Riding untamed drifts of deep, untouched powder is the Holy Grail for most skiing/snowboarding enthusiasts. Canada’s Rocky Mountains are known for huge annual snowfalls, great powder-producing conditions and long seasons. Surrounded by some of the most breath-taking scenery in the world, the iconic Fairmont Château Lake Louise**** is nestled in a secluded location deep within Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Château is enveloped by soaring mountain peaks, the majestic Victoria Glacier and a glistening emerald lake with the natural beauty of this destination permeating every nook of the historic resort.

With 139km/87miles of slopes, Lake Louise is one of the largest ski areas in the Rocky Mountains (1646m - 2637m / 5,400ft - 8,650ft) and the first Downhill race of the annual FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup circuit.

The unique layout allows families and groups of varying abilities to ski together; there are beginner, intermediate and expert runs down from every chair. Beginners and intermediate skiers have access to an abundance of gentle slopes and long cruising runs. Experts can explore endless powder chutes, glades, gullies and remote bowls in some of the Rockies’ most challenging terrain.

VetPD has combined an exhilarating 5-day Powder Event combining a total of 5 days of skiing/snowboarding/alternative outdoor activities, cutting-edge lectures / case discussions and practical sessions / wetlabs on on live dogs & specimens for attendees to choose from. This will provide attendees with a total of 20 hrs of CE (RACE approval pending). The following internationally renowned speakers will be responsible for the lectures/wetlabs that are aimed at experienced general and advanced practitioners: Dr. Ross Palmer, DACVS (Colorado State University), Dr. Bobbi Conner DACVECC (University of Florida) & Dr. Ryan King DACVR (Tufts University).

From Sunday – Wednesday attendees can choose from two streams of lectures between 7.00 - 9.00am, which will be followed by skiing/snowboarding/alternative outdoor activities between 9.00am - 4.00pm. Every day there will be a Powder Happy Hour between 3.30 - 4.00pm as a preamble to the two streams of lectures and wetlabs that will unfold between 4.00 - 7.00pm. Evenings will be reserved for leisurely wining and dining, to meet up with old friends and to make new ones.

During the event open and frank discussions are encouraged and the speakers will share helpful tips & tricks and their personal experiences with attendees, be it successes or failures. There will be plenty of opportunities to discuss diagnostic/therapeutic strategies and cases with the speakers during the lectures or the dedicated case discussions.

The practical sessions will give attendees plenty of opportunity to put theory into practice on live horses in small groups, all under the supervision of the specialists.

LECTURES

Fractur Treatment in General Practice
Point of Care Fast Ultrasound
Thoracic Radiography
Cruciate Ligament Disease & Extracapsular Suture Stifle Stabilization
Abdominal Ultrasound
Emergency & Critical Care
Abdominal Radiography
Orthopedics
Interactive Emergency & Critical Care Case-Discussions
Interactive Ultrasound & Radiography Case-Discussions
WETLABS / PRACTICAL SESSIONS*

Point of Care Fast Ultrasound
The Complete Abdominal Ultrasound Exam
Emergency & Critical Care Procedures
Extracapsular Lat. Suture Stabilization of the Stifle
* Subject to minimum number of wetlab participants. The limited wetlab spaces are charged separately and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

The event will finish on Thursday morning, allowing attendees to fit in a 5th day of skiing before flying out from Calgary in the evening.

Alternative Outdoor Activities on offer include:

Backcountry Off-Piste Excursions
Heliskiing
Cross-Country Skiing
Ice Skating / Hockey
Snowshoeing
Snowmobiling
Snow Trekking / Winter Hiking
Dog sledding in Banff National Park
Sleigh rides
Sledding, Tobogganing & Tubing
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Horse Back Excursions
Ice Climbing/Walking
Ice Fishing
Winter Paragliding
The event fee includes 5 nights of accommodation, half-board (breakfast & dinner, incl. one soft drink per meal), lecture refreshments, daily Powder Happy Hour incl. alcoholic drinks, transfers to and from the ski slopes, all lecture attendance. The event fee does not include wetlab attendance, ski pass, costs for alternative outdoor activities, airport transfers or flights. Attendees can choose to stay in a single room or can share a room with another attendee at a reduced price. Vets are also welcome to attend the event with a partner/guest (special guest price available). Early event registration is recommended as there are only a limited number of places. If attendees wish to extend their stay, contact office@vetpd.com for prices.