Ski-Doo Celebrates 18 Years of Free Avalanche
Valcourt, Quebec, September 23, 2026 – Ski-Doo, through BRP’s Responsible Rider program,
in partnership with Backcountry Access (BCA), is proud to announce its eighteenth year of free
Avalanche Awareness Seminars and invites snowmobilers, winter adventurers, and their riding
partners to join the team for another season of lifesaving education. More than 35 free seminars
will be held across Canada and the United States, all riders are invited to attend because safety
is a shared responsibility.
Whether for riders that are new to the mountains or those that have years of backcountry
experience, these seminars offer valuable knowledge that could make all the difference when
conditions change. More importantly, they’re designed not just for the rider, but for everyone
that’s part of the ride.
Bring friends. Bring family. Bring the riding group.
When in avalanche terrain, riding partners are the first responders. The people immediately onsite
beside are the ones most likely to save a life in an emergency. That’s why Ski-Doo strongly
encourages attendees to bring those they share the mountains with. Avalanche awareness is
most effective when everyone in the group understands the risks, recognizes warning signs,
and knows how to respond when seconds count.
For nearly two decades, these seminars have helped riders make better decisions in the
backcountry through practical, up-to-date education covering avalanche awareness, route
planning, rescue techniques, safety equipment and forecast resources, while encouraging
participants to pursue additional avalanche training. More than 30,000 snowmobilers have
attended to date, making this one of the longest-running and most trusted avalanche education
programs in the snowmobile industry.
Supporting the program for a ninth consecutive year is Backcountry Access (BCA), a leader in
avalanche safety equipment and education. Their expertise, real-world experience, and
innovative safety products continue to strengthen the seminar curriculum while helping riders
understand how preparation and proper equipment work together to improve outcomes in the
mountains.
The seminar content continues to evolve each year, reflecting modern riding styles, new
technologies, current avalanche forecasting tools, and the latest best practices in backcountry
travel. Sessions are informative, engaging, and designed specifically for today’s snowmobiler.
Many seminar locations will include hands-on opportunities to practice with avalanche
transceivers, probes, and shovels, helping attendees build confidence with the equipment they
may one day depend on.
Win Valuable Safety Gear
BCA will once again provide prizes at every seminar stop while showcasing its latest avalanche
safety products, including transceivers, airbags, radios, and rescue equipment.
Attendees at each seminar could win either a BCA Tracker avalanche transceiver, probe and
shovel or a pair of BCA BC Link two-way radios, helping riders build the gear kit every
backcountry group should carry.
Learn Beyond the Seminar
In addition to sponsoring the in-person series, Ski-Doo and BCA continue to expand access to
avalanche education through a collection of online learning resources. Riders can access
avalanche safety content through the Ski-Doo Owner Zone, alongside BCA’s extensive library of
educational videos and the snowmobile-specific SLEDucation series, created to help riders
sharpen their knowledge throughout the season.
Learn From Industry-Leading Experts
Canadian seminars will be led by Marshall Dempster, a professional avalanche forecaster,
lead Avalanche Canada instructor, Level 3 lead guide, and board member of the Canadian
Motorized Backcountry Guides Association. Drawing on more than two decades of avalanche
forecasting, rescue, guiding, and backcountry experience, Dempster brings practical, real-world
insight that resonates with riders of all experience levels.
U.S. seminars will be presented by Mike Duffy, one of North America’s most respected
snowmobile avalanche educators. With more than 30 years of mountain riding and rescue
experience, Duffy has trained recreational riders, guides, rescue teams, and military personnel
throughout his career.
Open to All Riders
The Avalanche Awareness Seminars are free to attend, open to all experience levels, and
welcome riders of every snowmobile brand.
For locations, dates, and registration information, visit the Ski-Doo website or follow Ski-Doo on
Facebook and Instagram for updates.
Ride prepared. Ride informed. Ride together.
US: https://ski-doo.brp.com/us/en/discover-ski-doo/events/avalanche-awareness-seminars.html
CA: https://ski-doo.brp.com/ca/en/discover-ski-doo/events/avalanche-awareness-seminars.html
Participants are encouraged to register with the host dealer so they can plan meeting space
accordingly and ensure a spot.
About Backcountry Access
Backcountry Access (BCA) is a leading manufacturer of snow safety equipment, including BCA
Tracker™ avalanche transceivers, Float™ avalanche airbags, BC Link=™ radios, MtnPro
snowmobile gear, Stash™ backpacks, avalanche probes and shovels. BCA’s mission is to save
lives, not just sell products. BCA considers education to be as important as its equipment and
delivers all its products with consumer education and knowledgeable customer service. BCA is
North America’s most trusted name in backcountry safety.
About BRP
BRP Inc. is a global leader in the world of powersports products and powertrains, built on over 80
years of ingenuity, innovation, and intensive consumer focus. Through its portfolio of industryleading
and distinctive brands featuring Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and
pontoons, Can-Am on- and off-road vehicles, Quintrex boats as well as Rotax engines for karts,
recreational aircraft and jet boats, BRP unlocks exhilarating adventures and provides access to
experiences across different playgrounds. The Company completes its product lines with a
dedicated parts, accessories and apparel portfolio to fully optimize the riding experience.
Headquartered in Quebec, Canada, BRP had annual sales of CA$8.4 billion from over 110
countries and employed close to 17,000 driven, resourceful people as of January 31, 2026.
www.brp.com
@BRPNews
Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Can-Am, Rotax, Manitou, Quintrex, and the BRP logo are trademarks
of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
