RTAM courses involve approximately 40% in-class and 60% field-based study. Field work involves walking in snow and time on foot, so students must be physically able to travel on foot in deep snow for short periods of time. In past years, students travelled to the maintenance yard at Whitewater Ski Resort/Hummingbird Pass, the Apex cross country ski area, and Kootenay Pass (a road-accessed BC MOTI facility). Therefore, students will need to walk around in (sometimes deep) snow, take field weather observations, watch and perform snow profiles, and learn how to conduct a companion rescue. No prior experience in mountain travel or snow study is required to participate in RTAM courses.

The Resource and Transportation Avalanche Management goals and objectives are displayed in the course DACUM .

This is a professional-level course. It does not qualify students to make operational decisions regarding avalanche risk or carry out duties such as active avalanche control. In most cases, industrial companies and contractors will still need to engage the services of a qualified avalanche professional or other qualified registered professional to assess their level of avalanche risk and determine appropriate mitigation requirements.

Applicants must by 19 or older at time of registration.

Recommended courses:

• Avalanche Skills Training  1 or 2
• Avy Savvy: Avalanche Canada's Online Avalanche Tutorial

Registration opens online on September 4, 2024 at 10:00AM Pacific. Visit the course calendar for course dates, locations, location-specific logistics, and registration.

A partial payment option of 50% at time of registration is available, with final payment due 45 days before the start of the course. To register, please ensure your payment method has an adequate credit limit.

An additional $100 international shipping fee may be applied for students who reside outside of Canada.

For information on potential funding for CAA students, please consult the Scholarships & Grants page.

Click here for a sample RTAM schedule.

Days on the course can be long and it is the student's responsibility to take care of their personal needs. This can include classroom snacks, proper clothing, and ensuring they are well rested ready to learn.

Please refer to the course equipment list as a general guideline

Upon registration, all students will receive a confirmation email that contains links to the course logistics. Students will be mailed a program package that includes the RTAM Student Manual. The student should contact the CAA office if they have not received this package one month prior to course start.

Pre-course readings and questions will take about 20 hours and must be completed prior to starting the course. Students will also need to be prepared for their companion rescue exam (see student manual).

The course is a mixture of classroom and field-based learning. Students will alternate between being inside and outside daily. A venue specific equipment list will be emailed to students upon registration. Make sure to read this list carefully and bring all mandatory items. 

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

If your course requires lift access, tickets will be provided by your instructors. If you have a season pass for the area please bring this with you.

Participants are evaluated by practical and written tests on weather, snowpack, and avalanche observations and techniques; knowledge of avalanche terrain, the formation of avalanches, avalanche rescue, and record keeping. Evaluation is done throughout the course and students are given the opportunity to learn and ask questions prior to being examined. A minimum mark of 70% is required to obtain a certificate of completion. 

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.