Avalanche Search and Rescue Level 1.
The Avalanche Search and Rescue (AvSAR) Level 1 course is the first stage of the Canadian Avalanche Association’s Industry Training Program. This course focuses on fundamental AvSAR concepts and techniques essential to snow and avalanche workers who may respond to an avalanche incident as a first responder or team member. The course introduces students to the CAA as an organization and to AvSAR skills, techniques and strategies.
Contact Student Services for more info.
The course schedule is intensive and includes a combination of classroom sessions, field exercises, and evening assignments, leaving limited free time throughout the program. Expect long days that begin early, have no scheduled meal breaks and potentially challenging winter conditions. Students are expected to be able to safely travel in a variety of snow conditions and participate in physically demanding field exercises.
Delivery Format: Online pre-course, Field-based
Duration: 4 days
For courses requiring lift access, lift tickets are provided. Students with a season pass are encouraged to bring it. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the classroom and field locations.
For more details, including learning objectives and assessment information, download the course outline (pdf).
- Incident Command System (ICS) 100 course certificate.
- Be 19 or older for courses in British Columbia, or 18 or older for courses in Alberta and Quebec
- 80-hour first aid certificate
- AST 1
Important: Students who do not meet the above criteria on the first day of the course will be required to leave the course.
Registration Fee: $275.00 (Non- refundable)
Tuition: $1,371.00
Total: $1,646.00
Upon registration, students will receive a detailed preparation guide, including access to the online pre-course and detailed schedule. Students should become familiar with the functions of their transceiver prior to arrival.
Students are encouraged to review the resources available in the AvSAR Video Resource Library ahead of the course.
- required to bring all items listed on the Student Equipment List (PDF)
- responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the course and field locations.
