SKI-DOO FREE AVALANCHE AWARENESS SEMINARS Fall 2025
Valcourt, Quebec, September 4, 2025 – Ski-Doo, in conjunction with BRP’s Responsible Rider
program, is announcing its seventeenth year of free avalanche awareness seminars and invites all
winter enthusiasts to attend. BRP, and its driver brands, are committed to safe riding experiences for
riders of all snowmobiles, all skill levels and even skiers and snowboarders – and seminars like these
are a key component in that goal. Designed to help keep riders safe, the education and information
shared at these seminars is fundamental to making that happen. Backcountry Access (BCA), the
leader in avalanche safety gear, continues their strong support for the eighth year in this shared
objective. BCA’s equipment and their in-depth knowledge of backcountry safety strengthen the
curriculum and help attendees see real world solutions.
Ski-Doo and BCA strongly believe that no one should ride alone in the backcountry, so attendees are
encouraged to bring their fellow riders with them when attending a seminar. The bottom line is; if an
incident occurs, those you ride with might be the ones who need to rescue you. At many stops
attendees will experience hands on practice in using transceivers, probes and shovels.
BRP’s Responsible Rider program tackles safety initiatives across all its product lines and supports
the Ski-Doo brand in constantly renewing and advancing rider safety in the backcountry. These
seminars are constantly reviewing and updating tactics, equipment, course material and where to
find forecasts to be relevant and entertaining for today’s rider. They have reached over 27,000
snowmobilers to date, and attendees consistently voice their appreciation and their importance for
the sled community.
BCA will be providing a prize at each stop again this year along with displaying their state-of-the-art
safety products from avalanche transceivers to airbags. One lucky winner from each seminar will
receive either a BCA Tracker transceiver or BCA BC Link two-way radio.
In addition to sponsoring in-person seminars, Ski-Doo collaborated with BCA on a useful video series
which can be found in the Ski-Doo Owner Zone along with the wide ranging BCA safety videos – that
are constantly updated and available on their website to advance knowledge remotely. BCA also
introduced a new video series last year called SLEDucation that is a snowmobile-specific version of
their popular Backcountry Basics series.
About the Seminars
The Canadian sessions are led by Marshall Dempster. With 20 plus years of experience in the
avalanche and mountain rescue fields, Marshall is a professional avalanche forecaster through the
Canadian Avalanche Association. He is a lead instructor for the recreational avalanche skills training
program through Avalanche Canada. He is also a level 3 lead guide and member of the board of
directors with the Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association, the certifying body for the
snowmobile guiding community. He is excited to share his years of experience and lessons learned
in his time spent working and playing in the mountains.
The US sessions are led by Mike Duffy. As one of the most recognized snowmobile trainers in North
America, Mike Duffy of Avalanche1.com is an instructor with Silverton Avalanche School, course
provider and Pro Member of the American Avalanche Association in addition to being part of the
Working Group of Motorized Professionals. He has also taught at the American Avalanche Institute,
the Alaska Avalanche School and has trained military teams in winter mobility and avalanche
education. Currently he is lead motorized instructor at Silverton Avalanche School. Duffy has been
giving snowmobile-specific avalanche classes since 1996. As rescue team leader in the Vail
Mountain Rescue Group, he has more than 30 years of mountain riding and mountain rescue
experience. He is also a Backcountry Guide and riding instructor.
Seminars are open to all levels of experience and owners of all brands of sleds. For up-to-date
information on locations and times, or to register for a free avalanche awareness seminar, visit the
Ski-Doo website (links below – live on September 6th) or follow Ski-Doo on Facebook and Instagram.
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
FR CA: https://ski-doo.brp.com/ca/fr/decouvrir-ski-doo/evenements/seminaire-sensibilisation-avalanches.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, propulsion systems and boats built
on over 80 years of ingenuity and intensive consumer focus. Through its portfolio of industry-leading
and distinctive brands featuring Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and pontoons,
Can-Am on and off-road vehicles, Quintrex boats, Manitou pontoons and Rotax marine propulsion
systems as well as Rotax engines for karts and recreational aircraft, BRP unlocks exhilarating
adventures and provides access to experiences across different playgrounds. The Company
completes its lines of products with a dedicated parts, accessories and apparel portfolio to fully
optimize the riding experience. Committed to growing responsibly, BRP is developing electric models
for its existing product lines. Headquartered in Quebec, Canada, BRP had annual sales of CA$7.8
billion from over 130 countries and employed approximately 16,500 driven, resourceful people as of
January 31, 2025.
