This course is taught by Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures by a professional ACMG certified guide. MSAA is offering a special price for BCMC members of $296.65 + GST (regular price for non-members: $349 + GST). 

Don't forget that all Active BCMC Member receive a 15% Discount on ALL MSAA Courses. To receive the discount please contact our office at info@msaa.ca with your valid membership number.  

Develop your "Crevasse Rescue Skills" with the Sea to Sky's leading mountain school. Obtain the complete required skill set & implementation through expert certified guides and our carefully crafted curriculum. Est. 1991 - Trip Advisor; Hall of Fame status,  beloved and trusted by BCMC members!

Course Details:

From experience garnered worldwide and testing many different systems, ours combines the best elements of safety, lightness and ease of use.

An important point that differentiates our course from others is the un-roped victim course component. This includes rappelling and ascending into and out of a crevasse to perform rescue of an un-roped victim – an essential skill considering over 85% of glacier skiing is performed un-roped.

In order to be self-sufficient, backcountry skiers and alpine climbers learn the three all-important components: rope ascension, crevasse rescue and glacier travel.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Meet at 8:30am. The guide will have everyone sign a waiver and give a brief safety briefing along with discussing the day's objectives. This day will take place in the valley, and the guide will take you to an appropriate location to practice rope ascension.

The day will end at approximately 4:30pm with a short debrief of the day

Day 2: Meet at 8:30am The guide will start a discussion on the previous day, current conditions and glacier morphology. The group will then head to a local glacier (using the Whistler Blackcomb lift system) for the rest of the day.

The day will end at approximately 4:30pm with a course debrief and discussion of next steps for the students.

Gear List:

Equipment:

• Touring skis or splitboard with skins, poles, and appropriate boots – Day 2 only
• Avalanche safety equipment – shovel, probe and beacon – Day 2 only
• Mountaineering/Ice Axe - Day 2
• Lift pass Day 2 - (If you do not have a season pass or Epic Pass or Edge Card, you can purchase a backcountry ticket from MSAA for $45.00+tax)
• Harness
• Helmet

A Crevasse rescue kit required* (see complete list below) – both days. Kit can be rented or purchased from MSAA

Crevasse Rescue Kit:

• Locking Carabiners x 4
• Non-locking Carabiners x 4
• Sewn Sling 1 x 120cm
• Cordalette’s: 2 x 5m (7mm) for ropes 9mm and up (5mm for ropes 8mm and less, i.e. Petzl Rad Line) if using skinny ropes or Rad line, add 2 locking carabiners, stamped as opposed to round aluminum stock best.
• Cordalette 1 x 1.5m (7mm)
• Ratchet: 1 x Auto-Block Device or Ratcheting pulley (Petzl Reverso, BD ATC Guide, Petzl Micro-traxion (best)). If using micro-traxion, add 1 munter/pearshaped locking carabiner, stamped as opposed to round aluminum stock best.

Clothing:

• Warm clothing (wool/synthetic recommended)
• Warm socks (wool/synthetic recommended)
• Insulating jacket (down or similar)
• Shell jacket (Gore-tex or similar)
• Shell trousers (Gore-tex or similar)
• Warm gloves and shell gloves
• Warm Hat
• Goggles
• Backpack
• Sunscreen
• Lunch/Snacks
• Water (approx. 1-2L)
• Hot tea, coffee or hot chocolate in a thermos (optional)

Curriculum:

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to Glacier Kit and equipment check
• Situational awareness, review hazards
• Arresting the fall, holding the victim and anchor building
• Crevasse rescue system
• Incorporating a ratchet
• First raise method
• Crevasse Rescue Scenario
• Glacier morphology, physiology, terminology
• Glacier travel, rope handling, route finding & track setting
• Belaying from an anchor over a bridge
• Downhill glacier skiing safety strategy discussion

Payment:

Deposit Rule: Pay only 50% of the booking cost now to reserve your spot then pay the remainder 30 days before the course/trip start date. Select the option at checkout to redeem. 

On-line Registration process:

(1) Click “Join this trip” on the left hand side of the page. You will be added to the Waiting List

(2) Once on the Waiting List you will have access to the Course Online Payment on the left side of the page where you will find the promo code. Complete your payment directly with MSAA HERE  using the promo code. Be sure to select the right date in the drop down menu. You will receive a confirmation email from MSAA once your payment is completed.

(3) Forward your confirmation email to courses@bcmc.ca. You will then be added to the Confirmed List.

(4) Keep an eye on your email for further logistic details.

Please use the BCMC covid guidline for transporation. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact MSAA at +1 (604) 938-9242 or Oudi at courses@bcmc.ca.