AST 1 PLUS  -  4 hours of class and 2 field days

AST 1 is the introductory avalanche course taught in Canada. Our course differs from others in that it involves an additional field day which has a heavy focus on companion rescue. We also have low instructor to student ratios to ensure the training is tailored to your individual experience level. Students should expect an intensive course with a lot of information.

Course is available as a contract
AST 2 PLUS - 4 hours of class and 4 field days
This course is designed to enable students with a solid understanding of Avalanche Safety principles to build on their existing knowledge.
The primary focus will be on developing and implementing a system for assessing and evaluating potential avalanche slopes in the backcountry in regards to the hazard that they present. This is not meant to be a forecasting course, nor a course that dwells on the scientific collection and recording of snowpack and weather observations. Rather, the course will emphasize the practical collection and analysis of relevant data that an average backcountry skier would be able to use as the basis for making their decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain.

Learning outcomes for the AST-2 program:

  • Develop a systematic approach towards evaluating snow stability and hazard which includes the collection of weather, snowpack, and terrain information
  • Be able to recognize safe terrain and routes in avalanche terrain, and know methods of avoiding hazardous regions
  • Understand snow avalanche mechanics, including correlation of weather to snowpack, layering, effects of temperatures, principles of slab failure, leading causes of instabilities, and forces involved in avalanches
  • Learn methods of observing, collecting, and recording information in the field through activities such as hasty-pits; observations of avalanche activity, wind loading, snow distribution, and depth; snow testing; weather observations; and, terrain assessment
  • To know how and when to perform a variety of shear tests, such as pole test, compression test, burp, ski cutting, Rutschblock; and, to know how to relate each test to the overall "big picture"
  • To be able to perform self-rescue procedures and protocols, including multiple transceiver searches
Course is available as a contract.