The challenge, the achievement, and the wilderness helped restore my own instinctive rhythm.
Jennifer Schwartz | BC
Highlights: All inclusive, full instruction, heli access, four day educational experience within B.C.’s most beautiful backcountry
The recreational risk process course is a step beyond the standard Avalanche Canada AST 2 program. We have geared this 5-day program to the advanced recreationist and professional athlete, as well as your film crew. You will also find it indispensable if you want to progress beyond your CAA ITP 1 and enter the guiding stream. We focus on looking at the day’s objectives from the big picture trip plan. We’ll dissect large and small objectives, inject known hazards into decision-making, and learn how to implement key tools to address bias and expose uncertainties.
You will fine-tune your ability to interpret and weigh the key information from the morning weather forecast and implement those forecasting skills to models in your area. We will also help you hone your pit skills and learn how to apply the test results. Your ability to use this information is paramount in creating daily trip plans and decision points. Lastly, we will teach you how to address bias and recognize uncertainty before putting on your skins. After each field day, we will debrief and submit to the Info ex. We follow all this up with a 1-hour evening classroom session with time allotted for open discussion.
Other skills that will be completed through this course are: formulating daily route plans to be on point with timing, dealing with unwanted residual outcomes, and whiteout navigation practice if weather permits. Recommended pre-requisite for the recreational risk process is, AST 2 or ITP 1 or equivalent experience and basic first aid. We operate with a 1:5 instructor to student ratio to optimize your learning experience.
** Rates will be updated on January 1 each year and will be good for one-year term. Prices are subject to a 10% annual increase.
What's included with your tour
A 4 night stay at Ice Creek Lodge and all our lodge amenities. Build by mountain people for mountain people. Relax in our cozy custom lodge after a long day of shredding steep couloirs and powder bowls. Enjoy our wood-heated sauna and mountain-style bucket shower before settling down to amazing backcountry cuisine, good tunes, lodge magazines, board games, or your book.
New this year are 4 private bedrooms to spend your nights resting for your next big day of unbelievable turns.
- This tour includes all basic backcountry style cuisine
- We are able to cater to any dietary restrictions and/or preferences (please note that some changes to our basic meal plan may be subject to a price increase)
- We welcome you to bring your own alcohol. Please keep in mind your weight limits while you are planning your trip. Cans are lighter than bottles…. 😉
- We do have a soda stream onsite
This tour includes all helicopter transportation from our staging area in Burton, BC to Ice Creek Lodge, return flights included. We have been working with our pilot Mark Homis from High Terrain Helicopters for over 25 years. He is an incredible pilot.
Please note; any emergency evacuations will be at the cost of the client.
At Ice Creek Lodge we strive to give you the best of the best. Our community is composed of professionals who are not only hardworking and knowledgable but also simply RAD! Your instructors are all certified by the ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides), are professional members of the CAA (Canadian Avalanche Association), and have attained WSBC level III OFA certification or better. All cooks are professional with Food Safe and basic first aid.
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Tell us what interests you most about this itinerary and any changes you might like to see, including change in duration, activities, etc.
What to bring
- Touring
- Skis or snowboard with proper touring set-up
- Comfortable boots
- Skins with good glue cut to fit your skis
- Shovel, beacon, probe in good condition
- Day pack, avalanche airbag systems are optional
- Headlamp
- Spare batteries
- Sunscreen
- Repair kit – individual and to suit group needs
- Gloves and good socks
- Down jacket
- Emergency tarp, small, compact, heat reflective
- Personal first aid kit with blister repair
- Helmet
- Skis, snowboard crampons, ice axe if you have one
- Digital thermometer
- Snow study kit
- Snow saw
Layering
- Thin gloves and good quality ski socks suggested
- Base layer; thin Merino or equivalent top and bottom
- Insulating layer for colder days, lightweight Merino recommended
- Shell; waterproof, breathable top and bottom
- Hat/toque, good gloves, goggles and sunglasses, spares for the group
Group Extras (optional)
- Group VHF radios required Frequency below
- Local chat, 158.940 simplex
- Satellite phone or InReach
- Compass and Topo map, Burton 82f13, download ICL KMZ file
Cabin Stuff
- Down booties/slippers or cabin shoes
- Casual clothes
- Towel
- Wet wipes
- Entertainment/board games – we provide a small selection
- Selection of music – we have an auxiliary cable to our bluetooth stereo
- We have a selection of guitars, a hand drum and a ukulele
Our guides
Our guides are all certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, are professional members of the Canadian Avalanche Association, and are WSBC level III OFA certified.
Planning a winter trip
Preparing for a winter tour at Ice Creek Lodge.