• Review the Introduction to Avalanche Operations course materials. Instructors recommend reading over the entire downloadable PDF, however, if you do not have time, then focus on Units 4, 5, & 6.
• Complete the Avalanche Operations Level 1 Pre-Course Quiz.
  
• Familiarize yourself with the Evaluation Scheme, including the passing requirements and retest criteria.
• Professional Rescue Exams may be conducted on the first day of the course, be prepared. Make sure you are well-versed in the use of your transceiver because there is NO time to practice during the course.
  • To prepare for your avalanche rescue exam, we recommend that you:
    • review the Level 1 Professional Avalanche Rescue Exam description.
    • practice realistic avalanche rescue scenarios with two burials in close proximity (buried 80 to 120cm deep and within 5-10 meters). Follow the steps outlined in the Introduction to Avalanche Operations Unit 12 Professional Avalanche Rescue.
    • view the various BCA Companion Rescue Series videos. A more comprehensive list of BCA videos is listed here (including "Introduction to Multiple Avalanche Burials" and " Complex Multiple Avalanche Burials: Backup Techniques").
      

Start time: 12:00 pm December 31st ,2021

Location: Smithers Golf and Country Club.

Expect long days for the Level 1 course. Come ready for all aspects, from classroom time to field work. Make sure to have warm clothing and good snow boots with tight closures at the top to keep out snow during daily weather observations. An equipment list outlines what you will need to bring with you to the course. Students who are staying in hut-based locations, refer to the Accommodation and Transportation menus below for further details.

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.

View a sample schedule for the Level 1 course.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the course location, and field locations. Carpooling is only recommended for students who are from the same household.

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.

Smithers accommodation.

Students are required to complete a Release of Liability and Waiver at the start of each course. A link to the Release of Liability and Waiver is found below. Please note that the document has two pages:

• Release of Liability and Waiver