the professional camp for the unprofessional champ

We’ve created the next level intensive Backcountry and Avalanche Skills training camp, because after an AST 1 & 2 nothing exists to further the learning process.  Often people seek the CAA Ops level 1 course as the next step, but that’s not for everyone. That curriculum has a focus on recording standards to work as an avalanche professional not the actual decision making process.  Enter the caPROcess. (CAPOW plus Process)

Apply curriculum in complex big mountain terrain and learn the process how to put it all together. 

Learn from top certified guides a professional way to gather information, ground truth in the field, stimulate the conversation in a group and formulate a decision. 

We understand that not everyone wants to work as a professional in the Avalanche industry, but are still looking for professional decision-making, communication and terrain movement skills. The curriculum is intensive, mirroring something like a CAA professional Operations Level 1. In other words, days are spent accessing the best possible shredding. However, the focus will be on learning the steps it takes to get there.

“Over-a-cold-one(s)” evening sessions, we will build on the day’s curriculum, with the intention of developing personal decision-making and thought analyzing frameworks to take forward as a leader. We will cover how a professional conducts AM/PM meetings with daily Avalanche Canada Mountain Information Network posts.  You will be coached to communicate to a professional standard.  Evening sessions will include comprehensive avalanche theory, and relate from our previous experiences through case studies.  Hands on scenarios will cover rescue with advanced extraction techniques and improvised toboggan building.

We will be based out of the Valley Retreat in Revelstoke, BC – setting us up for a different location each day.  From Rogers Pass, Revy backcountry and one heli drop in the surrounding area we plan to drop you into unfamiliar and big terrain.  Big decisions start right away and keep happening all day. Class size will be 8 students, breaking into two groups each day giving a 4:1 ratio for full small group learning. It will be up to us as a group to decide where to go and what to do. Expect to set the up-track, get coached along the way and learn how to stimulate the conversation in a group to get the best out of the day.

Meals are provided, giving you the time and energy required to focus solely on maximizing your studies and learning experience. Just like Hogwarts.

There is no substitute for experience when it comes to backcountry and avalanche terrain decision-making and movement – but this is a course to expedite that learning and experience process. We’ve got high expectations for the course, and we have the same expectations for those that sign up. We’re looking for physically fit students with previous touring experience. An AST 2 or summary of equivalent experience is required.