AST 1
Your First Step to Accessing the Backcountry
The AST 1 - Avalanche Skills Training course is the long-established standard in introductory avalanche education. This course is designed to bring resort skiers into the backcountry with the foundational skills to understand avalanche formations and proper backcountry travel. Also, this course will give students the prerequisites to pursue more advance professional or recreational avalanche training.
- 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 skills to ski fun lines.
The Goods
Length: Online + 1 day in the field
Locations: Whistler or Squamish BC
Prerequisites: Ability to hike uphill for 3 hours, Intermediate ski ability (black diamond runs)
Highlight Skills: Companion rescue, Snow assessment, Group management, Use of ski touring gear
Season: Scheduled dates all winter
Max Guide to Guest Ratio: 8:1 guest to guide
Price: Starting at $225
Itinerary
Day 1 (Online)
Complete online learning at your pace (4- 6 hours)
Day 2 (Whistler or Squamish)
8:00 am - Morning session
9:00 am - Field session
Whistler field day: Pass holders must reserve Whistler lift access. If you do not have a seasons pass backcountry passes are available $59
Squamish field days: Chains are required by BC parks to access the meeting location. Please reach out for assistance.
Is this for you
Those new to backcountry skiing or with limited experience. The ability to ski blue square runs in powder conditions is required.
- Good ski or boarding ability. Blue square runs (just barely)
- Basic understanding of gear (have put it all together at least once)
- Moderate fitness - Can hike 2 to 3 hours/day.
What you will learn
Our AST 1+ course is unique in that we are teaching participants the basic skills of avalanche phenomena, assessment, avoidance, and ski touring skills to access the backcountry. This course will cover both 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.
Online Learning
- Avalanche Statistics
- Snowpack Assessment
- Defining Avalanche Problems
- Avalanche Sizes
- Terrain Assessment
- Group Management
- Applying Daily Forecast in the Field
- Companion Rescue
- Pre-trip Planning
- Gear
Online Pre-Couse
Unique to Altus AST courses is our custom made #altusonlinelearning platform with over 13 courses available. Each course is built and instructed by one of our guides and is used to ensure you get the most out of your time in the field.
The AST 1 pre-course takes approximately 3 - 4 hours to complete and is a series of videos and presentations followed up with a final exam. The final exam requires a 60% pass to receive the AST 1 certificate.
Students will have access to this course for learning to revisit for 2 months from sign up.
I contacted five companies about setting up a custom mountaineering trip and Altus immediately got back to me with all sorts of helpful, informative details. They were much easier and better to work with than all the other companies.
- Michele G
I felt safe and secure, and I learned a ton. Great objective, great weather, great food, and great company - it doesn't get any better than this! Can't wait to get back out there with the Altus guides - don't leave home without 'em!
- Nigel B
Scheduled Courses - 2021/2022
All prices are in CAD and subject to 5% sales tax.
Squamish
Weekend $245 / person
Nov 27th - March 26th
Weekday $225 / person
Dec 1st - March 30th
Whistler
Weekend $245 / person
Dec 4th - March 27th
Weekday $225 / person
Dec 8th - March 23rd
Add-Ons
Day 1 (Online)
Complete online learning at your pace (4- 6 hours)
Day 2 (Whistler or Squamish)
8:00 am - Morning session
9:00 am - Field session
(Lift tickets are necessary for Whistler, discounted backcountry passes are available upon booking $62)
- Course material (Decision-making handbook)
- Access to the online course for 90 days
- 1 days instruction from CAA members and ACMG guide
- Avalanche rescue equipment
- Backcountry lift ticket
- Transportation
- Accommodation
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
- Baselayers
Miscellaneous
- Sunglasses
- Goggles
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- ski strap
- small personal ski repair kit
- personal first aid, medication
- Camera
Making a booking
Greater than 14 days from the start date
- A 20% deposit is required to secure your guides and or trip. The remaining trip cost is due 14 days before the course date.
Less than 14 days from the start date
- The trip cost must be paid in full
*Subject to change based on a particular trip/course
Forms of payment
Credit card: Visa, Mastercard
Email transfer: info@altusmountainguides.com
Cheque: Only accepted 30 days before trip commencement
Cancellations
Greater than 30 days from the start date
- The deposit will be refunded in full
30 to 14 days before trip commencement
- The deposit amount will be forfeited
Less than 14 days
- The full trip amount will be forfeited
*Subject to change based on a particular trip
*All cancellations must be received in writing
Cancellations by Altus Mountain Guides
Upon confirming your booking, we guarantee the trip departure. If we cancel a trip for any reason before the start date, a full refund will be provided. If we are forced to cancel a trip for any reason after the trip start date, a full refund for the trip's unused portion will be provided.
Trip cancellation insurance
Upon confirmation of your trip, Altus Mountain Guides enters into financial obligation and cannot refund payment or release you from your contractual obligation except for the condition stated below in “Cancellations.” Therefore, to avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties, cancellation insurance is strongly recommended if you can not participate or if your trip is interrupted “for any reason.” This is available from most travel companies. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding our policy or obtaining insurance.
Cancellation insurance
- Tugo
Medical/Evacuation Insurance
All participants must have personal internationally accepted medical insurance for all activities on your trip, including emergency rescue and evacuation. With your insurance, please ensure you will be covered for “roped travel” if booking a technical trip.
*The required insurance depends on location
Canada
- Insurance is free in the entire country
USA
- Private insurance is recommended
France
- Mountain climbing rescue is free
Switzerland, Italy, Austria
- Privates or alpine club insurance is required.
*Europe: We recommend the following: Austrian alpine club membership, REGA
Additional fees
Longer & more involved routes may have additional premiums, driving, accommodation, & food costs, depending on the trip.
Please contact us for details and a full quote.
All Altus AST courses are taught to the highest standard and follow the Avalanche Canada curriculum.
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.