Avalanche Safety Training

Avalanche safety, mountain travel, weather and/or wilderness first aid training courses are all relevant to improving your mountain skills and ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable day.

Two types of avalanche safety training courses are offered in Quebec: recreational courses, intended for the public, and professional courses.

Avalanche Québec does not offer any courses, but can help you to see more clearly, according to your objectives, in the range of courses on offer. Contact the providers directly for more details and for reservations. To do so, consult our calendar of events and click on the course you are interested in; the provider’s contact details will be displayed.

The courses have been divided into three distinct categories:

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Recreational Training Courses (general public)

Avalanche Québec promotes all avalanche training courses offered in Québec by the various independent course providers accredited by Avalanche Canada. The Avalanche Canada training program offers progression from a basic to an advanced level and is the national standard for recreational training. Contact the providers directly for more details and to book your place.

AVALANCHE SKILLS TRAINING 1 (AST1)

AST1 is the starting point for those who engage in recreational activities in the backcountry. No experience is necessary to take this two-day course. All members of your group should take AST1, as it is the first step to safe travel in the mountains.

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COMPANION RESCUE SKILLS

Companion rescue skills training is a one-day, 100% practical course designed to equip outdoor enthusiasts in the event of an avalanche accident. No experience is required for this one-day course. All members of the group should take this course, as it is essential for mountain rescue.

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MANAGING AVALANCHE TERRAIN

Prerequisite : AST1

A 100% field-based course that allows you to deepen your mountain traveling techniques. It is aimed at those who have completed AST1 and who wish to improve their terrain assessment skills. Lasting one day, it is the ideal bridge between AST1 and AST2.

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AVALANCHE SKILLS TRAINING 2 (AST2)

Prerequisites : AST1 + field experience

AST2 provides a decision-making framework for travel in avalanche terrain. Lasting four days, including three in the field, this course is structured around the daily process, which reproduces the same approach as that used by professionals. A season of putting AST1 concepts into practice is recommended before taking the AST2 course.

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The AST1 and AST2 courses are regularly offered, but the “Companion Rescue Skills” and “Managing Avalanche Terrain” courses are less so. If you are interested in these courses, let the independent course providers know; demand will certainly boost supply!

Suggested Further Training

To further develop your mountain skills, we recommend these five courses or platforms, all of which are open to the general public and require no prior training.

Avy Savvy

Whatever your level, Avalanche Canada's Avy Savvy online platform is a goldmine of information. In addition to the information section, you can do exercises such as route choice, trip planning or taking quizzes to test your knowledge.

Consult the Avy Savvy

Introduction to Weather

The first of two weather courses focusing on mountain environments and their interconnections with snow and avalanches. Offered once every two years in person in Quebec (in French, two days) or annually online (in English, over 8 weeks).

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INTRODUCTION TO AVALANCHE OPERATIONS ONLINE COURSE

This online course provides in-depth information on a variety of topics, including mountain weather, snow cover 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 further their avalanche education.

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Ski Practitioners Training (FQME)

Mountain skiing courses enable participants to equip themselves to make their practice safer by learning effective ascent and descent techniques. Available to all snow sports enthusiasts (skiing, telemark skiing, splitboard). Offered by the FQME, two days for Level 1 and four days for Level 2. (These courses are not listed on our events calendar.)

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Wilderness First Aid

The mountains are by definition a hostile and remote environment, difficult for urban emergency medical services to reach. Wilderness First aid training is essential for outdoor enthusiasts to be able to deal with emergency situations. Offered by various providers, these courses vary between 20, 40 and 80 hours. (These courses are not listed on our events calendar.)

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Professional-level Training Courses

Your career in the snow and avalanche industry starts here. All professional training courses are developed by the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) and constitute an international standard. Offered in Quebec by bilingual instructors, participants will have to use the course material in English.

Avalanche Search and Rescue Level 1 (AvSAR1)

Prerequisite : INTRODUCTION TO INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS100)

The first professional training course to present the fundamental concepts, techniques, and strategies of search and rescue for responding to an avalanche incident. This four-day course will be offered in Quebec in French from January 7 to 10, 2025.

New in 2024-2025: The AvSAR 1 course is now a prerequisite for the Avalanche Operations Level 1 course. Only those who have obtained a place on the AvSAR 1 course will be allowed to register for the Avalanche Operations Level 1 course in February 2025.

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Avalanche Operations Level 1

Prerequisites : AvSAR1 + Intro to avalanche operations

Professional-level technical course for anyone interested in working in the snow and avalanche industry. This seven-day course is offered in French in Quebec.

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

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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.

Youth

Program

Avalanche Québec offers a program of free activities for young people aged 12 to 17. Whether in the classroom or outdoors, contact us to discuss your needs.

Credit: La Semelle Verte