Avalanche Course

AST 1 – Avalanche Skill Training

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.  

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Your First Step to Accessing the Backcountry

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?

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.

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

 

**Online plus 1 day in the field

Length

1 Day**

Price

Starting at $225

Location

Whistler / Squamish

Season

All Winter

Difficulty

Beginner

Guest / Guide Ratio

6 to 1

Includes

  • Course material (Decision-making handbook)
  • Access to the online course for 90 days
  • 1 days instruction from CAA members and ACMG guide

Does Not Include

  • Avalanche rescue equipment
  • Backcountry lift ticket
  • Transportation
  • Accommodation 

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

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.          

AVY GEAR RENTALS
$35 / course
W/B LIFT TICKET
$62 / day

2022/2023

Weekend (Nov 27 - Mar. 26) Squamish
$275 / person per person + GST
Weekday (Dec. 1 - Mar. 30) Squamish
$225 / person per person + GST
Weekend (Dec. 4 - Mar. 27) Whistler
$275 / person per person + GST
Weekday (Dec 8 - Mar. 23) Whisler
$225 / person per person + GST

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.

Squamish field days: Chains are required by BC parks to access the meeting location. Please reach out for assistance.

Online Pre-Course

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Itinerary

Gear list

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