Instructing in Avalanche Terrain—Basic is a three-day in-person course for those seeking to teach introductory recreational avalanche education courses such as the Avalanche Canada Training program's AST 1 and CRS courses. Visit our course calendar  for up-to-date course dates, locations, and registration. Do you have a scheduling conflict or workplace request? Please fill out our Specialized ITP Course Interest Form to help ITP Staff gauge students' course scheduling needs.

This series of courses is aimed at providing instructional skills and risk management for instructing in avalanche terrain. Successful completion of these courses, and acceptance as a member of the CAA, are the first steps in becoming an Avalanche Safety Training instructor (Avalanche Canada). 

Students are required to read and agree to the CAA Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement (the "Release of Liability and Waiver") as a condition of participating in any ITP course. This is a legal agreement whereby you give up the right to sue or claim compensation following an accident. Students should review the Release of Liability and Waiver section of the website, and read the Release of Liability and Waiver carefully before registering for a course.

 

*The CAA is not a guiding organization and the Industry Training Program (ITP) courses are not guiding courses. In Canada, please refer to the Canadian Ski Guide Association, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, and Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association for courses that lead to recreational guiding in avalanche-prone settings.

What To Expect

Click here to review the IAT-B course outline.

Instructing in Avalanche Terrain—Basic is a field-based course that provides participants with the risk management skills to deliver introductory recreational avalanche courses in simple terrain. Key outcomes include compliance with the Guidelines for Instruction in Avalanche Terrain (GIAT), terrain identification and group management.


This course serves as a progression from previously acquired competencies attained through the completion of CAA courses such as Avalanche Operations Level 1, Introduction to Professionalism, and Instructing in Avalanche Terrain—Foundations. The primary emphasis lies in honing risk management strategies.


This course is not designed to assess your ability to deliver avalanche safety curriculum to students. Instead, it focuses on preparing you to work with students in avalanche terrain using up-to-date, industry-standard risk management techniques and strategies, following the policies outlined in the Guidelines for Instruction in Avalanche Terrain (GIAT). The emphasis is on safely managing groups, modelling risk management best practices, and making sound, real-time safety decisions in the field — in support of delivering avalanche safety curriculum to students.


Successful completion of this course assessment is a mandatory step in the qualification process for delivering Avalanche Skills Training (AST) courses for those using the course-based stream for applying for Advanced Basic Educator Membership. In addition to passing this assessment, a candidate must also:

• Meet Avalanche Canada’s instructor or course leader qualification requirements for AST delivery
• Obtain Basic Educator Membership with the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA)
• Maintain annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits as required by the CAA

For further information regarding membership categories, eligibility criteria, CPD obligations, and AST delivery requirements, please refer to the Membership section of the CAA website and Avalanche Canada’s AST Instructor Requirements on their website.


This course takes place over three days and will require pre-course work that will consist of foundational concepts, readings, and preparations to instruct modules of the Avalanche Canada Training program. Completing the pre-course work will ensure you have a solid foundation and can dive deeper into advanced topics during the in-person sessions. To optimize the learning experience, you will be assigned end-of-day prep work, which will involve preparing for the following day's trip plan.

• Course days are long. They can begin at 6:30 a.m. and can go until 5:30 p.m., with evening assignments. We recommend students avoid scheduling any outside activities during the course. Refer to the sample schedule tab for details.
• Field trips take place in inclement weather so students must be equipped to operate in all weather conditions (for example, -28 C, strong winds, and/or heavy snowfall or rain).
• There are no scheduled meal or snack breaks, so students must be prepared to eat and drink on the go. Many students save time by pre-planning and preparing their meals beforehand.
• Students must be advanced backcountry travelers, able to safely travel in a variety of snow and terrain on skis, snowboard, or snowmobile. See descriptions below.
• Students must be competent at selecting safe travel routes and making quality decisions in Simple terrain.

Description of what constitutes an advanced backcountry traveler on skis or splitboard:

• As a skier or splitboarder, you should be proficient with the use of touring bindings, skins, and skis or splitboard. You should be at an advanced level of skiing or snowboarding at a resort, and able to manage flat sections and traverses.
• You should be able to tour uphill 600 m in elevation.
• You should be capable of riding in a variety of snow conditions, including deep snow, breakable crust, and wind slab.
• You should be able to ride in treed and undulating/variable terrain up to approximately 35 degrees.
• You should be able to ride safely and efficiently in backcountry terrain carrying a backpack with food, rescue equipment, and winter clothing. Safely = not falling often. Efficiently = in a timely manner that does not hold up a group.

