Avalanche Operations Level 2 goals and objectives are displayed in the course DACUM .

Students must apply to enter the Level 2 program. Those considering applying should refer to Career Development Guidelines for Level 1 Graduates for information on professional development and the minimum requirements for applying.

 

To view the prerequisites, application, and registration information, please visit the Level 2 Application webpage .

 

For information on potential funding available for CAA students, please consult the ITP Scholarships & Grants webpage.

 

Level 2 COURSEs:

A) Town-Based (Golden, BC & Whistler, BC)

For town-based Level 2 Courses, the course fees paid by students does NOT include food, transportation, or accommodation. The CAA strongly recommends booking accommodation as close to the classroom location as possible.

Course Type	Ski/Splitboard	Snowmobile (Tentative)
Registration Fee	$ 275.00	$ 275.00	Non-refundable
Course Materials	$ 135.00	$ 135.00	Non-refundable
Tuition	$ 1,946.00	$ 2,040	Subject to Refund and Cancellation Policy
Location fee	$ 475.00	N/A	Subject to Refund and Cancellation Policy
Sled Fee	N/A	$ 340.00
Sled Fee GST	N/A	$ 17.00
Total	$ 2,831.00	$ 2,807.00

B) Lodge-Based

Lodge-based Level 2 Courses are run out of a remote backcountry operation. Additional fees are charged for these courses to include all meals, lodging, and transportation from the staging area to the lodge. Lodge-based courses are an incredible value and provide an enhanced learning environment. Course participants will have use of the operation's terrain and facilities for the duration of their course. Close proximity to field study locations increases the amount of time students spend studying snowpack and avalanche terrain. In each operation, students will be expected to participate in daily lodge duties as specified by facility operators and course instructors.

Note: we cannot offer refunds on lodge fees and recommend students consider purchasing Hut Trip Cancellation Insurance.

	Monashee Powder Snowcats Coldstream, BC	The Callaghan's Journeyman Lodge Whistler, BC	Purcell Mountain Lodge Golden, BC
Registration Fee	$ 275.00	$ 275.00	$ 275.00	Non-refundable
Course Materials	$ 135.00	$ 135.00	$ 135.00	Non-refundable
Tuition	$ 1,925.84	$ 1,925.84	$ 1,925.84	Subject to Refund and Cancellation Policy
Hut Fee	$ 1,427.40	$ 1,887.70	$ 1,713.33	Non-refundable
Hut Fee Tax	$ 73.66	$ 82.59	$ 113.94	Non-refundable
Total	$ 3,836.90	$ 4,306.13	$ 4,163.11

 

 

LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENTS

Town-based Level 2 Assessments take place at either Golden, BC, or Whistler, BC. For these courses, the course fees paid by students does NOT include food, transportation, or accommodation. The CAA strongly recommends booking accommodation as close to the classroom location as possible.

 

For Level 2 Assessments at a backcountry lodge, the same guidelines as lodge-based Level 2 Courses apply. Please see the section above for more information.

 

	Golden, BC OR Whistler, BC	Snowmobile-Only Golden, BC (Tentative)
Registration Fee	$ 275.00	$ 275.00	Non-refundable
Tuition	$ 2,035.25	$ 1,925.00	Subject to Refund and Cancellation Policy
Additional Fees	$ 375.00 (Helicopter Fee)	$ 480.00 (Sled Fee)	Non-refundable
GST on Additional Fee	$ 18.75	$ 24.00	Non-refundable
Total	$ 2,704.00	$ 2,704.00

Information on potential funding for CAA students can be found on the Scholarships & Grants webpage.

In addition to paying the course fees, students are required to read and agree to the CAA Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement as a condition of participating in any course. Refer to the "Release of Liability and Waiver" section of this website for details and to review the Release of Liability and Waiver.

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

View a sample schedule of the Level 2 Course.
View a sample schedule of the Level 2 Assessment.

 

Please note:  There is a lot of material to cover during the course and you may be assigned work to complete after hours. It is recommended to keep your evenings free during the course.

 

Town-based Courses only: There will be no free time during the course, it important to prepare adequate food and drink in advance.

 

Upon registration, students will receive a confirmation email that contains a link to their course-specific Box drive. Students may find all the necessary course logistics, pre-course prep work, and program information inside this Box drive.

 

There is an online pre-course component that takes approximately 20 hours and must be complete prior to arrival on the course. 

 

The student equipment list provides a reference for equipment requirements.

 

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the course and field locations. 

 

Carpooling is recommended: 4 weeks prior to the course a class list will be sent including student email addresses. 

If your course requires lift access, tickets are provided by your instructors. If you have a season pass for the area, please bring this with you.

Participants will be formally evaluated during the Level 2 Assessment with a combination of written tests and exercises, field book observations, practical field examinations, field discussions, and AM and PM operational hazard analysis. Here is a description of the  evaluation criteria including the marking rubrics that are used for the assessment.

 

Passing requirement

• Must obtain a minimum average of 70% on all assessment categories.
• Failure in two or more assessment categories results in failure of the entire course.

Re-test criteria

• If a student has an overall mark of 70% but has failed one of the assessment categories, they are eligible to re-test the failed category.
• The field risk management category cannot be re-tested. Field-based terrain selection and group management is dependent on team hazard analysis and contributions to decisions, consensus decisions, and an evaluation of hazard trends over several days prior to a final evaluation. This cannot be replicated in a re-test environment and therefore cannot be re-tested.

Refer to the student resources webpage for a complete list of student policies and review the CAA Release of Liability and Waiver page. 

Industry Training Program curriculum is delivered every year in countries around the world. If you are interested in finding out more about our international outreach projects, please contact the CAA directly.