Avalanches for Beginners

Join us at the Canmore Museum for a friendly, beginner-focused introduction to avalanche awareness, designed to help you better understand mountain hazards and make safer choices outdoors.

This introductory avalanche awareness evening is designed for beginners and those new to the Bow Valley’s winter backcountry. The program features a short, accessible presentation followed by time to ask questions and view the museum's current exhibit, Land of Thundering Snow.

This event is hosted by the Canmore Museum in partnership with the Sunshine Village Snow Safety Team, featuring Ryan & Eli, who bring real-world experience in snow safety and avalanche risk management.

Participants will attend a short presentation in the museum atrium covering the basics of avalanche safety, including: what avalanche terrain is, how avalanche conditions form, what snowpack is and why it matters, how and where avalanches happen, and an introduction to essential rescue gear. After the presentation, guests are invited to mingle, view the exhibit, and chat with Ryan and Eli, who will be available in the atrium for questions.

Learn directly from professional snow safety practitioners, with a focused beginner-friendly talk and the opportunity for informal Q&A in a relaxed museum setting.

Attendees will leave with information on Bow Valley resources for learning more, including what training to take, where to find introductory backcountry courses, and where to access subsidized training and gear.

Light refreshments will be provided. Please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions.

About the facilitators

Eli grew up hiking, climbing and skiing in the foothills and front ranges of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. After graduating from the Adventure Studies Program at Thompson Rivers University in 2018, he’s been pursuing a life outdoors working as a climbing guide and avalanche forecaster in the Bow Valley.

Ryan grew up in Calgary Alberta skiing the Alberta Rockies and Purcells where the passion arose for the backcountry that is so close and obtainable. To pursue the skiing and making a career he attended Selkirk college for Ski Resort Operations and management in Nelson BC. After that Ryan has worked at Panorama as a ski/ bike patroller and Sunshine village as an avalanche technician. His backcountry skiing passion has been a big part of his recent life traveling from Chile , USA to the far reaches of western Canada’s best zones.

Registration

Space is limited and advance registration is required. Canmore Museum members receive a 50% discount on ticket price. Please contact us for the promo code.

Accessibility

The Canmore Museum is wheelchair accessible. This program is recommended for teens and adults. Service animals are welcome; pets are not permitted inside the museum.

Parking/Transportation

On-street paid parking is available near the Canmore Museum, and the museum is accessible by local transit.

Photo/Media Release

Photographs and video will be taken at this event. If you do not wish to be photographed, please speak with one of our staff members or volunteers upon arrival.

Refund/Cancellation Policy: Please note that all ticket sales are final. Refunds will only be issued in the event of cancellation by the organizer.

Also check out other Sports events in Canmore, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Canmore, Workshops in Canmore.