Rescue Dynamics Edmonton, AB, Canada T6L 1K5 email: Download a printable copy of the waiver and application form View a copy of the booking and cancellation policy View the course calendar by month

Greetings,

NOTE: Public courses and guiding were suspended for 2022 due to continuing issues related to COVID. We hope to return to a more normal schedule in 2024.

The Complete Introduction to Winter Ski Touring will be held on TBA inclusive (Saturday to Friday / 7 days) and will be based out of Canmore. The course consists of three courses back to back. These courses are Introduction to Backcountry Touring and Ski Techniques (3 days), AST 1 / Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (2 days) and Introductory Ski Touring & Winter Glacier Travel (2 days). The price when all three courses are booked together is $735.00 including GST subject to change. Detailed information is available on each component course at the above links.

In order for you to be confirmed on the course you must first complete the personal information form, then read, understand and sign the waiver. You will then need to mail or email those completed forms in. You will then be billed for the course fees.

If you have not paid, your spot is NOT yet confirmed. We reserve the right to cancel the course in the event of severe weather or low enrollment. Should this happen, your course fees will be refunded. See our website for complete cancellation policies and procedures.

Should less than three persons sign up for the course, we reserve the right to cancel the course. We also reserve the right to cancel the course in the event of extreme weather. Should this happen, your course fees will be refunded.

Meeting time and place for the Canmore / Banff courses is 8:00 am, at a location TBA. Be completely ready to head to the ski hill at the meeting time. Your breakfast should be totally finished when we meet. We will complete some paperwork and waivers before heading out.

You are responsible for your own meals, accommodation and transportation for the entire course. Be sure to prepare a bag lunch and bring water or other drinks for each day of the course, as we do not return to the vehicles for lunch on the field days. Bringing a lunch is also a smart idea for the classroom days as well. A good lightweight thermos is often handy for all of our field days.

The course will proceed in all but the most extreme weather. Be Prepared!

The first part of the week is Introductory Backcountry Touring and Ski Techniques from February 3 - 5, 2010 in the Canmore / Banff area. We began offering this exciting three day course in 2001. Many people find the hardest part of backcountry ski touring is the actual skiing itself. This course focuses on skiing in non - glaciated alpine terrain on either telemark or randonee (alpine touring) equipment.

Basic deep powder and difficult snow technique will be introduced from the ground up. We will examine strategies for using terrain evaluation and simple ski technique to make the backcountry a more enjoyable, highly survivable experience. We will also examine the role that equipment plays in making your winter turns more fun and stable. Track setting, route finding, pacing and related topics will be woven into the course material. All three days will be spent primarily outdoors but some time may be spent indoors as well.

The first day of the course takes place at Sunshine Meadows ski resort. The second and third days will either be near Lake Louise or Bow Summit in Banff National Park. Exact locations will depend upon conditions, weather, and group abilities and will normally be determined by the end of the sessions on the first day. The second and third days are out ski touring looking for snow to work on our skills and turns.

In order to be prepared for this course it is important that you get out on your touring gear at least a few times before this course. This is NOT a course for the raw beginner who has never skied before! We encourage you to take a lesson at a downhill ski resort on your telemark or alpine skis before coming out on this course. Even if all you can do is go to a small local downhill area, it can be worth every minute in advancing your cause in the mountains. Participants must be in good physical condition and able to ski uphill and downhill in control with a pack on easy groomed slopes (green or blue runs) and simple variable off trail snow conditions.

We DO NOT provide skis, skins, boots, poles or clothing. We encourage you to bring the very best equipment possible. Poor and outdated equipment will defeat the entire purpose of this course. You will require either good quality telemark or alpine touring (randonee) equipment including warm boots and clothing. Lightweight cross country track skis or skating skis are totally inadequate. We recommend skis with a minimum 90 to 100mm width at the tip. The wider the better for more flotation in difficult backcountry conditions.

You will require a LARGE day pack to carry your food, clothes and a share of the group gear for the entire week.

