Avalanche Operations Level 2
 

 

** Students must apply and be accepted into the Level 2 Program to be eligible for registration. The application intake period for the 2024-2025 season is now closed. If you have any questions, please email the  ITP Coordinator  . **

 

Avalanche Operations Level 2 is an advanced program for people who work full time with avalanche safety and control operations.

 

The Level 2 program is divided into two components. Each component includes significant pre-readings, questions, and recommended activities to be completed before the course begins:

  • The Level 2 Course takes place over eight days and includes a blend of classroom and field-based learning. It focuses on personal performance, team building, communication, advanced snow science concepts, and operational decision making & risk management.
  • The Level 2 Assessment is a six-day field course where students’ skills and competency in both technical knowledge and practical application of Level 2 concepts are evaluated.

An Avalanche Operations Level 2 certificate is granted to students who successfully complete the assessment.

Program Goals

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

Prerequisites, Application, and Registration

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 .

 

2024-25 Course Fees & Locations

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.
Registration Fees $ 250.00 Non-refundable 
Course Materials $ 125.00 Non-refundable 
Tuition $ 1,911.00 Subject to Refund and Cancellation Policy
Location fee $ 475.00 Subject to Refund and Cancellation Policy
Total $ 2,761.00  


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

Purcell Mountain Lodge

Golden, BC

 
Registration Fees$ 250.00$ 250.00Non-refundable 
Course Materials$ 125.00$ 125.00Non-refundable 
Tuition$ 1,871.00$ 1,871.00Subject to Refund and Cancellation Policy
Hut Fee$ 1,264.44$ 1,491.76 Non-refundable
Hut Fee Tax$ 216.40$ 204.99Non-refundable
Total$ 3,726.84$ 3,942.75 

 

 
LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENTS (gOLDEN, BC & WHISTLER, BC)

For town-based Level 2 Assessments, 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.

Registration Fees$ 250.00Non-refundable 
Tuition$ 1,956.25Subject to Refund and Cancellation Policy
Helicopter Fee$ 375.00Non-refundable
Fee GST (5%)$ 18.75Non-refundable
Total$ 2,600.00 


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

Continuing Professional Development

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.

Sample Schedule

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.

 

Equipment, Logistics, and Materials

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.

 

Transportation

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.

Course Evaluation

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.

Student Policies

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

 

International Courses

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.

 


LEVEL 2 APPLICATION INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Box 2759, 110 MacKenzie Ave
Revelstoke, BC Canada, V0E 2S0
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Tel 250-837-2435
Fax 866-366-2094
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