Instructing in Avalanche Terrain – Foundation – Online course
This online course is the first step for those seeking to instruct recreational avalanche courses, and serves as a foundation for the CAA’s two Instructing in Avalanche Terrain courses. This course provides learners with an awareness of the tools for Avalanche Canada Training (ACT) delivery, including Guidelines for Instructing in Avalanche Terrain (GIAT), effective instructional strategies, decision-making tools, roles and responsibilities, duty of care, and risk management tools specific to the delivery of ACT courses.
What to expect
The course is self-paced and comprises 11 modules. Students progress at their own pace, taking around 20 hours to complete the course. An online discussion forum enables students to talk to each other about the various topics.
The 11 modules are :
- Key elements of a lesson plan ;
- Key component of lesson delivery ;
- effective field, classroom, and virtual teaching techniques ;
- Fundamentals of effective feedback ;
- Key considerations for instructing different user groups such as youth and adults ;
- Avalanche Skills Training (AST) decision-making tools ;
- Match a specific AST decision-making tool based on a given scenario ;
- Guidelines for Instruction in Avalanche Terrain (GIAT) guidance and support tools ;
- Requirements for avalanche educators in GIAT ;
- Tools to support the development of a terrain catalog ;
- Additional requirements for recreational course providers.
Language
For the time being, the Instructing in Avalanche Terrain – Foundations course is only available in English. However, some resources, such as the Decision-Making Tools and the Guidelines for Instructing in Avalanche Terrain (GIAT), are available in French.
Continuation of the curriculum
You must complete the “Instructing in Avalanche Terrain – Foundations” online course before starting your “Teaching in avalanche terrain – Basic module” or “Advanced module” course. Once you have completed the course, you will receive a digital certificate. Be sure to keep a copy, as it will be required as proof of registration for field courses.
ASSESSMENT
Short quizzes are presented at the end of each module. A score of 100% is required to complete the course, but it is possible to retake the quizzes several times in order to achieve the required result.
Registration
The registration fee for 2025-2026 is $130. Unlimited seating
Available from September 1st, 2025 to May 31, 2026.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about the Avalanche Search and Rescue 2 course (price, date, location, etc.), please contact the Canadian Avalanche Association (studentservices@avalancheassociation.ca), please.
