(Future) professionals in the snow and avalanche industry

Professional-level training

The Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) Professional Training Program is internationally recognized as one of the highest certification standards for avalanche safety workers.

What’s new since 2024-2025: The CAA‘s professional training progression has been modified and is now in effect. Here is a summary of the major changes:

Training courses in Quebec

A number of training courses are offered in French in Quebec or are available online. Here are some of them:

Introduction to weather

First of two weather courses focusing on mountain environments and their interconnections with snow and avalanches.

Offered in Quebec on April 11-12, 2026 (in French, two days) or online in fall 2025 and winter 2026 (in English, over 8 weeks).

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Avalanche Search and Rescue 1 (AvSAR1)

Prerequisites : Incident Command System 100 course (ICS 100)

First professional training course introducing the fundamental concepts, techniques, and strategies of search and rescue for responding to avalanche incidents. This four-day course will be offered in Quebec in French from January 9 to 12, 2026, at Forêt Montmorency.

Important: As of winter 2024-2025, the Avalanche Search and Rescue 1 (AvSAR 1) course is a mandatory prerequisite for the Avalanche Operations Level 1 course. Students who have already completed the Avalanche Operations Level 1 course prior to 2024-2025 will not be required to take the AvSAR1 course.

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Avalanche Search and Rescue Level 2 (AvSAR 2)

Rerequisite: Avalanche Operations Level 1

The second Avalanche Search and Rescue course, AvSAR 2, teaches hazard and risk management in addition to advanced techniques and strategies. It is intended for industry professionals and search and rescue volunteers. This three-day course will be offered in French in the Chic-Chocs from March 13 to 15, 2026.

Important : The new AvSAR 2 course replaces the former AvSAR Advanced Skills course. If you have already taken the AvSAR course before 2024-2025, you do not need to take AvSAR 2.

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Instructing in avalanche terrain - Basic (field)

Prerequisites : Instructing in avalanche terrain - Foundation (Online course) & Avalanche Operations Level 1

Instructing in Avalanche Terrain - Basic is a three-day field course for those who wish to teach the AST1 and Companion Rescue recreational courses from the Avalanche Canada training program. Successfully completing this course and being accepted as a CAA Educator Member are the first steps toward becoming an Avalanche Canada Recreational Avalanche Safety Instructor. Offered in French in the Chic-Chocs from February 25 to 27, 2026.

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Credit Grant Gunderson - James Heim heli skiing at Snow Watter BC

Introduction to Avalanche Operations online course

This online course provides in-depth coverage of a variety of topics, including mountain weather, snowpack, and avalanche terrain. Students will navigate through the 12 units at their own pace, in English or French. This course is a prerequisite for the Avalanche Operations Level 1 course, but is also relevant for anyone wishing to pursue further education in avalanche safety.

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Avalanche Operations Level 1

Prerequisites : AvSAR 1 & Intro to avalanche operations

Professional-level technical course for anyone interested in working in the snow and avalanche industry. This seven-day training course will be offered in French in the Chic-Chocs from February 9 to 15, 2026.

New since 2024-2025 : New for 2024–2025: The AvSAR 1 course is now a prerequisite for the Avalanche Operations Level 1 course.

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Instructing in avalanche terrain - Foundation (Online course)

Rerequisite: Avalanche Operations Level 1

This online course provides an overview of the skills required to teach Avalanche Canada's recreational course program. Successful completion of these courses and acceptance as an CAA Educator Member are the first steps toward becoming an Avalanche Safety Recreational Instructor (Avalanche Canada). Students progress at their own pace to complete the 11 modules.

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Instructing in avalanche terrain - Advanced (field)

Prerequisites : Instructing in avalanche terrain - Basic & Avalanche Operations Level 2

Instructing in Avalanche Terrain - Advanced Module is a three-day field course for those who wish to teach more advanced recreational courses, such as AST2 and Avalanche Terrain Management from Avalanche Canada's training program. Successful completion of this course and acceptance as an CAAA Educator Member are the steps to becoming an Avalanche Safety Recreational Course Instructor (Avalanche Canada). Offered in English in the West in Winter 2026.

Please indicate your interest in a course in Quebec in 2027 (12 registrations required).

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Training courses in Western Canada

Due to lower demand in Eastern Canada, some more advanced courses are offered exclusively in Western Canada, and are conducted entirely in English. They are as follows

Instructing in avalanche terrain - Advanced module (terrain)

The “Instructing in Avalanche Terrain – Advanced Module” course is a three-day field course for those wishing to teach recreational courses such as AST2 and Managing Avalanche Terrain from Avalanche Canada’s training program. Successful completion of this course and acceptance as a CAA Educator Member are the steps to becoming a Recreational Avalanche Safety Instructor (Avalanche Canada).

Available in English in the West in winter 2026.

