Empowering Students with Outdoor Safety Skills Through WimWe

Growing up in the Bow Valley means having the Rocky Mountains as a backyard, making outdoor safety an essential part of education. Through the generous support of the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation and support from Lake Louise Ski Resort and Summer Gondola (LLSR), Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) ensures that every Grade 10 student gains critical skills in wilderness survival, risk assessment, and outdoor leadership through the Wim & Nancy Pauw Wilderness Experience (WimWe). This unique program provides students with six immersive outdoor experiences, including hiking, voyageur canoeing, cross-country skiing, and certification in Avalanche Canada’s Avalanche Skills Training (AST) 1 by certified Association for Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). By participating in WimWe, students develop confidence, critical thinking, and risk management skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Before heading into the field, students first build a strong foundation in avalanche safety through classroom instruction. They complete an online course and attend an in-person session with an avalanche professional from LLSR, where they learn the science behind avalanches, risk assessment strategies, and the proper use of safety equipment. This knowledge is then applied in the field, allowing students to experience firsthand how decision-making and teamwork impact safety in real-world scenarios.

Canmore Collegiate High School (CCHS) Principal Annabel Preece highlights the value of this experience, stating, “WimWe is about more than just outdoor education. It’s about developing capable, resilient students who can think critically and make informed decisions, not just in the backcountry, but in life.”

By integrating avalanche safety training into Grade 10, CRPS ensures that students receive this essential education at a critical time. Many students at this age are beginning to explore the outdoors independently, participating in skiing, snowboarding, and backcountry travel with friends. Providing them with the knowledge to assess risks and respond to emergencies builds confidence and fosters a culture of safety within their peer groups.

Outdoor Learning Centre Coordinator Pete Prescesky shared the evolution of this program and the partnerships that have made it possible. “The support from CRPS leadership, the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation, and industry experts from LLSR has transformed what seemed like an ambitious idea into a reality. To our knowledge, no other school authority in North America provides mass AST training at this scale.”

The financial support from the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation ensures that every Grade 10 student can participate, regardless of financial background. Their contribution enables students to learn from expert instructors and train with industry-leading avalanche safety equipment. The impact of this education is evident in the students who take part. Having just completed the field component of AST 1 training, a CCHS Grade 10 student stated, "I liked learning about the different kinds of slabs, for example wind slabs, persistent or deep slabs. I didn't know there were that many or that they were that dangerous. This course will help me stay safe on my many adventures in the backcountry."

The student also shared how the course broadened their understanding of avalanche risk, adding, "I learned that avalanches can happen anywhere in the mountains and you might not be expecting them. This course will help me be safer in the backcountry and know what I need to be aware of and how I can respond if I'm ever caught in an avalanche zone. It could make a big difference in someone's life."

Banff Community High School Principal Natasha Miles also emphasized the significance of this training, stating, "This program gives our students skills that could be life-saving as they understand the risks associated with backcountry travel. The knowledge and skills they gain through WimWe will serve them well beyond their high school years, ensuring they are prepared for a lifetime of safe outdoor adventures."

Through WimWe, CRPS empowers students with the skills to navigate the outdoors safely, reinforcing a commitment to experiential learning and lifelong adventure. The lessons learned in this program don’t just prepare students for the mountains - they prepare them for life