Member of the Month

PartyBullshiit
March, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Backcountry/avalanche training...away from the mountains?

profile picture
Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
I'm a skier based in Manitoba, and
I've gotten a taste of the best of what the mountains have to offer (Fernie, Feb. 2014, snow all the time) and the worst (Kicking Horse, Feb. 2015, no fresh snow, ice & moguls). While skiing the worst, there was all the untracked, fresh snow sitting on the other side of the ski area boundary, just tempting me to hop the rope. Of course, I never did since I knew the stakes would be high if I hopped in without any of the proper knowledge or gear.

So anyways, I was wondering if it would be possible to take a backcountry training course without having to go to the mountains. Its not like I'm in Calgary, where within 2 hours I could be surrounded towering rock pyramids, its an 15 hour trip for me to get anywhere with significant vertical. Like I've been wanting to get my CSIA level 2 for a while now but can't afford the 'work-cation' I'd need to take to get it.

So yeah; is it possible? Yes or no?
Apr 15 2015 7:04PM
6 0
profile picture
VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564
CincherSo yeah; is it possible? Yes or no?


There's certainly ample reading material to keep you busy: Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, ABC's of Avalanche Safety, Snow Sense, and a multitude of online blogs. The CAA also have interactive 'games' on their website if I remember correctly and there's a bunch of different snow science apps you can take a look at. Of course reading a book is no substitute for practical hands on experience, but it'll give you a pretty solid grounding.
Apr 15 2015 7:15PM
1 0
profile picture
Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
I see, I'll look over those things you mentioned. I guess in the end, I'll still need to make the trek out west to get practical experience. Maybe if I can couple that with my CSIA training, I can kill two birds with one stone.

Where should I go to get training?
Apr 15 2015 7:42PM
0 0
profile picture
VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564
CincherMaybe if I can couple that with my CSIA training, I can kill two birds with one stone.

Where should I go to get training?


The CAA have a course directory on their website and Backcountry Magazine prints one at the back of all their issues; just use those resources to find your most convenient course.

There are some operations which offer both CSIA and AST courses, and the have courses where you tick off both. If your aiming to kill two birds with one stone on this trip, then that'll be the way to do it.
Apr 15 2015 8:18PM
1 0
profile picture
Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
Cincher(Kicking Horse, Feb. 2015, no fresh snow, ice & moguls). While skiing the worst, there was all the untracked, fresh snow sitting on the other side of the ski area boundary, just tempting me to hop the rope. Of course, I never did since I knew the stakes would be high if I hopped in without any of the proper knowledge or gear.


One of the biggest things to remember about skiing places where there is legitimately dangerous terrain, is that ropes are there for a reason. At Kicking Horse people get killed ducking ropes. It happens almost every year. In some situations safety gear only helps people find your remains.
There's an infamous spot at Revy that's the same way. And a waterfall at Sunshine that people get stuck on yearly.
Apr 16 2015 3:46PM
0 0
profile picture
Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
Caucasian_AsianOne of the biggest things to remember about skiing places where there is legitimately dangerous terrain, is that ropes are there for a reason. At Kicking Horse people get killed ducking ropes. It happens almost every year. In some situations safety gear only helps people find your remains.
There's an infamous spot at Revy that's the same way. And a waterfall at Sunshine that people get stuck on yearly.

I understand what you're trying to say. There was a bit of inbounds terrain that even I almost got stuck on. There's always a greater risk when stepping out into the backcountry. Even of I never left the ski area, I think it would still benefit me to learn about avalanche safety and becoming aware of possible triggers.
Apr 17 2015 12:06AM
0 0
profile picture
steeze4days
Posts: 358 - Karma: 1,948
Caucasian_AsianOne of the biggest things to remember about skiing places where there is legitimately dangerous terrain, is that ropes are there for a reason. At Kicking Horse people get killed ducking ropes. It happens almost every year. In some situations safety gear only helps people find your remains.
There's an infamous spot at Revy that's the same way. And a waterfall at Sunshine that people get stuck on yearly.


Where exactly is this waterfall?
Apr 17 2015 8:26AM
0 0
profile picture
Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/mtn/securiteenmontagne-mountainsafety/accidents/2012/03-2012.aspx
Apr 17 2015 10:06AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4)