Canada Backcountry Services

02/26/2025

What a talented individual. Congrats on all the success your hard work has brought you recently Trixie!

02/26/2025

Some intel about the recent avy activity.

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in most regions in western Canada. A cohesive slab of 50 to 100 cm of snow overlies a weak upper section of the snowpack, consisting of various layers of surface hoar crystals, faceted grains, and hard melt-freeze crusts. This has created a reactive avalanche pro...

12/10/2024

AvCan bringing some great observation tips to keep in your back pocket!

12/10/2024

https://canadabackcountry.ca/indigenous-mentorship-project/

To address the under representation of Indigenous Peoples in the adventure tourism and avalanche industries, Canada Backcountry Services has designed a

03/10/2024

A couple spots left for a last minute Avalanche training course in Cranbrook March 23/24.

The people asked for it, so I am adding one last class for the season. Lets get some more avalanche knowledge out there, please share with your friends. This is a snowmobile based course with the field day at Lumberton snowmobile riding area and the class session to be determined in either Cranbrook or Kimberley. 9am-5pm Sat/Sun.

03/02/2024

Oli is a talented and well respected guide. Maarsii Oli for sharing your experience and spreading the knowledge of the need for backcountry safety training.

Great Canadian Tours
Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association - CMBGA

09/30/2023

📢💥 public service announcement 📢💥

Do you know your guide’s professional qualifications? Are you properly protected from loss or injury?

Until recently the snowmobile guiding industry has had no guidelines or standards to regulate the scope of practice, required professional training or code of conduct for snowmobile guides. There has been little to no monitoring of guiding operations to ensure unqualified and uncertified snowmobile guides are not leading clients into the backcountry.

The CMBGA was formed to address these public safety concerns. In addition to providing high quality training and advice to snowmobile guides, we aim to educate the general public to better understand how to choose a qualified snowmobile guide. Below are some questions to consider asking your snowmobile guide or guiding operation before you enter the backcountry and put your life in their hands.

Do your lead guides:
✅ hold a Canadian Avalanche Association operations level 2 certification or higher?
✅ hold an 80hr+ first aid certification such as Non Urban Emergency Care Level 3, Occupational First Aid Level 3 or Wilderness First Responder?

Does your operation:
✅ have a lead guide that supervises any guides without the above listed certifications?
✅have a tenure or permit to operate commercially on crown land?
✅ have appropriate commercial liability insurance to protect clients in the event of loss or injury?
✅ have a documented avalanche safety plan?
✅ have a documented emergency response plan?

Due to the normalized non-compliance within the industry, the CMBGA recommends viewing these suggested documents and certifications prior to hiring your next snowmobile guide.