Description of what constitutes an advanced backcountry traveler on a snowmobile:

• As a rider, you should be at an advanced level of riding in untracked snow and able to manage climbing, side-hilling, and descending. You should be capable of riding in a variety of snow conditions, including deep snow, breakable crust, and wind slab
• You should be able to ride in treed and undulating/variable terrain up to approximately 30 degrees.
• You should be able to ride safely and efficiently in backcountry terrain carrying a backpack. Safely = maintaining the chosen line. Efficiently = not getting stuck and holding up the group.

IAT-B course certificates have a two year expiry date for the purpose of CAA Membership applications, please refer to the Basic Avalanche Educator application page for more details.

Program Goals

Instructing in Avalanche Terrain—Basic goals and objectives are displayed in the course DACUM.

 

Prerequisites

The following are required of ALL applicants at the time of registration:

• Avalanche Operations Level 1 and all associated prerequisites.

• Advanced backcountry skiing, splitboarding, or snowmobiling skills; and good fitness, as described in the 'What to expect' tab. If students do not meet the criteria, they will be required to leave the course.

• Be 19 or older for courses in British Columbia, OR 18 or older for courses in Alberta and Quebec

• It is strongly recommended that applicants have observed an AST course prior to taking Instructing in Avalanche Terrain - Basic.

Applicants must present these certificates on the first day of Instructing in Avalanche Terrain—Basic: 

• Instructing in Avalanche Terrain—Foundations 

Registration Process

Visit the course calendar for course dates, locations, location-specific logistics, and registration information.




You will be required to upload scans or JPEGs of the following documents during registration:

• Avalanche Operations Level 1 certificate OR an approved  Prior Learning Assessment .

Failure to provide proof of all prerequisites will result in cancellation of your registration and removal from the course. Upon registration, payment can be made in full or partially (50%); please ensure you have a payment method with an adequate credit limit to pay for your registration. 


2025-26 Course Fees

The course fees paid by students do NOT include food, transportation, or accommodation. The CAA strongly recommends booking accommodation as close to the classroom location as possible.


Registration Fees	$ 275.00	Non-refundable
Course Materials	$ 75.00	Non-refundable
Tuition	$ 1,060.00	Subject to Refund and Cancellation Policy
Total	$ 1,410.00

 

Students are expected to register and pay for all prerequisites separately. This includes Instructing in Avalanche Terrain Foundations.

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 on the Student Resources Page for details and to review the Release of Liability and Waiver.

Sample Schedule

View a sample schedule for “Instructing in Avalanche Terrain—Basic” here. Days on the course are long and it is the student's responsibility to take care of their personal needs. This includes food, drinks, proper clothing, and ensuring they are well rested and ready to learn.

Equipment, Logistics, and Materials

Please review the field equipment list needed to successfully complete Instructing in Avalanche Terrain—Basic.

 

Be ready for classroom time and field work. Make sure to have warm clothing for prolonged outdoor work in cold and potentially wet conditions, and good quality breathable outer layers to protect you from wind and rain. Students who are well prepared with the necessary equipment and basic knowledge will benefit everyone by allowing us to conduct the course’s daily sessions in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Transportation

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




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

Course Evaluation

Course evaluation is a combination of written tests and exercises, field book observations, practical examinations, and field discussions .

 

Passing requirements: 

• Students must obtain a minimum of 70% on all assessment categories to attain the Instructing in Avalanche Terrain—Basic certificate.
• Failure in two assessment categories results in a failure of the entire course despite an overall mark greater than 70%.
• If a student has an overall mark of 70% but has failed one of the assessment categories, they are eligible to retest the failed category.
• • The above criterium applies to all but the Group Management assessment category. For example, if a student has an overall mark of 70% but has failed the Group Management assessment, the student has failed the entire course.
• The field book is an exception to the failing of two categories criterion. If a student fails the field book evaluation AND another assessment category, they are eligible to retest both categories. 
  

Student Policies and Release of Liability and Waiver

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