption using one of our Prior Learning Assessment Review (PLA) form, available for download in the right hand column of this page.
$1795 (plus applicable hut fees**)
An additional $100 registration fee is applied to international students.
**Please note that hut fees are in effect for the programs taking place at Monashee Powder Snowcats, Kokanee Glacier, Burnie Glacier, Valkyr, Ptarmigan, Chatter Creek and Kootenay Pass. All hut fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.
Course evaluation is a combination of written tests & exercises, field book observations, practical examinations and field discussions. There are three mandatory elements that a students must pass (Professional Rescue Exam, Weather Observations, Snow Profile Exam) in addition to receiving an overall mark of 71% or greater. Retests are allowed in specific situations only. A passing grade results in the CAA Avalanche Operations Level 1 certificate of completion being granted to the student.
For town based courses, the CAA strongly recommends accommodation for students as close to the classroom location as possible. Mornings typically start around 6:30 a.m. with manual weather observations and lectures starting around 8:00 a.m., sometimes earlier to allow longer field days. Evening sessions are held occasionally throughout the week – expect most days to go to 8:00 p.m.
Hut based courses are run out of a remote backcountry operation. Additional fees are charged for these courses and include all meals, lodging, and transportation from trail head to operation. Hut based courses are an incredible value when compared to similar costs at other locations. These courses not only provide exceptional value but also an enhanced learning environment. Course participants will have exclusive use of the operations terrain and facilities for the duration of their course. Close proximity to field study locations increase the amount of time students spend studying snowpack and avalanche terrain. In each operation, students will be expected to participate in daily hut duties as specified by facility operators and course instructors.
Please refer to the Sample Student Equipment List under "Related Links". A final equipment list will be sent to you with your student manual which will be sent to your mailing address no later than a month prior to course start. If you have concerns, please contact our office.
AST Prior Learning Assessment for Exemption Use this form in order to receive exemption from the AST prerequisite for the Avalanche Operations Level 1
AST Prior Learning Assessment for ExemptionLevel 1 Prior Learning Assessment for Equivalency Use this form when applying for equivalency to the Avalanche Operations Level 1 course
Level 1 Prior Learning Assessment for EquivalencyIf ALL course dates for a course are full, the CAA will take applicants to be put on a waiting list. A general e-mail will be sent out to the waiting list if a spot becomes open for one of the course dates.
