Avalanche Skills PLUS Course Information Package
This is an information package for students who have already registered for this course. If you landed on this page from a Google search here is an overview of the Avalanche Skills PLUS courses, or read on for a detailed description.
If you have already signed up for a course please read this information package carefully. It should answer all your questions but if not you can contact me.
Course participants NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
Read and understand the guide waiver. You will need to sign this waiver at the beginning of the trip. It is important that you understand it before you arrive.
Have a look at the gear list and make sure you are able to bring everything on the list.
Let me know if you need me to provide any equipment for you.
vaccination
Vaccination for Covid is not required at this time. This may change depending on the local Covid situation at the time of the course.
Your Instructors
The lead instructor is Mark Klassen. I have been working as a ski patroller, guide and avalanche forecaster since the mid 80's and am an ACMG/IFMGA certified Mountain guide.
Meeting Time (Mountain Standard Time) and place
Both days: Normally we meet in Lake Louise, upstairs in the lounge at the Lake Louise International Hostel and Alpine Centre, at 7.30 AM. The exact location and time may change, if so this will be communicated shortly before the course.
Course Itinerary
Both days:
Morning meeting. Students need to arrive prepared with the first 1.5 pages of their Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain Field Book filled out (or equivalent field book). Leave the Route Plan portion of the book blank, we will complete it together. This book may be purchased here. The meeting will last about an hour.
Move to trailhead for the tour.
Field day. Discussions on how to reduce risk using travel techniques, observations, and terrain appropriate for the conditions.
Roadside debrief.
Possible Trips
Rockies: Crowfoot Trees, Observation Peak, Little Crowfoot Peak, Helen Shoulder, Crystal Ridge, Emerald Lake slide path, Chickadee Valley, Commonwealth Creek, etc
Possible Itinerary Changes
There is always the possibility of having to change this itinerary due to weather or snow conditions.
Pre-Course Preparation
Before the course please do the following:
Read as much as you can from a technical book such as Bruce Tremper's Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain.
Keep track of what the weather is doing the week previous to the course. Avalanche Canada has a good weather resource here.
Keep track of the avalanche bulletins for Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country.
Have a look at the Mountain Information Network and ACMG Mountain Condition Reports.
Good touring information for Banff can be found here.
Places to Stay
There are many hotels and hostels to stay at in both the Banff/Canmore area. For inexpensive accommodation I suggest:
Alpine Club of Canada Clubhouse (Canmore)
HI-Banff Alpine Centre (hostel)
YWCA (Banff)
Same Sun Hostel (Banff)
Some courses the morning meeting place on the field days will be Lake Louise. If so staying in Lake Louise is an option. Please ask if it is appropriate to stay in Lake Louise:
HI-Lake Louise Alpine Centre (hostel)
Safety in the Field
Safety is our first priority. There are a variety of ways you can help make this a safe trip for all of us:
Listen to the instructor's instructions and if you are uncertain of what is expected of you please ask
Take the online avalanche course at the Avalanche Canada website.
Practice with your avalanche transceiver before the trip. Make sure it both transmits and receives at least 30 m away. Understand all its functions and how to use them.
Please participate in a avalanche rescue scenario practice with some friends before the course.
We will be able to communicate with each other and outside agencies with cell phones, radios and my InReach device.
Risk
It is important to understand that no matter how well prepared we are there is still an element of risk to backcountry skiing. To lower your risk do the prep work I’ve outlined in the safety section above. You can have a large impact in regards to your own safety!
Mountain Rescue and Rescue Insurance
I nearly thirty years of guiding I have only had two guest evacuations from the field for minor injuries and one for a medical condition. The probability that we will need a rescue are low.
The plan is to operate in the national parks where mountain rescue is provided free of charge if you have a valid vehicle permit when you enter the park.
Medical Issues
If you have any pertinent medical issues that I should know about, please make sure you include that when you fill in the guest information form.
Remember, YOU NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
Click here to read and understand the guide waiver. You will need to sign this waiver at the beginning of the trip. It is important that you understand it before you arrive.
Have a look at the gear list and make sure you are able to bring everything on the list.
Let me know if you need me to provide any equipment for you.