Avalanche Awareness Days 2016

This weekend (January 16-17) marks Avalanche Canada’s annual Avalanche Awareness Days, a series of events at ski resorts across Canada to promote safety in the backcountry. As guides and avalanche educators ourselves, Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures will be participating both in Whistler and the Rockies this year. Here’s a list of events going on this weekend.

Burstall Pass Day Use Area, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, AB (January 17)

For those of you in Banff, Canmore, Calgary or surrounding areas, Alberta Parks is organizing an information session at Burstall Pass Day Use Area in Kananaskis Country on Sunday, January 17 from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. MSA guide Brad Derringer will be on hand hosting talks and answering questions about avalanche terrain until 1 p.m., followed by transceiver search scenarios between 1 and 2:30 p.m. There will be free hot dogs and hot chocolate provided, but remember to dress warm and bring water with you.

Avalanche Awareness Days 2016 Whistler Mike Gamble
Correct shoveling technique can save minutes during an avalanche rescue | Photo Mike Gamble

Companion Rescue Skills Refresher, Whistler Mountain, BC (January 15)

Has it been a season or two since you took your AST 1? Vancouver and Sea to Sky residents are welcome to join us this Friday, January 15 for a Companion Rescue Refresher course. Participants will meet guides at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain at 11 a.m. The course runs for three hours and covers transceiver search technique, effective probing and shoveling as well as the function of airbags.    There is a $10 registration fee and a backcountry day lift ticket, seasons pass or edge card is required for mountain access. Bring your backcountry equipment (touring skis/splitboard, skins, beacon shovel and probe) but you can let us know if you require rentals when you register. All participants will also earn a $40 discount on our AST Level 2 course. Call 604 938 9242 or email info@mountainskillsacademy.com to book your spot.

Avalanche Awareness Days 2016 Whistler
Nora the avalanche rescue dog will again be at the Avalanche Hut on Blackcomb Mountain this Saturday

Avalanche Awareness Days, Blackcomb Mountain, BC (January 16-17)

Whistler Blackcomb hosts daily Avalanche Awareness Tours daily at the Avalanche Hut on Blackcomb Mountain (across from the Rendezvous Lodge) at 12:30 p.m. An Avalanche Awareness tour guide will be on hand at this location to answer questions both Saturday and Sunday with transceiver skills and self rescue practice near the top of Solar Coaster Chair. Guests can also meet Avalanche Rescue Dog Nora on Saturday.

Whistler AST Level 2 Course January 16-19

Ready for the next level of avalanche training? We are running our AST Level 2 course over four consecutive days (January 16-19 inclusive) and we still have a handful of spots left. Call 604 938 9242 or email info@mountainskillsacademy.com to check availability.

Avalanche Awareness Days 2016 Whistler Companion Rescue Refresher

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