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 12 unités du cours
sera aussi disponible en français, une fois le cours complété.
What to Expect
This course is self-directed and comprises 12 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
- Professional Avalanche Rescue
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
Introduction to Avalanche Operations opens for registration on October 1, 2024 on the course calendar.