Be more competent in the mountains, take a course!
As a participant on section trips and camps we all have the responsibility to be educated in mountain safety and proper climbing/skiing techniques. The Calgary Section wants to promote safe and enjoyable mountain experiences for all members and the Training and Leadership Committee assembles an assortment of courses throughout the year relevant to the respective season. The committee is dedicated to organizing as many courses as there is demand. See the event calendar for upcoming courses.
The Section has a number of course providers that offer their regularly scheduled courses at a discounted rate for section members. A variety of courses are offered through Custom Outdoor Experience Guiding, Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicineand Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. Take advantage of the savings and the opportunity to develop your skills on a course with like-minded people in the Calgary Section. You register directly through the respective companies, but will be asked for your membership number, so ensure that you have it handy.
In addition there are several opportunities for active Section leaders to apply to participate in unique Alpine Club of Canada leadership courses. If you have been active as a leader and/or volunteer in the Calgary Section then this is your chance to hone your skills with the help of world-class guides in a world-class setting! See below for more details.
The North Face Course (TNF)
Amateur Leaders are the backbone of the Alpine Club – providing beginner, intermediate, and advanced trips to other members, and allowing Sections to boast broad and varied trip schedules.
With the support of The North Face, each year we run summer and winter training courses for amateur leaders from across the country in recognition of the tireless work these volunteers do and their need for high quality training. The main goal of the course is to help members who are already leading trips become better, stronger, and safer leaders for the Sections and for National Camps.
The course cost varies each year (about $1000.00) and is subsidized by The North Face and the Alpine Club of Canada and a commitment for a return to the Club in volunteer energy will be sought from all members who attend. Participants are required to be endorsed by their ACC Section. In addition the Calgary Section provides a subsidy of half of the course cost to selected participants making the final cost truly exceptional value for such a first rate course.
The main goal of the course is to help members who are already leading trips become better, stronger, and safer leaders for the Sections and for National Camps. The course will cover a broad range of hard and soft leadership skills with the focus on the following:
- planning and management of ski trips and traverses;
- snow safety and terrain evaluation;
- route planning, selection and finding;
- decision making in avalanche terrain;
- glacier travel and navigation;
- crevasse rescue systems;
- group dynamics, interaction and management; and
- emergency situation management.
The goals of this course will be to identify and exercise key skill sets for mountain leadership situations. This course is set in the midst of one of the most demanding places amateur leaders can find themselves. Seven days of adventure, planning, and practice will develop each individual’s capabilities covering a broad range of hard and soft leadership skills.
Please email the Training and Leadership Chair training.leadership@acccalgary.ca with your submission of the complete application information.
Winter Leadership
Dates: February 2017
Location: Based out of the Lake Louise Alpine Centre
Deadline: to apply to the Calgary Section for endorsement and/or funding for the Winter TNF is two weeks prior to the National submission deadline.
Details: TNF Winter Leadership Program
The focus of this course will be to identify and exercise key skill sets for winter mountain leadership situations. This course is set in the midst of one of the most demanding places amateur leaders can find themselves. Seven days of adventure, planning, and practice will develop each individual’s capabilities covering a broad range of hard and soft leadership skills.
Summer Leadership
Dates: July 2017
Location: Based out of the General Mountaineering Camp (GMC);
Deadline: To apply to the Calgary Section for endorsement and/or funding for Summer 2017 TNF is two weeks prior to the National submission deadline.
Details: TNF Summer Leadership Program
The focus of this course will be to identify and exercise key skill sets for summer mountain leadership situations. This course is set in the midst of one of the most demanding places amateur leaders can find themselves. Eight days of adventure, planning, and practice will develop each individual’s capabilities covering a broad range of hard and soft leadership skills.