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Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (AST1)

Be prepared for the backcountry with your AST 1. Join our ACMG accredited guides for a safe, educational and fun course.

At A Glance

  • Duration: Two days
  • Experience: Reasonable fitness

Star Outline Fitness Level: Moderate (be able to hike for 6 hours)

Forward Ski Experience: Must be able to traverse on skis or split-board

User Age: 16 & up

 

Person
CA$275

Train in Avalanche Safety Skills

The focus of our Avalanche Skills Training 1 (AST1) program is on preparing people to make informed decisions in avalanche terrain and understand the risks in which they are engaging. It is a great way to gain a foundation in avalanche awareness and safety.

  • AST 1, we offer remote learning, a video call prior to the field day and one day in the field. This is a great introduction or a great refresher at the start of the season.

For the 2021-2022 Winter season, we are happy to offer students online learning classes for the theory portion of the course and many date options for booking the field day and completing the course. Recognizing that most students appreciate opportunities to learn at their own pace and more time to digest the information, we have built an online classroom. You still have access to our ACMG accredited instructors, but you also have time to learn at your own pace, in your own home, at times that work for you. Take a look at Module 1 from our Online Classroom to discover what it’s all about.

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1

This national certification course uses the curriculum and student handbooks provided by Avalanche Canada and is delivered by our professional ACMG accredited instructors with years of practical field experience.

We believe in offering this course in a positive learning environment and are committed to passing on the important messages that increase your safety in the mountains.

Totally new to Ski Touring? New for 2022, we are offering AST 1  field days at Marmot Basin Ski Resort so you can learn the fundamental techniques of ski touring or split boarding alongside the Avalanche Canada curriculum.

Winter 2021 – 2022 

Component 1:  Field day

Sign up for your AST 1 course by selecting your field day in the calendar. The price of this course is $275 and includes access to our On-line Classroom material. The field day will provide opportunities to practice many of the skills highlighted in the classroom portion, along with some fun backcountry skiing or snowboarding.

Component 2:  On-line Classroom

Complete the classroom portion before your field day through a series of readings, exercises, and quizzes.  Meet your instructor and group via Google Meet prior to the field day to review material, ask questions, and complete a trip planning exercise (2 hours). You’ll need a Google account to access the online classroom.
*Access to the online classroom material will remain available to you all winter. 

AST 1 Schedule 2021 – 2022:

Field Days:

  • December 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 16, 17, 2021
  • January 8, 9, 10, 25, 26, 2022
  • February 10, 11, 26, 27, 2022
  • March 6, 7, 17, 18, 2022

All AST 1 courses are in Jasper, AB.

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