AST 1
Your First Step to Accessing the Backcountry
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. 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?
Then yes!
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.
The Goods
Length: Online + 1 day in the field
Locations: Whistler or Squamish BC
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
Season: Scheduled dates all winter
Max Guide to Guest Ratio: 8:1 guest to guide
Price: Starting at $225
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.
Is this for you
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.
What you will learn
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
Online Pre-Couse
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.
I contacted five companies about setting up a custom mountaineering trip and Altus immediately got back to me with all sorts of helpful, informative details. They were much easier and better to work with than all the other companies.
- Michele G
I felt safe and secure, and I learned a ton. Great objective, great weather, great food, and great company - it doesn't get any better than this! Can't wait to get back out there with the Altus guides - don't leave home without 'em!
- Nigel B
Scheduled Courses - 2022/2023
All prices are in CAD and subject to 5% sales tax.
Squamish
Weekend $275 / person
Nov 27th - March 26th
Weekday $225 / person
Dec 1st - March 30th
Whistler
Weekend $275 / person
Dec 4th - March 27th
Weekday $225 / person
Dec 8th - March 23rd
Add-Ons
All Altus AST courses are taught to the highest standard and follow the Avalanche Canada curriculum.
Still Have Questions or Concerns?
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns or requests on how we can make this the best trip ever!
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Altus mountain guides is a group of motivated professionals dedicated to providing our clients with outstanding quality in the mountains with safe adventurous trips. From our base in Squamish and Whistler BC we provide you access to the most amazing mountain experiences the West Coast has to offer. Our exciting itineraries showcase the Coast Range but reach beyond to the interior ranges of the Selkirkʼs and Purcellʼs and onto the Rockies. We also offer trips internationally from the historic and classic European Alps to the windswept wilds of Patagonia.