Please mention your interest in a course in Quebec in 2027 (12 places required)

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Avalanche operations Level 2

Advanced program for full-time avalanche safety professionals. 100 days of professional experience (two full seasons) are required to apply. Three modules for a total of 15 days. Offered in Western Canada only. Learn more

Advanced weather course

Second and final weather course where you can analyze numerical weather prediction models to anticipate changes in snowpack stability and avalanche danger. Three days, offered in Western Canada only. Learn more

Avalanche operations Level 3

Final course in the professional path, Level 3 is aimed at avalanche safety program managers in order to integrate applied risk management methods based on ISO 31000 standards. 12 days, offered in Western Canada only. Learn more

Avalanche Safety Training Course Flowchart

To get a clearer idea of the recreational courses on offer for the general public (Avalanche Canada Training Program) or the professional training on offer (Canadian Avalanche Association curriculum), click on the flowchart.

Scholarships available

Training to become an avalanche professional comes with a certain financial burden. Fortunately, to reward excellence and encourage the next generation, two scholarships are available specifically for students of the Avalanche Operations Level 1 course in Quebec, and a number of others across the country.

Alexandra Oberson Scholarship

Worth $1,250, the Alexandra Oberson scholarship is awarded to the female graduate with the best cumulative result. It aims to encourage the next generation of women in the snow and avalanche industry.

Canadian Avalanche Association Scholarships

The CAA offers multiple scholarships to support the costs associated with professional training.

Avalanche Canada Foundation Scholarships

Several memorial funds and scholarships are presented on the Avalanche Canada Foundation website. One of them may apply to you!

Did you know that we offer internships?

Avalanche Québec offers internship opportunities for graduates of Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) professional training programs ? Two options are available: a one-day observation internship and/or a one-day professional internship.

The observation internship allows you to join the Avalanche Québec field team in its daily operations of data collection and avalanche bulletin production. Available on request only, from January to March.

The professional training course is designed to review the skills acquired in the professional courses (Avalanche Operations Level 1 and AvSAR), with a view to maintaining expertise, as suggested by professional and continuing development. Offered on a fixed date several times during the winter. The proposed dates are February 5 and March 5, 2026.

Would you like to teach avalanche safety courses?

Teaching avalanche safety courses, both recreational and professional, is an exciting and accessible career opportunity. Since these courses are run by two separate organizations, the criteria and procedures for each level differ. Here are some details:

Recreational level courses

To become an instructor for recreational courses developed and standardized by Avalanche Canada, three steps are required:

You must be an “educator”, “practitioner” or “professional” member of the Canadian Avalanche Association (see next section);
Take the ” Instructing in avalanche terrain – Foundation ” course (online) and the ” Teaching in avalanche terrain – Basic module (field)” course or the “Teaching in avalanche terrain – Basic module (field)” course (online).
Finally, register as a course provider with Avalanche Canada.

Avalanche Québec has a service agreement to support Avalanche Canada suppliers and instructors in Québec. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Professional level courses

The Canadian Avalanche Association’s (CAA) industry training program is always looking for qualified instructors. Courses are offered in Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta and internationally (Japan, Iceland, Sweden).

Prospective instructors must be professional members and register their interest with the ACA. Recruitment is ongoing.

The professional association of industrial workers

The Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA or ACA) represents the professional snow and avalanche community in Canada. The ACA’s mission is to ensure that its members – avalanche practitioners with diverse backgrounds – meet the highest standards and adhere to best practices, in order to earn the trust of governments, industry and Canadians.

Become a member

Gain recognition for the highest level of professionalism in Canada and internationally by becoming an ACA member today.

Affiliate member

For people involved in avalanche-related activities on a regular or part-time basis. No continuing education requirements and no voting rights.
More info

Associate member

Groups, clubs or organizations that participate in avalanche-related activities or provide an avalanche-related product or service. No voting rights.
More info

Basic educator member (new)

For anyone interested in teaching Avalanche Canada’s “Introduction to Avalanche Safety (CSA1)” and “Self Rescue” recreational courses. Continuing education required and no voting rights. Click here for prerequisites.
More info

Advanced educator member (new)

For anyone interested in teaching Avalanche Canada’s “Advanced Avalanche Safety Course (CSA2)” and “Avalanche Terrain Management (ATM)” recreational courses. Continuing education required and no voting rights. Click here for prerequisites.
More info

Practitioner member

For people who are involved in avalanche-related activities as part of their job and who meet the required qualifications. Continuing education requirement and voting rights.
More info

Professional member

For people who are involved in avalanche-related activities as part of their job and who meet the required qualifications. Continuing education requirement and voting rights.
More info

The advantages are many

Depending on your membership category, you can :

Avalanche Québec has a service agreement to support members and future members of the ACA du Québec. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

NEWSLETTERS FOR PROFESSIONALS (FR)

A few times a year, we publish a newsletter aimed at members of the industry, be they graduates of the Avalanche Operations Level 1 course, owners of guiding companies, guides or snow science researchers. If you’ve missed any, or would like to read them, here they are.

Video Resources (FR)

Over the past few years, Avalanche Québec has offered a number of presentations aimed at professionals. Topics have included snow science, alpine weather and ACA membership. To review them, here’s the specific reading list.