About Beyond the Boundaries

In the Kootenays we have access to and enjoy a number of recreational pursuits outside the boundaries of the local ski resorts. An increasing number of teens are joining the numbers of skiers, snowboarders, snowmobile riders and climbers that venture out beyond the boundaries into the backcountry during the winter season. A majority of these teens have been made aware of the risks and hazards involved while traveling in the backcountry but do not possess the ability to assess safe routes and avoid avalanches, they also lack the skills required to rescue a friend buried in an avalanche.

Avalanche Awareness Beyond the Boundaries is a non-profit society newly formed to provide free Avalanche Courses to youth between the ages of 13– 18 in the Kootenay region. These safety courses will follow the curriculum established by the Canadian Avalanche Association and be taught by qualified instructors. Our goal is to offer these 1 day and 3 day courses throughout the region, free of charge, to interested teens starting in the winter of 2010.

The normal charge for an Avalanche Awareness 1-day course is around $40 and the normal charge for an Avalanche Skills Training course is around $200. There was a free course last season that filled up within a number of days, proving that there is a need and interest among the target age group.

To Sign Up: Please come to the Gravity Adventures Climbing Gym on Monday, November 2, 2009 between 6-9pm. Applicants must have a Beyond the Boundaries membership and be accompanied by an adult. We will be accepting applicants on a first come, first served basis, so try to arrive early! Thank-you to those participants who signed up for this years' avalanche courses for youth!

How You Can Help: Beyond the Boundaries is in need of donations from the community locals and businesses in order to operate. We are also in need of fundraising volunteers throughout the season! Please contact Anne at anne@skiwhitewater.com or at 250.354.4944 to make a donation or to sign up for volunteering.

Please see below for course dates and remember; be safe while in the backcountry!

Course Dates

Avalanche Awareness Course (1 day course, pre-requisite for the Avalanche Skills Training Course)

• Sunday, Dec. 20th, 2009
• Sunday, Jan. 10th, 2010
• Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010
• Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010

Avalanche Skills Training Course (3-day)

• Tuesday, Dec. 29-31, 2009
• Saturday, Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2010