Course Description

Taking the Avalanche Skills Training 1 course is your entry ticket to a new world of skiing and riding in the backcountry.  It is developed by Avalanche Canada and provide an entry level decision making framework and teaching you the fundamentals of travelling in avalanche terrain.

Is this for you?

Are you new to backcountry skiing? Have you been out a few times and hoping to spend more time in the backcountry this winter? This course is for you who is an intermediate to advanced skier/ rider and have the fitness to hike uphill 3 hours a day, with some basic understanding of your backcountry equipment (have at least used it ones).

What You Will Learn

This course will teach you the fundamentals in decision making in avalanche terrain.  Some of the topics covered in this short but jam-packed course is avalanche basics, travelling in avalanche terrain, terrain assessment, trip planning, using the Avaluator decision making tool, proper use of safety equipment (transceiver, probe and shovel) and avalanche rescue.

Details

LOCATION: Revelstoke backcountry and Rogers Pass

DURATION: 2 days: one online day, one field day

UPCOMING DATES: TBA

*Please enquire about custom course dates if you have a group of minimum 3 people.

GUEST/GUIDE MAX RATIO: 6:1

DIFFICULTY: Intermediate to advance ski ability with some offpist experience, but limited to no backcountry experience.

PRICE: $250 + 5% GST/ person

Itinerary

Day 1 (Online)

Online training course (4-6 hrs) followed by a 2 hour online zoom meeting the evening before the field day. We will review the online training component and prep for the field day and answer any question you have. You will have access to the online course component when you register for the course so it can be completed on your own time and pace. You only need to be available for the zoom meeting in the evening of day 1.

Day 2 (Field day)

We will meet in Rogers Pass Centre at 8.00am ready to spend a full day in the backcountry. We will apply the skills we learned during the online course. The course will be wrapped up and completed around 4.00pm.

What's Included

  • Interactive online course 4-6 hours

  • Zoom meeting and pre course planning support

  • 1 full field day of instruction with certified ACMG Guide

  • Avaluator and Avalanche handbook

  • Group safety equipment (communication device, rescue kit, first aid supplies, GPS, maps etc)

What's Not Included

  • Lunch and snacks

  • Personal ski gear (ski touring boots, skis or split-board, skins)

  • Personal avalanche safety equipment (probe, shovel and transceiver)

  • Transportation to and from ski location

  • National Park visitor pass and parking pass for vehicle

  • Insurance (trip cancellation, travel, medical)

Equipment

Travel Equipment

-  ski touring skis / telemark / split board 

-  ski boots / snowboard boots

-  ski poles (with powder basket)

-  ski skins for traveling up the hill (make sure the glue works well)

-  avalanche transceiver with new batteries and spares (needs to be a modern 3 antenna transceiver)

-  shovel (no plastic)

-  probe (2-3m)

Clothing

  • waterproof jacket and pants (Gore-Tex or equivalent)

  • soft shell type of jacket for everyday skiing

  • warm insulation jacket (down or synthetic)

  • base layer (wool or synthetic -no cotton, please)

  • light pair of gloves fo skinning and warm pair of ski gloves or mitts

  • warm hat

  • sun hat (full brim or cap)

  • buff, neck tube or balaclava

Miscellaneous

  • backpack (30-40L)

  • googles & sunglasses

  • helmet (optional)

  • small first aid kit with personal medications, blister kit etc. 

  • headlamp

  • water bottle(s) 1-2 litres

  • thermos (optional)

  • face mask (COVID)

  • hand sanitizer (COVID)

To Book

Please get in touch by email info@stenbergguides.com to reserve a spot, or with any questions you may have. Ones you have reserved a spot, we will send you all the details you will need to know about the course. Please also read through our booking policy before making any payments.

If you have a group of 4-6 people and the above dates don’t work for you, we can run an exclusive course for you and your group! Please get in touch to get this set up.

“An AST 1 course is the ticket for anyone new to backcountry touring and will teach you the fundamentals of decision making in avalanche terrain. This course will open the door to the world of backcountry skiing and riding!
”

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