AvCan Webinars

Join us for our free webinar series.
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Webinars are back for the 2024-2025 season!

Our popular free webinar series is back for another winter. This season, we have a variety of presentations on a wide selection of topics with something for everyone.

Pre-registration is required and you can use the links below to sign up. All sessions are recorded and uploaded here, so you don't need to miss out if you can't make it.

Schedule

Wed. Nov. 20: Being Stuck Sucks. Getting stuck happens to us all, but did you know it's often a factor in avalanche accidents? Join Avalanche Canada and the Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association as we discuss the dos and don'ts of handling this situation, and how to keep both you and your other group members safe. Sponsored by BCA.

Wed. Dec. 4: A Winter Hiker's Guide to Avalanche Safety. Are you a hiker, runner or snowshoer that loves to head out in the winter? In this session, we bring in experts from Parks Canada, Kananaskis Country, BC Parks, and Avalanche Canada to discuss avalanche "hot spots" in each region and provide tips on staying safe this winter. Sponsored by MEC.

Wed. Dec. 18: History Repeats. Do you like to ski out-of-bounds at the ski hills? Have you ever been tempted to go into a closed area? This presentation takes a look at defining those areas, looking at incident frequency and delving into two case histories, resulting in tragic fatalities. There is always more to learn, and it's important to exercise your discipline. Sponsored by Outdoor Research.

Wed. Jan. 8: Choosing Terrain for Skiers. Join us in this interactive webinar to learn more about choosing terrain for the conditions. There's a common expression: "when snowpack is the problem, terrain is the solution." Our AvCan forecaster will lead you through a series of exercises to help you hone this essential skill for traveling safely in the backcountry. Sponsored by Arc'teryx.

Wed. Jan. 22: Consider It! The majority of fatal avalanche incidents occur when danger is rated Considerable. Join our AvCan forecaster as we explore the nuances of the North American Avalanche Danger Rating system, explain why Considerable avalanche danger is so often underestimated and show how to consider all the variables to promote good decision-making. Sponsored by The North Face.

Wed. Feb. 5: Where to Ride? Find out how to choose the right terrain for conditions and make the most of your day snowmobiling in the mountains. Sponsored by ISMA.

Wed. Feb. 19: Low Probability/High Consequence. Deep persistent layers can be the sleeping dragon. When they go, they go big. Join our AvCan forecaster to learn more about these low-probability, high-consequence scenarios and how to adapt your decision-making, route finding, and terrain selection. Sponsored by Garmin.

Wed. March 5: Managing March. Historically, we have the highest number of avalanche fatalities in March. What March will bring us this season is still an unknown, but there is often some issue to bring to the fore. Join us to find out what to keep an eye out for this spring.

Missed a webinar? Catch up here:

Wed. Nov. 6: Companion Rescue Primer. Good companion rescue skills save lives! Join us to learn about the essential gear required when you had into the backcountry, how to use it, and why it's important to keep your skills razor-sharp. Now is the time to get your head back into the game before heading into avalanche terrain. Sponsored by Mammut.

Wed. Oct. 30: Recognizing Avalanche Terrain and Trip Preparedness. Are you new to the backcountry or looking for a refresher? This presentation focuses on the basics of recognizing avalanche terrain, what equipment is needed, and what resources are available to help you. We will also cover trip planning and preparedness with a presentation from BC AdventureSmart. Start your season off right! Sponsored by MEC.

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