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Advancing avalanche risk management through professional excellence.

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Who we are

The Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) is the national professional organization for Canada’s avalanche industry. We advance avalanche risk management through professional training, membership standards, industry information exchange, and continuing professional development. Our members protect people, infrastructure, transportation corridors, and communities through the delivery of trusted avalanche risk management programs, fostering professionalism and excellence across the industry.

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Training Programs

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  • Avalanche Operations Level 1
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Governance & Protecting the Public

Our members are avalanche professionals working across transportation, recreation, public safety, resource industries, research, and education. Together, they help protect people, infrastructure, and communities through informed avalanche risk management. By fostering professional excellence and supporting a connected, highly skilled membership, the CAA strengthens public confidence in avalanche risk management  programs and services across Canada. 

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News & Updates

  • Featured

    CAA Scholarship Recipients

    Learn more about our scholarships and past recipients on our CAA Scholarship…

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  • October 27, 2026

    Honorary Member: Bob Sayer

    Fostering Participation, Connection, and Shared Responsibility By Alex Cooper and Nora Hughes BOB SAYER WAS MADE AN HONORARY MEMBER of the CAA in acknowledgement of his enduring commitment to the…

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  • October 19, 2026

    Kootenay Snow and Avalanche Workshop

    October 24, Whitewater Mountain Resort, Nelson, BC. Join the Kootenay Snow & Avalanche Workshop in Nelson on October 24, bringing avalanche workers together for a day of learning, connection, and…

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The avalanche journal
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Find articles from past issues of The Avalanche Journal, and news from the Canadian avalanche industry and beyond.

  • Honorary Member: Bob Sayer

    August 26, 2026

    Fostering Participation, Connection, and Shared Responsibility By Alex Cooper and Nora Hughes…

    READ MORE

  • Gallery: Scenes from ISSW Whistler 2026

    October 8, 2026

    By Alex Cooper, Managing Editor, The Avalanche Journal The 2026 International Snow…

    READ MORE

  • Interview: Pascal Haegeli Reflects on His Career in Canada

    August 31, 2026

    By Alex Cooper An edited version of this interview was published in…

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Industry Standard for
an Extraordinary Industry

The CAA’s Industry Information Exchange (InfoEx®) is a daily exchange of technical snow, weather, avalanche, and terrain information between subscribers.

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CAA membership can support your avalanche career b CAA membership can support your avalanche career beyond the Industry Training Program by defining your scope of practice and connecting you to the broader industry as a practicing member.

If you’ve recently completed an Avalanche Operations Level 1 or 2 course, watch the corresponding video to find the membership option that's best for you.

Becoming a CAA member requires specialized knowledge, technical training, and real-world operational experience in managing avalanche risks. It demonstrates your commitment to best practices and high professional standards. By joining the CAA, you earn a credential that demonstrates your ability to mitigate avalanche risk, improve safety and showcases you as a trusted professional in the field.

Visit the link in our bio or the membership page on our website to find videos on applying for membership after completing an ITP course.
This fall, students in our Introduction to Weather This fall, students in our Introduction to Weather and Advanced Weather courses built foundational knowledge and advanced analytical skills, exploring how meteorological conditions influence snowpack stability and trends and applying forecast information to mountain environments. 

Thank you to our students and instructors for dedicating classroom time to advancing your professional practice. 

If you are interested in taking Introduction to Weather, we'll offer one more in-person course November 14-15 in Golden, BC, and an online session in the spring. Register today through our training calendar.

Weather course classroom photos taken by ITP instructor Matt MacDonald. Other photos contributed by students and instructors from various ITP courses.
The CAA is pleased to recognize Alexandre Grandmai The CAA is pleased to recognize Alexandre Grandmaison as the recipient of the 2026 Austin Powder Blasting Scholarship.

Alexandre’s career in the avalanche industry grew from a passion for snowmobiling and snowboarding into a commitment to avalanche safety and professional development.

Since 2022, he has worked as a Snowmobile Guide with Toby Creek Adventures @tobycreekadv  in Panorama, BC, where he guides guests through mountain terrain while contributing to daily avalanche observations and operations.

