At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Collect and evaluate weather data;
• Collect and evaluate detailed snowpack data;
• Collect and evaluate avalanche size & activity data;
• Forecast snow stability trends and avalanche hazard levels;
• Evaluate terrain;
• Evaluate current avalanche hazard;
• Travel safely in avalanche terrain;
• Manage personal performance;
• Manage personal wellness;
• Apply effective communication skills;
• Demonstrate effective participation in a team;
• Develop concepts of risk management for the workplace;
• Make appropriate operational decisions to optimize risk in the workplace;
• Model  professionalism;
• Describe the scope of practice for L2 avalanche operations.

Applicants must have:

• CAA Avalanche Operations Level 1 certification or equivalent;*
• CAA Introduction to Weather or equivalent training and experience;*
• CAA Avalanche Search & Rescue Response or equivalent training and experience;*
• Thorough working knowledge of the CAA Observation Guidelines & Recording Standards (OGRS 2007);
• More than100 days of operational field experience in weather, snowpack & avalanche occurrence observations & analysis;
• Advanced backcountry skiing, boarding, or snowmobiling skills and good fitness;
• Participation on at least two operational avalanche rescue scenarios;
• A minimum of two letters of reference from CAA Professional Members. Refer to the Level 2 Reference Form under “Related Links”;
• Completed all of the steps outlined in the Level 2 Application Information located under “Related Links”. 

*Refer to the PLA exemption form under “Related Links”;

Students are required to apply for this program and are accepted based on meeting the outlined prerequisites. Applications may be sent in at any time to the CAA office by email (info@avalanche.ca), or fax 1-866-366-2094. Refer to the Level 2 - Application Information under "Related Links" for further details.

Once accepted, a student will be able to register online. Note that fill payment will be taken at time of registration. Online registration opens in the first weeks of June. The Level 2 schedule, course dates, and locations are posted mid-May on the right of this page. A "Registration Opens" date is listed below each course at the time of schedule posting.
Note: ACMG Guides must participate in Module 2.

• Module 1 - $920
• Module 2 - $745
• Module 3 - $1590

An additional $100 registration fee is applied to International Students.

Module 1, 2, & 3 courses are open to past Level 2 graduates as CPD. Typically 10% of Module 1 students are CPD students, enabling a rich and collaborative learning environment for all involved. Numerous organizations are now sending significant numbers of senior avalanche personnel to participate in these courses annually.

Course Evaluation

Participants’ learning during the Level 2 program will be formally evaluated on the Module 3 course. This formal evaluation is a combination of written tests and exercises, field book observations, practical examinations, field discussions, and A.M. and P.M. Operational Hazard Analysis. Students must pass the following mandatory elements: Data Collection/Record Keeping, Snow Profile, and Terrain/Hazard Analysis with an overall mark of 71% or greater. Students also submit written work in the form of a portfolio towards the end of the course. Retests are allowed in specific situations only.

Informal personalized feedback will be provided throughout the Module 1 and 2 courses. Students will also be asked to keep a written portfolio of their work throughout all three of the course modules which documents their progression of learning. This portfolio is submitted at the end of the course for instructor review.  Detailed evaluation criteria will be provided as part of course materials provided to each student upon registration. A passing grade results in the CAA Avalanche Operations Level 2 certificate of completion being granted to the student.

Upon registration, Module 1 students will be provided with a program package that will include:

• Logistical & venue information;
• Level 2 Student Manual & readings;
• CAA Observation Guidelines and Recording Standards (2007);
• Recommended technical references.

Students are required to bring a laptop computer to the course.

Industry Training Program curriculum is delivered every year in countries such as Japan and New Zealand. If you are interested in finding out more about our international outreach projects, please go to the websites listed below or contact the CAA directly.

• Japan: http://nadare.jp/ (Avalanche Operations Levels 1 & 2)
• New Zealand: http://www.avalanche.ac.nz/ (Avalanche Operations Level 2)