$185 CDN includes instruction, classroom materials, and avalanche safety equipment. You will need to bring adequate clothing and equipment for a backcountry ski tour (or snowshoes). GST is extra.
Special: Book an AST 1 and AST 2 at the same time and receive a 10% discount on both programs!
The focus of this program is avalanche theory and instruction via the Canadian Avalanche Centre avalanche skills training curriculum. Our first day will be in the classroom in Calgary or Canmore learning about the conditions and physics that lead to avalanches. This is a full and intensive day. The second day will be a field trip to a backcountry location where we will be travelling either by backcountry ski gear or snowshoes to a number of different snow study sites. This can involve up to 5 km of travel and up to 250 m of elevation gain. Students must be able to travel on backcountry skis or snow shoes and should have a normal level of fitness.
Certification
This course is two days of intensive learning. The first day is classroom based and the second is in the backcountry learning and practicing skills. It is a fast paced course with a curriculum developed by the Canadian Avalanche Centre and refined by Yamnuska. Upon completion of the course you will receive an Avalanche Skills Training 1 Certificate. The AST1 is the prerequisite for the professional level Avalanche Operations Level 1.
Advanced Avalanche Training and Theory
This course is the prerequisite for our Avalanche Skills Training 2 advanced course. If you are a backcountry skier/border, you can join us for this comprehensive 4 day program which includes one day of advanced theory and three days of backcountry touring. We offer this four day program based out of Canmore once in January, once in February and over two consecutive weekends in March. We also offer this program in Roger's Pass for those who are intermediate/advanced backcountry skiers/boarders.
Further reading and theory: We are now offering the AST 2 text for sale on our AST 1 programs. If you would like to have a reference manual that goes into more depth of the theory behind why avalanches occur, you can purchase the "Staying Alive In Avalanche Terrain" book by Bruce Tremper for an additional $25. Please let us know when you register if you would like this option as supplies are limited.
Avalanche Skills Training 1
AST 1
AST 1
AST 1
AST 1
Avalanche courses have become an essential training tool for snowshoers, backcountry skiers, snowmobilers and ice climbers. The Avalanche Skills Training level 1 (AST 1) by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is specifically designed to give backcountry adventurists and other recreationalists introductory knowledge to avalanche hazard. As a supporting sponsor of the Canadian Avalanche Center, we strictly adhere to the national curriculum while at the same time exposing you to the expertise of our full time professional guides. Our instructors are ACMG certified guides and professional members of the Canadian Avalanche Association - in other words they are working practitioners. In addition to their expert technical skill, our avalanche instructors are selected based on their ability to teach in an interesting and informative manner.
Our classroom days in Canmore and Calgary are full instructional days dedicated to the theoretical study of avalanche types and terrain. Then on the second day, we travel to field locations in Banff National Park or Kananaskis Provincial Park for some hands on training.
Winter activities in the Canadian Rockies are growing in popularity. An introductory avalanche skills course will help you identify avalanche hazards and minimize unnecessary exposure to risk. Winter is an amazing time to explore the mountains, but safety is paramount.
We consistently get superb feedback from our avalanche skills training course students. For your convenience we offer classroom courses in both Calgary and Canmore. We can offer private courses in British Columbia and Alberta.
Our Canmore and Calgary courses fill quickly with many people booking both the AST 1 and AST 2 courses. Take advantage of our Winter 2011/2012 promotion to reveive a 10% discount when you book our AST 1 and AST 2 courses at the same time. This is great value.
*New Winter 2012-13! Join us for an additional day of backcountry skiing every Monday following our AST 1 course. Sign up for our ‘Plus Day’ add-on option where you’ll get the opportunity to put into practice all of the AST 1 skills: route selection, terrain recognition and assessment, group management and safe travel practices and snow study opportunities where appropriate.