Alexandre is a CMBGA Level 2 Snowmobile Guide and holds CAA Avalanche Operations Level 1 and AvSAR Level 2 certifications. This spring, he was accepted into the CAA Avalanche Operations Level 2 program, marking another step forward in his professional development. 

The Austin Powder (@austinpowder1833) Blasting Scholarship will cover the course fees for Alexandre to attend the CAA Avalanche Control Blasting course in 2026, supporting his continued development in avalanche operations.

The CAA gratefully acknowledges Austin Powder for supporting the education and professional development of avalanche practitioners through this scholarship.

Congratulations, Alexandre!
As we look ahead to another winter season, now is As we look ahead to another winter season, now is a good time to review your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and make a plan for the year ahead.

CPD helps CAA members maintain and build the knowledge, skills, qualifications and professional competence needed to work safely and effectively in the avalanche industry. It supports continued learning throughout your career and helps ensure our profession maintains a high standard of practice.

What counts toward CPD? There are seven categories:

• Professional practice
• Formal/certified learning activities
• Formal/structured learning
• Informal/self-directed learning
• Participation and mentorship
• Presentations
• Contributions to knowledge

Check the CAA’s CPD guidelines to understand the requirements for your membership category.

Before the busy season, take some time to:

✔️ Update your CPD Activity Recording Form and check your progress toward your requirements.

✔️ Plan ahead. Are you on track to meet the requirements across the categories available to your membership level?

✔️ Consider whether you may need to apply for a CPD leave or relief option due to parental leave, injury or illness, or a career recess. If you anticipate difficulty meeting your requirements, review the relevant policy and contact Membership Services early.

✔️ Gather your evidence from last winter while it’s still easy to find. Save certificates, attendance records, employer sign-offs, presentations, and other supporting documentation, as applicable. Keep your records clear, detailed and organized. We have a template for employer sign-offs for mentorship, professional practice and structured learning on our website

Make CPD part of your preseason planning. Tracking activities and collecting evidence as you go makes it easier to monitor your progress and demonstrate compliance when needed. Visit the CAA website to review the guidelines, see this fall's CPD opportunities, access the Activity Recording Form, and find information on CPD requirements and leave options.

🔗 https://avalancheassociation.ca/membership/continuing-professional-development/
CAA CPD Update: Understanding the Latest Changes CAA CPD Update: Understanding the Latest Changes

The CAA Board of Directors approved updates to the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) policy earlier this summer. Join us for an informational session to learn what’s changed, how the updates affect your membership requirements, and how to plan and record your CPD.

CAA Professional Practices Specialist Brendan Martland will walk members through the updated policy, share best practices for tracking CPD activities, and answer questions during a dedicated Q&A.

Session details:
Online Session
October 21, 2026
6–7 PM PDT

Brendan joined the CAA staff in 2025. He brings experience as a mountain safety specialist, consultant and guide, with a background in ski patrol, avalanche forecasting, ACMG ski guiding and CAA ITP instruction.

Register for the session and join us on October 21. Visit the CAA website to learn more about the updated CPD policy and access the registration details on the CPD Opportunities page.
Mental health is part of professional health. Work Mental health is part of professional health. Working in the mountains can be rewarding, demanding, and at times, difficult. Creating space to talk about mental well-being, recognize when support is needed, and look out for one another is an important part of a healthy and resilient professional community.

The CAA is committed to supporting the psychological health and safety of our employees, members, instructors, and students and to building a professional culture where mental health is a priority, not an afterthought.

The CAA website brings together resources developed specifically for the professional mountain community, including valuable programs and organizations such as:

• Mountain Professional CISM @mountain_cism — critical incident stress management
• Mountain Muskox @mountainmuskox — trauma and loss support
• Responder Alliance @responseralliance — resilience training

As well as video and podcast resources and additional external mental health and wellness resources. We encourage everyone to explore these resources.

Disclaimer: Our webpage does not provide medical advice. The resources listed are offered for informational purposes only.
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