BRP Hosting 62 Avalanche Awareness Seminars

BRP is bringing avalanche awareness 62 seminars to snowmobilers throughout North America this fall, with stops in Canada, the lower 48 in the U.S. and Alaska.

“The seminars are extremely popular with the mountain snowmobile community as they provide great information that is geared specifically to snowmobilers and their riding methods, plus they’re fun and entertaining,” says BRP. “In most cases these seminars would cost snowmobilers $50 or more to attend, but as BRP and their dealers believe strongly in their value, they sponsor the effort so it’s free to owners of all brands of sleds.”

As mountain riding continues to grow in popularity, the demand for information and training has spread further east of the Rocky Mountains. BRP is now offering seminars in Midwestern states like Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan this year. There are also more classes in western communities than last year, where the riding takes place.

The seminars, which start in early October and run through December, are usually combined with an open house or specially geared mountain riding event. Those who want to participate are encouraged to register with the host dealer.

The Canadian sessions are led by Carole Savage, the snowmobile program coordinator for the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC). The CAC provides education and public information for those seeking backcountry access. Savage is an AST 1 certified instructor, completed CAA Industry Operations Level 2 and has worked with BRP on outreach programs for four years across British Columbia and Alberta.

Mike Duffy of Avalanche 1, a recognized snowmobile expert in avalanche awareness, leads classes in the United States. Mike has American Avalanche Association Level I &II and AvPro level III certification, teaches at Colorado Mountain College and Silverton Avalanche School and has been giving snowmobile-specific avalanche classes since 1996. Mike has over 20 years of mountain riding and mountain rescue experience. This is Mike’s third year working with BRP.

In Alaska, seminars are conducted by the North America Outdoor Institute (NAOI) based in Wasilla. NOAI has certified professional instructors who are American Avalanche Association Level I, II and Professional members, AIARE certified trainers with Avalanche Level I and II, SOLO Wilderness First Aid, First Response and WEMT trainers. All instructors are long-time riders with more than 10 years of experience riding and teaching. This will be NAOI’s third season working with BRP and Ski-Doo dealers.

The Alaska dealers and the NAOI have teamed up to offer an additional full-day field workshop to those who attend the free shop seminar. These workshops normally cost $150, but are reduced to $50 for these events, courtesy of BRP and the host dealers.

For up-to-date information on locations, times or the program for avalanche awareness seminars, visit http://www.ski-doo.com/.