Learning outcomes grounded in real experience.
Students build capacity in three key areas:
- Leadership and Decision-Making: Strengthen situational judgment and group collaboration through route planning, terrain evaluation, and backcountry travel
- Winter Travel and Risk Management: Learn best practices in avalanche safety, functional fitness, emergency response, and the use of personal safety technology
- Career Awareness and Personal Growth: Explore career opportunities and reflect on personal values, teamwork, and self-leadership
Activities that challenge and inspire.
Students take part in a wide range of experiential activities directly connected to course outcomes:
- Avalanche Skills Training Level 1
- Terrain analysis and assessment using Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES)
- Avalanche bulletin interpretation and safety planning
- Route finding and emergency response scenarios
- Navigation and outdoor leadership skills
- Functional fitness and nutrition for winter travel
- Reflection journals, group discussion and self-assessment
- Mentorship and interaction with professionals in the outdoor sector
A safe, supportive and fully supervised environment.
Lake Louise Ski Resort risk management policies and procedures will be reviewed and are to be followed by all Winter Travel 25 participants. Participants will be skiing / snowboarding on in-bounds controlled runs only. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing activities take place on designated trails listed by Parks Canada.
All areas visited on course have been selected in consultation with Parks Canada Visitor Safety staff to ensure terrain access guidelines are being followed and have been visited and pre-assessed by OLC teachers. All equipment used during the course is checked and maintained regularly to ensure it is proper working order. Special Note: Students are able to bring their own downhill skiing or snowboarding equipment provided that it is in good working order or can rent downhill skiing or snowboarding equipment from Lake Louise Ski Resort.
All field experiences are led by certified CRPS teachers with Wilderness First Aid, supported by professional partners including Parks Canada staff, CSIA ski instructors, Lake Louise Ski Patrol, Canadian Avalanche Association instructors, and certified mountain guides.
The winter environment can present challenges with outdoor activity and cold temperatures. Winter gear lists will be issued to students prior to the course and will be checked upon arrival. Extra clothing and gear will be on hand for students to borrow in case of inadequate preparation. Students will be briefed thoroughly on the appropriate dress and layering technique for outdoor winter clothing. Outdoor activity will be closely monitored during cold temperatures with a cut off temperature of -25 C with windchill.
Transportation to and from the course start and end locations are the responsibility of the visiting school or student unless arranged otherwise. The Canadian Rockies Public Schools manages all transportation from the Outdoor Learning Centre to all activity venues.
A full learning journey.
Students must complete all online coursework before arrival. A laptop is required. Coursework is submitted through Google Classroom and includes pre-course assignments, reflection journals and post-course activities. Online coursework is weighted at 60 percent of the final grade. In-person participation and assignments make up the remaining 40 percent. Final marks are submitted to Alberta Education and available on myPass.
More than a course. A path to purpose and potential.
Winter Travel 25 offers students a powerful next step in their outdoor learning journey. It deepens practical skills, strengthens leadership and encourages youth to see themselves as caretakers of wild places and capable contributors to their communities. Students leave with new knowledge, career inspiration and a deeper understanding of who they are — and who they can become.
Advance learning through challenge and discovery.
Winter Travel 25 builds on foundational skills to offer students an unforgettable next step in their outdoor education journey. Through meaningful experiences in real mountain environments, youth develop leadership, confidence and the capacity to navigate complexity with care and awareness. This program strengthens curriculum connections, prepares students for future pathways and supports learning that lasts well beyond the classroom.
Connect with our team to book your program now. Outdoor leadership begins here.
