Foundation Workshops

Mountain Safety

This introduction workshop is designed to give you an overview of staying safe on the mountain as well as what to do if a problem occurs.

• Safety Code
• Trail Maps
• Battle of the Signs
• Avalanches
• Beacon, Probe & Shovel
• Medical
• Tree Well
• Recognizing Snow Pits

Avalanche Awareness

This workshop is designed for mountain enthusiasts who are starting to tour on their own and possibly venturing out of the ski area boundries.

• Recognize & Avoid Avalanche Terrain
• Understanding Layed Snow
• Weather Indicators & Red Flags
• Basic Companion Rescue
• Avalanche Control Techniques
• Boundary Policies
• Avalanche Terrain & Terrain Maps
• Basic Route Selection
• Current Snow Pack Conditions
• Companion Recovery
• Probing, Shoveling, & Beacon use

Companion Rescue

This workshop will teach you the skills to effectively operate a rescue beacon, efficiently probe the snow to determine the victim's location and stratgically move snow with your shovel to uncover your companion

• Case Study - Mt. Proctor, BC
• Beacon Fundamentals
• Beacon Coarse Search
• Beacon Fine Search
• Beacon Practice
• Overview of Probe Methods
• Spiral Probe Method
• Beacon Search with Probe
• Strategic vs. Non-Strategic Shoveling
• Strategic Shoveling Methods (Terracing, V-Shaped, Multiple Rescuers)
• Putting it all Together

Avalanche Terrain Observation*

This is a follow up to the popular Companion Rescue Skills course. We will take the lifts to the top of Alpental Ski Area and head into the Alpental Backcountry for a short ski tour.**

• Avalanche terrain recognition skills
• Safe travel decisions
• WAC avalanche hazard discussion
• Avalanche rescue drill

*This workshop requires Advanced Skiing/Riding skills, the completion of the Companion Rescue Course, and touring equipment (skis or split board).

**Lift tickets or pass to be provided by the student.