Registration Open
CSGI Level 1 - Keefer Lake Lodge
$ 3395
Mar 29, 2025 – Apr 08, 2025
Keefer Lake, BC
To have candidates attain a basic understanding of mountain awareness and guiding principles. To become proficient with the technical and practical skills needed to work as apprentice ski guides within a mechanized backcountry operation.
Application Dates: Sep 01, 2024 – Oct 15, 2024
Prerequisites
- Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 course
- Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance Level 1 course or equivalent
- Current 80 hour First Aid Certificate
- Resume showing previous industry or related experience
- Back country ski touring resume or trip log documenting experience
Important Information
The course fee is non-refundable.
We highly recommend purchasing Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance.
Further information can be found here:
Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance for CSGI Courses.
You can obtain a quote for your course here: Trip Cancellation Insurance Link
You can also contact Acera Insurance directly if you have questions about the coverage.
Contact info: Maria Delaney 250 542 8577 [email protected]
When payment is completed you will receive an automated email receipt.
The course package will be emailed to you when payment has been received.
CSGI has made arrangements with the host lodge to provide an at-cost meal and accommodation package. Participation in the accommodation package is mandatory. The fees are typically $100 per day and are paid directly to the host lodge.
Course Resources
Evaluation Criteria
- Basic proficiency demonstrated by finding 4 transceivers buried 60 cm deep in a 30m x 30m area within ten minutes. Transceivers can be turned off. Probe targets are to be used. The targets can measure up to 30cm x 30cm.
- Demonstrate ability to build anchors, perform a lower, rappel a fixed line and ascend it.
- Understand the fundamentals of a crevasse rescue system and be able to assist in an organized rescue. To be able to demonstrate a single rope system in the field within a timed period. The timed period will be at the discretion of the instructor/examiner depending on the site.
- Understanding the fundamentals of a self rescue and be able to take charge, organize and participate in a search.
- To dig snow profiles and make observations within the time constraints of a mechanized skiing operation.
- To adequately assess significant terrain features.
- To identify hazards and hazard potential.
- To route-find through terrain identifying safe and suitable routes.
- To identify the safest routes in any given piece of terrain
- To understand the fundamentals of guest management and be able to effectively communicate directions.
- To understand the application of specialized guiding techniques.
- Document daily observations and activities for reference and liability using a blank paged field book.
- Demonstrate back-country awareness and the fundamentals of safe decision making.
- Ability to work on a team, be open to new concepts, strategies, and demonstrate good leadership qualities.
Example of Level 1 Schedule
- Arrival, 5:00pm
- Introductions and Overview
- Course Outline, Manuals, Evaluation Criteria
- Field Books (observations & info)
- Transceiver Orientation and Practice
- Helicopter Orientation
- Morning Meeting
- Navigation Basics
- IntrTour
- Navigation
- Terrain & Hazards
- Review Day
- Discussion – Snowpack Observation
- Morning Meeting
- Navigation
- Tour;
- Snowpack Observation
- Information Gathering
- Navigation
- Avalanche rescue – Demo
- Review Day
- Discussion – Decision Making 3×3
- Morning Meeting
- Rope Rescue;
- Equipment and Knots
- Anchors
- Lowers
- Ascending
- Crevasse Rescue
- Avalanche rescue
- Review Day
- Discussion – Introduction tMechanized Skiing
- Morning Meeting
- Mechanized Ski Guiding;
- Route Selection
- Guest Instruction
- Regrouping
- Avalanche Rescue
- Review Day
- Discussion – Mechanized Ski Guiding
- Morning Meeting
- Mechanized Ski Guiding / Tail Guiding;
- Route Selection
- Group Management
- Hazard Evaluation
- Review Day
- Practice Session – Skill Development
- Mid-course Evaluation
- Morning Meeting
- Ski Tour
- Terrain Assessment
- Hazard Evaluation
- Avalanche Rescue
- Review Day
- Discussion – Avalanche Case Study
- Morning Meeting
- Mechanized Ski Guiding
- Tail Guiding
- Group Management
- Client Care
- Avalanche Rescue
- Discussion – Mountain Sense
- Morning Meeting
- Rescue Practice
- Lost Skiers
- Injured Skier Evacuation
- Bivi Sac
- Toboggan
- Improvised Sled
- Review Challenging Concepts
- Morning Meeting
- Transceiver Scenario
- Rope Rescue Scenario
- Avalanche Rescue
- Review Day
- Discussion – Rescue Gear
- Course Evaluation Questionnaires
- Candidate Evaluations