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RECALL - Black Diamond issues a safety Recall for Vision Harness

CSGI Level 1 - Whistler, BC

$ 3395

Whistler, BC

2025 Whistler course dates will be confirmed in June 2025.  Applications for the 2025 course will be open July 1-31, 2025.

Course description: 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: Jul 01, 2025 – Jul 31, 2025

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 Notes

All CSGI course deposits and course fees are non-refundable, and are not transferable to future courses.

Please consider insurance coverage in the event that an injury or other unexpected event prevents you from attending the course.

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 and access to download the course materials.

*NEW – Accommodation Package:

All CSGI courses have additional fees associated with accommodation and food.

For the Whistler Level 1 course, an accommodation package is provided by Journeyman Lodge.  The additional lodge, transfer, and park fee associated with the course is $750 per student.   All students must participate in the accommodation package.  Students will spend 4 days, 3 nights at the Journeyman lodge.  Mechanized (snowcat) transfer from the staging area up to the lodge will be provided for students and gear. Meals will be provided with exception of lunch on arrival day.  This package has been arranged to allow more field time, more practice time, and more direct time with the instructors and fellow candidates.

Students will need to arrange their own accommodation and meals for the rest of the course.  (Exact dates to be confirmed.)

 

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