Course Agenda
Saturday (At Yamnuska Office in Canmore or our Lecture Room in Calgary)
9:30 am
Introductions, goals and objectives, agenda
Avalanche phenomena, formation and characteristics of avalanches
Avalanche Terrain Recognition, introduction to the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale
Changes in the mountain snowpack, snow metamorphism
12:00 pm
Lunch break
1:00 pm
Assessing and reducing risk
Accessing and utilizing the Avalanche Danger Scale and Public Avalanche Bulletins
Using the AvaluatorTM
Safe travel and trip planning
Companion Rescue: A methodical approach
Logistics for the Field Day
4:30pm
Class ends
Sunday at Bow Summit, on Highway 93, 40 km north of Lake Louise or at selected areas of Kananaskis Country or Banff National Park (Calgary courses).
9:00 am
Meet, issue gear and introduce additional instructors
Weather and avalanche bulletin discussion
Field observations (ongoing)
Transceivers and companion rescue practice
Managing risk in avalanche terrain (ongoing)
Route selection, track setting and terrain recognition (ongoing)
Snow pit and stability tests
Group rescue exercise
4:30 pm
Debrief and end of course
NOTE ON RISK: The course takes place in the backcountry in a winter environment. Conditions can be harsh and you need to be adequately dressed to enhance your comfort and learning. During the day we will be on the periphery of avalanche terrain however, we do limit our exposure to avalanches so that we can operate in the program area no matter what the avalanche danger is for that given day. All of our guides/instructors carry first aid kits and emergency communication. The course is designed to provide a good platform for learning and is not meant to be physically challenging or to put you at risk.
NOTE: Agenda may vary with field conditions and group abilities. A short tour of up to two kilometers is integral on the Sunday but if you're not a skier, snowshoes are adequate. It is important that you be properly equipped (see gear tab).
*New Winter 2012-13! Join us for an additional day of backcountry skiing every Monday following our AST 1 course. Sign up for our ‘Plus Day’ add-on option where you’ll get the opportunity to put into practice all of the AST 1 skills: route selection, terrain recognition and assessment, group management and safe travel practices and snow study opportunities where appropriate.
Instructors & Group Size
Yamnuska AST instructors are ACMG guides and professional members of the Canadian Avalanche Association. They are true practitioners with years of experience in the backcountry, practicing what they preach. Yamnuska has been offering Avalanche Awareness courses since the late 1970's. We have been instrumental in the curriculum development of the AST course. We are a proud sponsor of the Canadian Avalanche Centre.
On the field day there is a maximum of 8 participants per instructor.
Dave Stark: Director of Operations for Yamnuska, IFMGA Mountain Guide and Professional member of the Canadian Avalanche Association, Avalanche Operations Level 3. Dave has had more than thirty years of experience guiding and teaching avalanche awareness courses.
Jesse de Montigny: IFMGA Mountain guide and professional member of the CAA, Avalanche Operations Level 2. Jesse is the Assistant Director of Operations at Yamnuska.
James Blench:James is a long term senior guide and past Director of Yamnuska. He is a CAA examiner on the Level 2 and 3 CAA certification courses and serves as a subject matter expert for the Canadian Avalanche Association.
Steve Blagbrough: IFMGA Mountain guide and senior guide at Yamnuska, Steve is also a professional member of the CAA and Avalanche Operations Level 2. Prior to coming to Canada over ten years ago, Steve was an avalanche forecaster and guide in Scotland.
Grant Meekins: IFMGA Mountain guide and senior guide at Yamnuska, Grant is a certified teacher and professional member of the CAA, Avalanche Operations Level 2.
Alison Cardinal:An Assistant Ski Guide and professional member of the CAA, Avalanche Operations Level 2, Alison is a passionate backcountry skier and teacher. She is also a representative for Recco avalanche rescue systems.
Canmore courses begin at 9:30am on the Saturday morning at the Yamnuska Office in Canmore. Our office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore Alberta. See this map for location. Please note that the field trip will be to Bow Summit, which is 120km west of Canmore.
