2-day introductory avalanche course near Nelson, British Columbia

Before the course, you must read "Backcountry Avalanche Awareness" book by Bruce Jamieson, included in the price.

The guide will carry the following gear: SAT phone and/or VHF radio, first-aid kit & repair kit, crevasse rescue gear/ski-mountaineering rope (route dependent), evacuation gear for injured people, avalanche rescue gear, snow saw, snow study kit, maps of the area, GPS, compass, and altimeter.

You will need to bring:

Technical Equipment: • Alpine/Telemark Touring skis (lightweight bindings like Dynafit, G3 Onyx or Silvretta Pure are recommended) OR split board for snowboarding • Alpine/Telemark touring boots (with Vibram sole) • Ski poles (with regular powder baskets) • Climbing skins (at least as wide as the waist of your ski) • Digital avalanche transceiver (3 Antenna, 457 Megahertz with extra batteries)* • Lightweight snow shovel* • Avalanche probe* • Medium-sized day touring backpack (approx. 40 liters) with outside straps for ski attachment • Repair kit/spare parts for your bindings (optional) • Skin wax (a small amount) (*) SMG may be able to lend these items or to recommended you where they can be rented.

Clothing: • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore Tex or similar) • Wind and waterproof over pants (Gore Tex or similar with integrated gaiters) • Fleece pullover or jacket and down/fleece vest • Warm pants (thin: insulated/fleece) and warm shirt (not cotton) • Capilene, fleece or wool underwear, top and bottoms • Gloves (lightweight and heavier weight) • Scarf, neck gaiter or bandanna • Sun hat, preferably with wide rim • 2 pairs of socks with thicker outer (wool) and thinner liners (polypro) • Wool or fleece hat, covering the ears

Please note that the weather in West Kootenay can vary drastically. In the winter you can expect temperatures from -15°C to -5°C during the day while these could rise above zero in the spring. For clothing, we recommend the “layer system”, and light wear that doesn’t take much space in your backpack and dries quickly.

Other items: • Sun glasses (with very good UV protection) • Sun screen and lip protection • Goggles • 1-liter water bottle or thermos flask (Camelbaks are not recommended) • Headlamp with spare battery and bulb • Personal items (prescription medicine, small blister kit/first aid kit, extra contact lenses and maintenance equipment, prescription glasses, etc.) • Camera (optional) • Lunch and snacks