Introduction to Avalanche Operations

PLEASE NOTE: If you are already registered for an Operations Level 1 course in the 2024-25 season, you DO NOT need to register for Intro to Operations separately. The fee for this course is included in the cost of Ops 1.

Introduction to Avalanche Operations is a prerequisite for Avalanche Operations Level 1 and it is also available to anyone interested in learning more about avalanche safety in a professional context.

As a prerequisite to professional-level training, this course will provide a foundation for further learning across a variety of topics, including mountain weather, the mountain snowpack, and avalanche terrain fundamentals. This course is designed to provide each student with a broad understanding of some of the important subjects tackled in Avalanche Operations Level 1.

Le cours Introduction aux Opérations d'avalanche est également disponible en français. Une fois inscrit, vous serez redirigé vers la platforme de cours en ligne. Il suffit alors de cliquer sur l'icône de la planète en haut à droite et de sélectionner la langue Française. Tous les textes principaux du cours sont en français. Les images, vidéos, ressources et exercices de révision à la fin de chacune des unités sont en anglais. Un document pdf avec le contenu détaillé des 11 unités du cours sera aussi disponible en français, une fois le cours complété.

What to Expect

This course is self-directed and comprises 11 units, all of which are available in French and English. Students can move through the course at their own pace and should expect to take approximately 25 hours to successfully complete it. Online forums are provided at each unit where students can discuss questions or topics with each other.

The 12 units are:

History of Avalanches in Canada
Avalanche Risk management Framework
Mountain Weather Fundamentals
Mountain Snowpack Fundamentals
Avalanche Formation and Characteristics
Avalanche Terrain Fundamentals
Avalanche Occurrence Observations and Recording
Snow Profile Observations
Communicating Hazard and Risk
Human Behaviour and Situational Awareness
Risk Mitigation and Mountain Travel

There are short quizzes at the end of each unit. You must get 100% in each quiz in order to pass this course, but you may attempt each quiz as many times as you need in order to achieve this.

Once you have received a passing grade, you will receive a certificate of completion.

IMPORTANT: You are required to bring a copy of your course certificate with you to your first day of your Operations Level 1 course.

Course Fees

Introduction to Avalanche Operations: $135

Full payment is due at time of registration.

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

Registration

Registration is now open; please click here to sign up.

IF YOU ARE REGISTERED FOR AN OPS 1 COURSE, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS COURSE AS WELL. Your Introduction to Avalanche Operations fees are included in the cost of your course. If you register for this online course in error, please email studentservices@avalancheassociation.ca to request your refund.

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PLEASE NOTE: If you are already registered for an Operations Level 1 course in the 2024-25 season, you DO NOT need to register for Intro to Operations separately. The fee for this course is included in the cost of Ops 1.

What to Expect

Course Fees

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

Registration

2025-2026 COURSE SCHEDULE