Vancouver Island Avalanche Centre "Ride Along" program

Just as the RCMP have an educational program which allows people to "ride along" with the police as they work, the Vancouver Island Avalanche Center is giving the public opportunities to join avalanche forecasters as they head into the mountains on field days to collect data for the bulletins. These days are designed for people who have done at minimum an AST1 course and are working toward higher level training in either the recreational or professional avalanche training streams. These days could also be counted as apprenticeship days for those who have a CAA ITP level one certification and are working toward doing the level two.

What you get:

• a focused, practical learning experience with a professional avalanche forecaster at work,
• a fun day of ski touring with a pro,
• apprenticeship days toward recreational or professional level certification.

Prerequisites for participation in the ride along program:

• minimum of AST1 certification,
• physically fit and equipped to travel quickly on the snow (Alpine touring, Telemark or Split boards only please, no snowshoes),
• companion rescue test (understand basics steps of companion rescue, find one transceiver in under five minutes, proper probing and shoveling technique).

What the Vancouver Island Avalanche Centre Society asks of participants in exchange for a day of focused learning and fun mountain travel is a minimum contribution of $100 to the society. Donations help the society continue it's work of providing avalanche safety information to the public through the delivery of the Vancouver Island Avalanche Bulletin.

How to participate:

Email the bulletin's lead forecaster at forecaster@islandavalanchebulletin.com. If you meet all the prerequisites we will put you on a list of people who will be contacted when ride along opportunities come up.