BRP Offers Free Avalanche Awareness Courses

Looking to keep mountain snowmobilers safe and healthy, BRP is offering free avalanche awareness courses across the United States and Canada this fall.

Starting in September and running through November, snowmobilers will be able to attend an avalanche awareness course at 21 Ski-Doo dealerships in Canada, 28 in the lower 48 United States and five in Alaska. The courses are unique in that they are snowmobile focused and led by qualified snowmobilers from a perspective that informs, entertains and engages the audience. Most sessions will be combined with in-store special events and are open to owners of all snowmobile brands.

“We are partnering with some of the best resources for addressing avalanche awareness in North America to further educate the mountain snowmobiling community” says Philippe Normand, marketing director, Ski-Doo snowmobiles. “These instructors have the credentials and experience both in the field and classroom to deliver a message that resonates with snowmobilers.”

The Canadian sessions are led by Carole Savage, the snowmobile program coordinator for the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC). The CAC is world renowned for providing quality education and public information for those seeking back-country access. Carole is AST 2 certified and has been working with BRP on outreach programs for three years across British Columbia and Alberta.

Classes conducted in the western United States are led by Mike Duffy of Avalanche 1, a recognized snowmobile expert in avalanche awareness. Mike is an American Avalanche Association Level I, Level II and AVPRO Level III qualified instructor. He teaches at Colorado Mountain College and has been involved in snowmobile specific avalanche awareness courses since 2005.

In Alaska seminars are conducted by the North America Outdoor Institute (NAOI) based in Wasilla, Alaska. 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 experience riding and teaching. This will be NAOI’s second season working with BRP and Ski-Doo dealers.

For more information on the program or the schedule for avalanche awareness courses, visit http://www.ski-doo.com/.