Introduction to Weather goals and objectives are displayed in the course DACUM  .

Participants must be of legal age (19 years or older in BC, 18 years or older in AB and QC).

Recommended courses and experience:

• Avalanche Operations Level 1

The online course takes place over eight weeks on Moodle, the CAA`s online learning platform. It is primarily self-directed, with weekly one-hour Zoom sessions with the instructor. The materials for each topic are made available on a weekly basis and we recommend that students commit four to six hours per week, not including the Zoom sessions. The Zoom sessions are optional and are recorded for those who cannot attend.

The online course also involves one formative assessment (graded for feedback only) and one summative assessment due at the end of week eight. This summative assessment constitutes your final passing grade. Late submissions will not be accepted. Medical extension will be considered on a case-by-case basis: should your medical circumstances forbid you from completing the course, please email BOTH your instructor AND ITP Student Services (studentservices@avalancheassociation.ca) as soon as you are able.

To participate in the online option, students will require access to a computer/laptop/tablet, a fast, reliable Internet connection (wired connections are strongly recommended), a headset (microphone and speakers), and a webcam.

Registration takes place online beginning on June 25, 2025 at 10:00AM Pacific. Visit the course calendar for course dates, locations, and registration information.

Full payment is required to register.

2025-26 Online Course Fees:

For information on potential funding available for CAA students, please consult 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 on the Student Resources Page for details and to review the Release of Liability and Waiver.

View a sample schedule for the in person version of the Introduction to Weather.

In-Person

Immediately following registration, all students will be given access to a course-specific Box drive with information regarding course logistics, venues, and mandatory preparation checklists. This link is featured in the registration confirmation email, and resent once again before the course begins.

Pre-course readings and questions take 20+ hours and must be completed prior to starting the course.

Online

Students will be given access to a view-only PDF version of the course manual.

To participate in the course, students require access to a computer/laptop/tablet, a fast, reliable Internet connection (wired connections are strongly recommended), a headset (microphone and speakers), and a webcam.

Upon registration, all students will receive a confirmation email that contains a link to the course logistics folder. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the CAA office if they have not received this link. Students will have the option to purchase a hard copy of the student manual from Amazon Direct Publishing.

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

Participant are evaluated based on the final assignment, which involves interpreting weather resources from a weather event and applying them to a specific location. A passing mark of 70% or greater must be achieved to attain the Introduction to Weather certificate.

Students taking the online version must also complete weekly learning activities to obtain the course certificate. 

Refer to the student resources webpage for a complete list of student policies, the CAA Release of Liability and Waiver, and other information.