Home » Training » Resource and Transportation Avalanche Management
Training

Resource and Transportation Avalanche Management.

Resource and Transportation Avalanche Management provides avalanche training to managers and supervisors, such as road superintendents and managers, and workers who assist in the recognition and evaluation of risks associated with work in avalanche terrain. Throughout the course, participants build an improved understanding of avalanche formation, weather influence, snowpack properties, terrain features, and strategic communication tools used in avalanche risk management. 

Workers from any industry that involves exposure to avalanche terrain will benefit from taking this course. Students may enroll to meet workplace requirements. Participants have come from the transport maintenance, mining, transmission line, forestry, and highway construction sectors. 

RTAM is intended for personnel who require a solid foundational understanding of avalanche hazards to support workplace safety, but it does not qualify participants to make formal operational avalanche control decisions or perform active avalanche mitigation. In most cases, industrial companies and contractors will still need to engage the services of a qualified avalanche professional or other qualified registered professional to assess their level of avalanche risk and determine appropriate mitigation requirements. 

Contact Student Services for more info.

The Industry Training Program (ITP) courses focus specifically on avalanche related topics. In Canada, please refer to the Canadian Ski Guide Association, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, or the Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association for guide training and certification programs.

Fieldwork involves walking in snow and time on foot, so students must be physically able to travel on foot in deep snow for short periods of time. In past years, students travelled to the maintenance yard at Whitewater Ski Resort/Hummingbird Pass, the Apex cross-country ski area, and Kootenay Pass (a road-accessed BC MOT facility). Therefore, students will need to walk around in (sometimes deep) snow, take field weather observations, watch and perform snow profiles, and learn how to conduct a companion rescue. No prior experience in mountain travel or snow study is required to participate in RTAM courses. 

Delivery Format: approximately 40% in-class and 60% field-based study. 
Duration: 5 days  

For more details, including learning objectives and assessment information, download the course outline.  

Recommended:

Registration Fee: $275.00 (Non-refundable)
Tuition: $2,191.00
Total: $2,466.00

Upon registration, students will receive a detailed preparation guide that includes the required pre-course workbook, the evaluation scheme and a detailed course schedule. Students will also need to be prepared for their companion rescue exam.

  • Please refer to the  Student Equipment List (PDF) as a general guideline. Reach out to the CAA office if you have any questions about equipment needs.  
  • responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the course and field locations.

Student Resources

Please refer to the Refund and Cancellation Policy.

All student tuitions, except online, private and funded courses, are insured through the A.W.G Dewar Tuition Refund Plan. Please review the policy overview to better understand the coverage and its limitations. To initiate a tuition insurance claim, contact Student Service: studentservices@avalancheassociation.ca or 604-757-2113.

CAA partner, Acera Insurance, offers Industry Training Program students optional trip cancellation/interruption insurance for hut fees. To request a quote or purchase a policy online, get a quote from Acera. If you have further questions about coverage, contact travel@acera.ca or 1.877.542.8577 or 1.250.542.8577. 

There are several funding opportunities available to ITP students. Visit the Scholarships and Grants page to learn more.

For most courses, students will receive a digital copy of the course manual upon registration.

Students who prefer a hard copy can purchase course manuals through Kindle Direct Publishing. Manuals ship directly to students and typically arrive within 1–2 weeks.

The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a process that allows individuals to gain recognition for their prior learning. The learning may be formal, informal, or experiential. The PLA process provides a template for determining whether an applicant has the training and experience necessary to:

a) Waive a CAA course prerequisite; or
b) Earn a CAA course certificate through equivalency

For more information visit our Prior Learning Assessment page  

Students are required to read and agree to the CAA Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement (the “Release of Liability and Waiver”) as a condition of participating in each course/retest. By signing, you will waive or give up certain legal rights, including the right to sue for negligence, breach of contract, or breach of the Occupiers Liability Act or claim compensation following an accident. The Release of Liability and Waiver will be available for completion at the beginning of each course/retest. If the Release of Liability and Waiver is not completed, the student will not be permitted to participate in the course/retest, and a refund will be provided. A copy of the Release of Liability and Waiver (2 pages) is available for review below. PLEASE READ THE WAIVER CAREFULLY before registering for a course/retest.

Registration is now open.

Upcoming Sessions

  • Date: Nov 30, 2026 – Dec 4, 2026
    Location: Smithers, British Columbia
    Price: $2,466.00
    Register Now

No training sessions available for this program.

What our community is saying

  • Can’t thank them enough

    The instructors were very helpful with any question we had. They made a very comfortable and productive environment.
    AvSAR L1 Student

  • Amazing instructor

    I’m so thankful I had such amazing instructors that taught the course wonderfully. You could feel their passion when sharing their knowledge and experiences. They put a lot of effort into delivering a fantastic course. I am very satisfied with my experience and can’t wait to further my learning with the CAA. Thank you
    Ops 1 student

  • Very enjoyable

    The course was very enjoyable, educationally beneficial and a positive learning environment.
    AvSAR L2 Student

  • Thank you

    I can’t thank you all enough!
    What a great learning experience.
    Ops 2 Student

  • Fantastic instructors

    I would like to recognize the instructors for providing exceptional training. They are fantastic at breaking down processes and details to support learning every step of the way. Their passion for education made the experience fantastic. Thank you also to the office staff for their assistance and timely responses. You are all wicked, and I sincerely appreciate the energy and work you bring to the CAA and its students.
    Ops 2 Student