AST 1 + Ski Touring Skills
Your First Step to Accessing the Backcountry
- Do you want to ski in the backcountry?
- Do you have intermediate or higher ski ability?
- Do you like learning in a group setting?
Then yes!
This course is for anyone who wants to make sure they are taking the appropriate steps to make smart decisions in the backcountry and the touring skills to access and ski the backcountry.
Courses available every weekend from mid-November to mid-March with mid-week courses now running every Wednesday-Thursday as well!
Women's only courses: November 30/December 1, January 8/9 and January 25/26.
The Goods
Length: 2.5 Days**
Location: Whistler, BC.
Prerequisites: Ability to hike up hill for 3 hours and advance ski ability (black diamond runs)
Highlight Skills: Companion rescue, snow assessment, group management and use of ski touring gear
Season: Scheduled Dates All Winter
Max. Guest to Guide Ratio: 8:1
Price: Starting at $289
**2 hour online learning component must be completed prior to the first field day!
Itinerary
Day 0.5
Pre-evening sessions will be held on the Friday evening prior to the course dates from 7-9pm at the Meeting Space at Summit Lodge . After January 24, all evening sessions will be replaced with the online curriculum.
Online curriculum to be completed prior to the course. Takes aproximately 2 hours. Location: Anywhere!
Day 1
8:00 am - Morning Session in Whistler Village
9:00 am - Whistler Backcountry Field Session
Day 2
8:00 am - Morning Session in Whistler Village
9:00 am - Whistler Backcountry Field Session
Is This for You
The AST 1+ course is for skiers who have no, or limited, backcountry experience. The ability to ski black diamond runs in powder conditions is required to participate in this course.
- Good Ski or Boarding Ability (ability to ski/ride black diamond runs just barely)
- Basic Understanding of Gear (have put it all together and tested on a hill at least once)
- Moderate Fitness - Can Hike 2 to 3 hours/day
What You Will Learn
Participants will learn the basic skills of avalanche phenomena, assessment and avoidance in addition to the ski touring skills to access the backcountry. This course covers the two pillars of safe and efficient backcountry travel:
Avalanche Skills Training
- Understand the basics of avalanche formation and release
- Identify avalanche terrain
- Pre trip planning
- Use of the Avaluator decision-making system
- Using public avalanche bulletins
- Travel in avalanche terrain (uphill and down)
- Companion rescue
Ski Touring Training
- Utilize your backcountry equipment properly
- Read a map, compass
- Assess terrain for easiest and safest route of ascent
- Identify mountain and snowpack areas of concern
- Efficient up tracking through simple and challenging terrain
- Group management ascending and descending
- Navigation
Completed the 2.5 Day AST 1+ course and Altus could not have been better. Great communication prior to our course, very informative during the weekend and great staff. Scott was our Pro for the weekend and he was able to share his experiences and convey great lessons throughout the entire time. Great balance of 'classroom' and practical/ hands-on learning. 100% recommended for anyone whom is looking to start getting into Backcountry skiing. A+.
- Derek F
I have now done 2 courses with Altus and had the best experience at both. Most recently I completed the AST1+ course with Brett and could not speak more highly of him. He was very knowledgeable, patient and his passion for the mountains was infectious. We learned a ton and had the best time doing so. Thanks Altus
- Lisa N
Scheduled Courses - 2019/2020
November 30, December 1 $289 / person
All prices are in CAD and subject to 5% GST
November 30, December 1 $289 / person
Women's only course
December 4, 5 $289 / person
Midweek
December 7, 8 $289 / person
December 7, 8 $580 / person
Hut Based
December 11, 12 $289 / person
Midweek
December 14, 15 $289 / person
December 18, 19 $289 / person
Midweek
December 21, 22 $289 / person
December 23, 24 $289 / person
December 28, 29 $289 / person
January 1, 2 $289 / person
Midweek
January 4, 5 $289 / person
January 8, 9 $289 / person
Women's only course
January 8, 9 $289 / person
Midweek
January 11, 12 $289 / person
January 15, 16 $289 / person
Midweek
January 18, 19 $289 / person
January 22, 23 $289 / person
Midweek
January 25, 26 $289 / person
January 25, 26 $289 / person
Women's only course
January 29, 30 $289 / person
Midweek
February 1, 2 $289 / person
February 5, 6 $289 / person
Midweek
February 8, 9 $289 / person
February 12, 13 $289 / person
Wedweek
February 15, 16 $289 / person
February 22, 23 $289 / person
February 29, March 1 $289 / person
March 7, 8 $289 / person
March 7, 8 $289 / person
March 14, 15 $289 / person
Add-Ons
Day 0.5 (Wednesday or Friday)
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Classroom session
Location: Whistler, Squamish or Vancouver
Day 1
8:00 am - Morning session in Whistler village
9:00 am - Whistler Backcountry field session
(Backcountry pass necessary if you don't already have a Season's Pass, Epic Pass, or Edge Card. Available upon booking.)
Day 2
8:00 am - Morning session in Whistler village
9:00 am - Whistler Backcountry field session
(Backcountry pass necessary if you don't already have a Season's Pass, Epic Pass, or Edge Card. Available upon booking.)
- Course Material (Decision Making Hand Book)
- 2.5 Days Instruction from CAA Members and ACMG Guide
- Backcountry Ski Rentals
- Avalanche Rescue Equipment
- Whistler Blackcomb Backcountry Lift Ticket
- Lunch
- Transportation
Avalanche Safety Gear
- Avalanche Transceiver
- Shovel: Collapsible aluminum shovel.
- Probe: Normal length probe somewhere from 220cm to 320cm.
*Available for rent at check out*
Hardware
- Ski touring skis: bindings, skins, poles or split board+skins
- Ski touring/snowboard boots
- Snow saw (optional)
- Suitable day pack 30 - 40L
Clothing
- Waterproof/breathable jacket and pants
- Lightweight breathable jacket and pants (for uphill skinning/climbing)
- Insulated jacket (synthetic insulated jacket is strongly recommended)
- Lightweight gloves for climbing/skinning
- Warm gloves
- Warm hats
- Balaclava or another type of neck warmer
- Base layers
Miscellaneous
- Sunglasses
- Goggles
- Sun screen
- Sun hat
- Ski strap
- Small personal ski repair kit
- Personal first aid, medication
- Camera
Please take a moment to read and understand our policies before booking! Booking, payment, cancelation and weather policies, as well as FAQ may be found here.
Still Have Questions or Concerns?
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns or requests on how we can make this the best trip ever!!!
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Altus mountain guides is a group of motivated professionals dedicated to providing our clients with outstanding quality in the mountains with safe adventurous trips. From our base in Squamish and Whistler BC we provide you access to the most amazing mountain experiences the West Coast has to offer. Our exciting itineraries showcase the Coast Range but reach beyond to the interior ranges of the Selkirkʼs and Purcellʼs and onto the Rockies. We also offer trips internationally from the historic and classic European Alps to the windswept wilds of Patagonia.