December 16 – 21 2025
6 Days / 5 Nights
Heli-Access Backcountry Education & Touring
This immersive early-season course is designed for backcountry skiers and splitboarders who want to tune up their avalanche skills, dial in daily routines for successful backcountry trips, and get off to a good, safe start to the season.
Led by two ACMG-certified guides, this 6-day heli-access lodge-based program offers a relaxed but highly practical learning environment tailored to your experience and goals. It’s not a rigid AST 2 course, it’s a flexible, mentor-style setting where we focus on what you want to work on, from weather/avalanche forecasting to companion rescue to solid group travel habits.
What You’ll Learn & Practice
● Establishing a solid daily routine for weather checks, bulletin interpretation, and trip planning
● Companion rescue refreshers (and best practices for real-world scenarios)
● Snowpack study – reading the early season layers that will be the base for the seasons snowpack
● Group management, safe travel techniques, terrain choice discussions
● Student-led decision-making days with guide support
● Evening fireside chats and informal presentations on avalanche topics
Daily Rhythm
● Morning coffee/tea provided
● Group forecast/avalanche hazard meetings
● Full field days with a mix of guided and student-led tours
● Après and day trip reflections at the lodge
● Evenings with fireside chats, presentations, and time to relax
● Enjoy the sauna, hot bucket shower, and fully outfitted backcountry lodge comforts
Who’s It For?
● Experienced backcountry skiers and splitboarders looking to refresh avalanche skills
● Riders wanting a safe early-season warm-up with professional guidance
● Anyone keen to sharpen discipline, planning habits, and group management
What’s Included
● Helicopter flight in and out
● 5 nights accomodation at Mount Carlyle Lodge
● All dinners, plus morning coffee and tea
● Sauna, bedding, hot shower with provided soaps/shampoo
● 2 ACMG-certified guides delivering instruction and mentorship
● Flexible curriculum tailored to participant interests
* Students bring their own breakfasts and lunch/snack supplies. *
Pricing
● Early Bird: $1895 CAD (until Sept 30th])
● Regular: $2100 CAD
● $500 Deposit required to secure spot, full payment due November 1st. Payments can be made by e-transfer to reservations@kmhbc.com
Space is limited to maintain small group ratios (10 spots available at 5:1 students per instructor).