We provide instruction and avalanche safety equipment and beacons. Do NOT rent any avalanche or climbing equipment for this course. If you own your own beacon, shovel, probe, feel free to bring them. We DO NOT provide skis, climbing skins, boots, poles or clothing. Skis, boots and skins can be rented from MEC in Edmonton or Calgary or various outdoor outlets in Calgary and Banff.

The fourth and fifth days are the Avalanche Skills Training Course - Level 1. The course is taught following the CAA AST curriculum. Copies of the book “Backcountry Avalanche Awareness” and the NEW Avaluator are included. We provide free rental of avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe and snow study equipment.

Meeting time and place for day four (first day of AST 1) is 8:00 am (location TBA). Be completely ready for an indoor class at that time, but bring warm clothes for a short outdoor session later in the afternoon. Persons unfamiliar with this location can check our website for maps to be posted prior to each course (or call for directions).

These two days introduce you to avalanche phenomenon. We will look at the winter snowpack, avalanche terrain, safety measures and rescue procedures. The first day will be mostly classroom with some outdoor work and the second day will be a field trip.

On the second day of the AST 1 we go into the mountains of Banff Park usually near Lake Louise or Bow Summit. Locations will depend upon conditions and weather and will be determined by the end of the classroom sessions on the first day.We will provide instruction and all of the snow study equipment. If you own your own avalanche beacon, shovel, probe, snow saw or snow study kit, we would encourage you to bring them so that you will become familiar with your own equipment. Otherwise we provide these items so please DO NOT waste money renting gear you don't need.

During the second day of the AST Level 1 course we will be doing stability tests and snow observations which will have us outside and stationary in the cold. Many people get cold feet standing in the cold in ski boots - be prepared! Bring a down jacket and warm-up pants. Be sure your clothing can handle the changes in mountain environment, including cold, wind, snow and bright sun. Spare gloves / mitts are a must.

The final two days consist of the Glacier Travel segment. This course introduces you to ski touring on glaciated terrain including roped travel, crevasse rescue, track setting, route finding and related topics. The first day will be mostly classroom with some outdoor work near the classroom and the second day will be a glacier field trip. The classroom instruction for this course takes place in Canmore with the second day at the Columbia Icefields.

Once again we will provide instruction and all the technical equipment required for this segment including ropes, harnesses, pulleys, beacons, shovels, probes, etc. If you own your own beacon, shovel, probe or harness, feel free to bring them. Do NOT rent any avalanche or climbing equipment for this course. You still need your skis of course.

During the final day we will be doing rescue practice which will have us stationary in the cold. Many people get very COLD feet standing in the cold in ski boots - be prepared! A down Jacket and warm-up pants are a must for all of the outdoor days. Be sure your clothing can handle the changes in mountain environment, including extreme cold, wind, snow and bright sun. Spare gloves / mitts are a must. The course will proceed in all but the most severe weather. The course equipment list may help you to prepare for the course.

Meeting time and place for the Glacier Travel segment is 8:00 am (location TBA). Be completely ready for an indoor class at that time, but bring warm clothes for a possible outdoor session later in the afternoon. The second day will most likely be at the Columbia Icefields which involves a LONG drive with an early morning start. Your vehicle should be fueled up as there are no gas stations open north of Lake Louise in the winter.

You must have a valid Park Vehicle Group Pass or Personal Pass to attend this course, as we are travelling in National Park areas. Be sure to purchase one when you first enter the Park if you do not already have one.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT WAIVERS: Our insurer requires that we have a two part process for using and administering waivers. If you sign up by mail or email you must included a signed and witnessed ACMG waiver and Avalanche Canada waiver as part of your application for these courses. You will also be required to sign a second full colour paper copy of each of the waivers in the presence of one of our staff members. There are no exceptions.

If you have any further questions, feel free to call or email.

Sincerely

Cyril Shokoples IFMGA
Chief Instructor / Mountain Guide

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Rescue Dynamics
Edmonton, AB, Canada T6L 1K5
Last updated Monday, June 5, 2023