AST 2 - Avalanche Skills Training
Unlock the Backcountry
The AST Level 2 is a course that takes you to bigger mountains, further places and wilder terrain. So if you’re looking to take it a few steps further -literally- then this is the course for you. Take on four and a half days of hands-on Avalanche Skills Training in the backcountry. Immersed in challenging and complex terrain to push and expand your backcountry knowledge, the AST 2 course builds upon participants' backcountry experiences by focusing on observational tools and experiential decision making.
We offer intimate group sizes taught by professional ACMG Ski Guides committed to teaching the skills required to be safe and have a blast while elevating your backcountry adventures.
The Goods
Length: 4.5 Days**
Locations: Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, BC.
Prerequisites: AST 1 (or equivalent), ski touring experience and advanced ski or riding ability.
Highlight Skills: Advanced snow assessment, student leads, avalanche forecasting and experiential decision-making process.
Season: Scheduled Courses All Winter
Max. Guest to Guide Ratio: 6:1
Price: $629
** 4-hour online session before 4 full days on the mountain
Itinerary
Day 0.5
Online learning (4-5 hours)
Day 1
8:00 to 16:00 Field Session
Whistler Backcountry
Day 2
8:00 to 16:00 Field Session
Whistler Backcountry
Day 3
8:00 to 16:00 Field Session
Duffy Lake Area (condition dependant)
Day 4
8:00 to 16:00 Field Session
TBD, Based on Conditions
Is This for You
This course is the next step in your Avalanche Skills Training. Participants must have completed an AST 1 (or equivalent) or have permission from instructors based on your past backcountry experience. It is also recommended that participants have a minimum of 20 days of touring experience and regularly ski tours of 1000m days of uphill travel.
- Advanced Ski or Boarding Ability (black diamond runs)
- Familiarity with Ski Touring or Split Board Equipment
- Moderate Fitness - Can Ski Tour Uphill 1000 - 1500m
- AST 1 or Equivalent
- 20 Days Ski Touring Experience
What You Will Learn
Participants of the AST 2 course shift from rule-based decision making to experiential decision making. We focus on tools that will leverage your past experiences with observational tools in the field to make safe decisions in avalanche terrain. The AST 2 course covers advanced snow assessment, decision-making process, group management and advanced travel techniques.
Avalanche Skills Training
- Use the Avaluator™ as a filtering tool to determine when additional planning and travel techniques are required to travel safely.
- Be familiar with Avalanche Danger Rating verification techniques for personal use on a local scale.
- Be familiar with the ATES technical model as a means to develop personal, local terrain ratings.
Ski Touring Training
- Use route finding to take advantage of nuances in terrain to manage personal risk.
- Use travel techniques in avalanche terrain appropriate to the avalanche conditions.
- Proficiently carry out a companion rescue. Understand the limits of their training
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 2020/2021
December 10 - 13 $629 / person
All prices are in CAD and subject to 5% sales tax.
December 17 - 20 $1980 / person
Backcountry Lodge Based - Learn more
December 17 - 20 $629 / person
December 31 - January 3 $629 / person
January 14 - 17 $629 / person
January 18 - 21 $629 / person
February 4 - 7 $629 / person
February 18 - 21 $629 / person
March 4 - 7 $629 / person
March 18 - 21 $629 / person
Add-Ons
Day 0.5
19:00 to 21:00 Classroom session
Vancouver or Whistler
Day 1
8:00 to 9:00 Classroom session
9:00 to 16:00 Field session
Whistler Backcountry**
Day 2
8:00 to 9:00 Classroom session
9:00 to 16:00 Field session
Whistler Backcountry**
Day 3
8:00 to 9:00 Classroom session
9:00 to 16:00 Field session
Duffy Lake area
Day 4
8:00 to 9:00 Classroom session
9:00 to 16:00 Field session
TBD, based on conditions**
**Whistler Blackcomb Backcountry Passes required for Whistler Field Sessions ($69/day)
- Course Material (Decision Making Hand Book)
- 4.5 Days Instruction from CAA Members and ACMG Guide
- 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.
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
Please take a moment to read and understand our policies before booking! Booking, payment, cancellation 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.