Valcourt, QC - BRP is adding to its already strong leadership role in avalanche awareness and safety by bringing 62 seminars to snowmobilers throughout North America this fall, with stops in Canada, the lower 48 in the U.S. and Alaska.
The seminars are extremely popular with the mountain snowmobile community as they provide great information that is geared specifically to snowmobilers and their riding methods, plus they're fun and entertaining. In most cases these seminars would cost snowmobilers $50 or more to attend, but as BRP and their dealers believe strongly in their value, they sponsor the effort so it's free to owners of all brands of sleds.
As mountain riding continues to grow in popularity, the demand for information and training has spread further east of the Rocky Mountains, and in response, BRP is answering the need with seminars in Midwestern states like Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan this year. There are also more classes in western communities than last year, where the riding takes place.
BRP has again aligned with some of the best resources in North America to provide free avalanche awareness education to the mountain snowmobile community this fall. The seminars are fun and informative because BRP's partner instructors are true riders and professionals in their field. They deliver a message that snowmobilers understand and appreciate.
The seminars, which start in early October and run through December, are usually combined with an open house or specially geared mountain riding event. Those who want to participate are encouraged to register with the host dealer so appropriate planning for space and chairs (and many times refreshments) can happen.
The Canadian sessions are led by Carole Savage, the snowmobile program coordinator for the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC). The CAC is world-renowned for providing quality education and public information for those seeking backcountry access. Savage is an AST 1 certified instructor, completed CAA Industry Operations Level 2 and has worked with BRP on outreach programs for four years across British Columbia and Alberta.
Mike Duffy of Avalanche 1, a recognized snowmobile expert in avalanche awareness, leads classes in the United States. Duffy has American Avalanche Association Level I & II and AvPro level III certification, teaches at Colorado Mountain College and Silverton Avalanche School and has given snowmobile-specific avalanche classes since 1996.
Duffy has more than 20 years of mountain riding and mountain rescue experience. This is his third year working with BRP.
In Alaska, seminars are conducted by the North America Outdoor Institute (NAOI) based in Wasilla, AK. NOAI has certified professional instructors who are American Avalanche Association Level I, II and Professional members, AIARE certified trainers with Avalanche Level I and II, SOLO Wilderness First Aid, First Response and WEMT trainers. All instructors are long-time riders with more than 10 years of experience riding and teaching. This will be NAOI's third season working with BRP and Ski-Doo dealers.
SPECIAL ADDITION - The Alaska dealers and the NAOI have teamed up to offer an additional full-day field workshop to those who attend the free shop seminar. These workshops, taught by professional instructors, provide fast-paced and fun hands-on skills training in the mountains where snowmobilers ride and play. The cost is normally $150, but is reduced to $50 for these events, courtesy of BRP and the host dealers.
For up-to-date information on locations, times or the program for avalanche awareness seminars, visit www.ski-doo.com, the Ski-Doo Elevation Mountain Blog or Ski-Doo Mountain Facebook page.
Canadian Avalanche Awareness Seminar Schedule
October 11 Lethbridge, AB New Way Motorsports
October 15 Brooks, AB A & E Racing and Marine
October 16 Calgary, AB Bow Cycle North
October 17 Red Deer, AB Turple Brothers
October 21 Edson, AB Riderz
October 22 Grand Prairie, AB Stojan's Power Sports and Marine
October 23 Edmonton, AB Martin Motor Sports - west side store
October 24 Bonnyville, AB Power Merchants
October 25 Edmonton, AB Martin Motor Sports - south side store
October 28 St. Albert, AB Riverside Honda & Ski-Doo
October 29 North Battleford, SK Norsask Farm Equipment Ltd.
October 30 Prince Albert, SK Pines PSM
October 31 Saskatoon, SK FFun Motorsports
November 12 Courtenay, BC Courtenay Motorsports
November 14 Chilliwack, BC Greater Vancouver Powersports
November 15 Surrey, BC Greater Vancouver Powersports
November 18 Kelowna, BC Banner Recreation & Marine
November 19 Golden, BC Motor Tech Ent.
November 20 Kamloops, BC RTR Performance, Inc.
November 21 Prince George, AB Forest Power Sports
November 22 Dawson Creek, BC Trail Blazin' Power
November 23 Fort St. John, BC Trail Blazin' Power
U.S. Lower 48 Avalanche Awareness Seminar Schedule
October 2 Casper, WY Driven Powersports Inc
October 3 Gillette, WY Action Motorsports Inc
October 8 Mason City, IA House of Sports
October 9 Sheldon, IA Glen's Sports Center
October 10 Toronto, SD Roelofsen Implement, Inc.
October 11 Madison, SD Interlakes Sports Center
October 15 Issaquah, WA I-90 Motorsports
October 16 Wenatchee, WA Wenatchee Honda
October 17 Enumclaw, WA Enumclaw Suzuki Kawasaki Yamaha
October 18 Bend, OR Pro Caliber Motorsports
October 19 Portland, OR SK Northwest Inc.
October 22 Pinehurst, ID Valley Powersports LLC
October 23 Kalispell, MT Jesco Marine & Power Sports
October 24 Great Falls, MT Addictive Powersports
October 26 Loveland, CO Felker Motorsports
October 29 Durango, CO Fun Center Inc.
October 30 Steamboat, CO Steamboat Powersports
November 2 Novi, MI Snowmobiles USA Show
November 5 Kamas, UT Weller Recreation Inc
November 6 Brigham City, UT Frank May Ski-Doo & ATV Inc
November 7 Provo, UT Provo Ski-Doo
November 8 McCall, ID Mile High Powersports
November 12 Granby, CO Powerworld LLC
November 13 Island Park, ID Island Park Adventures
November 14 Rexburg, ID Rexburg Motor Sports
November 19 Rapid City, SD Rice Honda Suzuki
November 20 Mandan, ND Moritz Sport & Marine
December 3 Kalamazoo, MI Leader's Marine
December 4 Johnson Creek, WI Rob's Performance Motorsports
December 5 Madison, WI Engelhart Inc.
December 12 Montrose, CO Montrose Implement
December 17 Brooklyn Center, MN Marriott Northwest (Twin Cities dealers)
December 19 Alexandria, MN Ollie's Service
U.S. Alaska Avalanche Awareness Schedule
October 12 Wasilla, AK Valley CC, Inc.
October 18 Anchorage, AK Alaska Mining and Diving Supply
October 19 Soldotna, AK River and Sea Marine
October 19 Eagle River, AK Team CC, Inc.
October 26 Fairbanks, AK Compeau's Inc