Skiing the steep and deep is what snow riding at Whitewater Resort near Nelson, BC is all about. To keep skiers and riders sampling its extensive out of bounds terrain safely, the resort offers avalanche seminars and courses on an ongoing basis throughout the winter. One day avalanche awareness courses ($45) start in the classroom and then move into the backcountry, and include basic transceiver usage and how to dig and understand snowpack layers in a snowpit.

For those wishing more extensive schooling, Whitewater also conducts the three-day Recreational Avalanche Course, as recognized by the Canadian Avalanche Association. Learn about snowpack, terrain analysis, stability, safety measures and self rescue in one classroom lesson and two field sessions.  All field days are held within and adjacent to the Whitewater Ski Area Boundary. Cost is $150 plus GST.

 Whitewater also offers specialized Backcountry Touring programs, covering all aspects from the fundamentals of proper equipment use and skins to how to plan for a trip, route finding and safe travel in avalanche terrain. All levels include a lift accessed tour within the Whitewater backcountry.

www.skiwhitewater.com