Avalanche Skills Training Course AST Level 1

Day 1: Classroom session from 7:00pm to 9:00pm

• Introductions
• Formation and nature of avalanches
• Avalanche terrain
• Equipment

Day 2: Classroom session from 8:00am to 11:00am

• The snowpack
• Factors affecting snow stability
• Backcountry travel considerations

Afternoon field session from 12:00pm to 5:00pm

• Beacon practice and self rescue
• Route finding in avalanche terrain
• Decision making in avalanche terrain
• Snowpack information gathering

Day 3: Field session from 8:00am to 4:00pm

• This Certificate course includes a Backcountry Avalanche Awareness booklet and the ‘Avaluator’ decision making tool.
• This course is a pre-requisite for the professional industry level courses offered by the CAA.
• After several years of teaching this course, we have evolved this course beyond an AST1 course. We cover the required AST1 curriculum, but also focus time on field travel to help with your decision-making in the backcountry.
• You will be responsible for your technical gear. This gear can be rented in Jasper. See equipment list for AST courses.
• We will be in the field for one and a half days. Typical venues include Parker Ridge for the half day, and the Bald Hills for the full day.
• If you are 17 years old or younger you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on this course.
• This course welcomes all abilities, however, it is recommended that you can downhill ski or ride at an intermediate level, and are at a level of fitness that allows you to enjoy a full day of travel

Avalanche Skills Training course

Your guide(s) will be providing additional safety equipment.

*Mountain Equipment Co-op offers free rental of shovel, beacon and probe for students registered on an AST course. Rental equipment is also available at Gravity Gear in Jasper.

CLOTHING: Be prepared for cold and windy conditions. The following list is a minimum amount of clothing.

• long underwear (top and bottom)
• insulation layer (e.g. fleece/wool shirt)
• wind layer or fleece jacket
• goretex pants and jacket
• gloves and/or mitts
• toque

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT:

• touring/telemark skis, boots and bindings
• Snowboarders; a split board works well, but snow shoes are not permitted, as they are not practical in the terrain we will be using.
• ski poles (collapsable poles are best for snowboarders)
• climbing skins that fit your skis or splitboard
• *avalanche beacon / shovel / probe

THINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO FORGET!:

• water (1 litre minimum)
• lunch (plan for several shorter breaks)
• sunscreen
• sunglasses and ski goggles
• blister kit (“Compeed” brand of blister bandage works really well)

HANDY ITEMS: (optional)

• camera
• snow observation kit: field book, crystal screen, bush saw, thermometer.
• Small repair kit: small multi head screwdriver, pocket knife, zap straps, wire, nylon repair tape, hockey tape
• down jacket
• thermos

Book your spot on a course

Avalanche Skills Training Course AST Level 2

Day 1: Classroom sessions from 8:00am to 5:00pm

• Introductions
• Review formation and nature of avalanches
• Review back country planning
• Terrain, terrain, terrain
• Decision making with respect to avalanche terrain
• Snowpack information gathering
• Incorporating snowpack into decision making
• Review of avalanche beacon technology

Day 2: Field session from 8:00am to 5:00pm

• Route finding in avalanche terrain
• Decision making in avalanche terrain

Day 3: Morning classroom session from 8:00am to 10:00am

• Snow pack information (what’s important?)

Field session from 11:00am to 5:00pm

• Snow pack information gathering and assessment
• Stability tests and assessment
• Route finding

Day 4: Field session from 8:00am to 5:00pm

• Beacon practice and self rescue
• Route finding in avalanche terrain
• Decision making in avalanche terrain
• Snowpack information gathering

AST1 $1400+gst for up to 6 participants

AST2 $3200+gst for up to 6 participants

contact Matt Reynolds to book your course dates

• This Certificate course includes a Backcountry Avalanche Awareness booklet, an avalanche handbook and the ‘Avaluator’ decision making tool.
• This course is a pre-requisite for the professional industry level courses offered by the CAA.
• The AST2 course is designed to introduce and reinforce a solid foundation for safe decision making in the back country. This course will review and build on AST1 material. A pre-requisite course is not required. With four days of field travel throughout Jasper National Park, the focus for this course is on practical decision making.
• You will be responsible for your technical gear. This gear can be rented in Jasper. See equipment list for AST courses.
• We will be in the field for three and a half days. Typical venues include Parker Ridge, Hilda Ridge, Mile 45 (Sunwapta region), Whistler Creek and the Bald Hills.
• If you are 17 years old or younger you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on this course.
• This course welcomes all abilities, however, it is recommended that you can downhill ski or ride at an intermediate level, and are at a level of fitness that allows you to enjoy a full day of travel.

Avalanche Skills Training course

Your guide(s) will be providing additional safety equipment.

*Mountain Equipment Co-op offers free rental of shovel, beacon and probe for students registered on an AST course. Rental equipment is also available at Gravity Gear in Jasper.

CLOTHING: Be prepared for cold and windy conditions. The following list is a minimum amount of clothing.

• long underwear (top and bottom)
• insulation layer (e.g. fleece/wool shirt)
• wind layer or fleece jacket
• goretex pants and jacket
• gloves and/or mitts
• toque

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT:

• touring/telemark skis, boots and bindings
• Snowboarders; a split board works well, but snow shoes are not permitted, as they are not practical in the terrain we will be using.
• ski poles (collapsable poles are best for snowboarders)
• climbing skins that fit your skis or splitboard
• *avalanche beacon / shovel / probe

THINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO FORGET!:

• water (1 litre minimum)
• lunch (plan for several shorter breaks)
• sunscreen
• sunglasses and ski goggles
• blister kit (“Compeed” brand of blister bandage works really well)

HANDY ITEMS: (optional)

• camera
• snow observation kit: field book, crystal screen, bush saw, thermometer.
• Small repair kit: small multi head screwdriver, pocket knife, zap straps, wire, nylon repair tape, hockey tape
• down jacket
• thermos