Calgary courses begin at 9:30am on the Saturday morning at the Calgary Area Outdoor Council Building (CAOC), 1111 Memorial Drive, Calgary Alberta immediately to the west of the 10th Street bridge over the Bow River. To allow for turn restrictions, we suggest you drive east along Memorial Drive so you can turn right, directly into the free parking lot next to the building which is an old converted brick fire hall. Parking space may be limited due to some site construction, however students are permitted to use the lot if space is available. There is public parking across the street. See this map for location.
Field days on the Calgary course are typically held at the Burstall Pass Trail head on the Smith Dorrien Road.
Transportation
To keep prices down participants are responsible for their own transport to Calgary, Canmore and on the field days. Canmore is a 1 hour (100km) drive west from Calgary.
If you are flying from afar for the program we suggest that you rent a car for your visit. In addition to getting you to the program locations, it will allow you to explore our region a bit after program hours. For example you can visit Banff and enjoy the hot pools and sample the numerous restaurants.
Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. Greyhound Bus Lines (1 800 661 8747) serves Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Accommodation and Meals
These are not included in the course fees. There are lots of options available including hostels, B'n'Bs, motels and hotels in Canmore. Check accommodation options on our links page for our recommendations or we would be happy to make reservations for you at our preferred rates. The Alpine Club Clubhouse (403 678 3200) is a good hostel here in Canmore with nice facilities and reasonable prices.
Food is not supplied. On the classroom day we will take a one hour break for lunch as well as several smaller breaks. Coffee, tea and water are available free of charge at our office for Canmore based courses. We have a microwave oven which students can use to reheat lunches.
On the field day it is important to have lots of snack type high energy foods as well as at least one litre of fluid. We highly recommend bringing a Thermos type container for a hot drink. Due to the nature of the environment and winter temperatures we will often 'snack' along the way and do not take an extended break for lunch.
Equipment & Clothing
First day in the classroom. This is an indoor session, dress casually and comfortably. Yamnuska supplies course manual, Companion Rescue Card and AvaluatorTM. Please bring a pen and notebook if you wish to take notes. On the field day Yamnuska will supply, upon request, avalanche transceiver with batteries, avalanche probe and avalanche shovel. We also supply group snow study kits and snow saw.
Equipment List
Skis / Snowshoes: if skis, either 'Alpine Touring' or Telemark. We recommend a short (160 - 185cm) wide ski designed for powder.
Ski poles (even if on snowshoes)
Climbing skins 'Stick-on type' (only required if using skis)
Avalanche transceiver (dual or triple antennae, digital type only. If you do not have a transceiver or have an analogue type, we will loan you a digital transceiver on request)
Shovel (collapsible avalanche shovel), loaners available on request.
Avalanche probe, loaners available on request
Sunglasses and/or ski goggles
Thermos flask and/or water bottle (1 - 2 Liters)
Sun screen
Pocket knife
Small Blister and Personal 1st-Aid Kit
Yamnuska uses state of the art avalanche equipment on all of our courses. Avalanche transceivers are Backcountry Access: Tracker DTS and Tracker 2. Both types are robust, simple to operate, digital transceivers. Probes are G3 and shovels are Voile Pro.
Please let us know in advance if you wish Yamnuska to provide you with an avalanche transceiver, probe or shovel for the field day.
Optional Equipment
Camera
Compass with clinometer
Snow thermometer
Yamnuska supplies but feel free to bring anyway:
Snow saw
Snow Study Kit
On the field day there can be prolonged periods of inactivity in very cold temperatures. Don't be afraid to bring extra layers as we don't travel great distances. We suggest bringing light clothing of varying thicknesses that can be 'layered' to achieve comfort and versatility. The most important consideration for clothing is the ability to regulate temperature as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest. We discourage cotton clothing as it causes rapid heat loss when wet.
Clothing List
Synthetic or synthetic/wool blend underwear (top and bottom)
Warm pants (softshell, insulated, or fleece)
Warm shirt (not cotton)
Sweater or fleece jacket
Insulated jacket or vest
Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or nylon)
Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex or nylon)
Socks (wool outer, synthetic blend liner)
Wool or fleece hat
Warm gloves and light glove liner
Gaiters, only needed if your ski pants are not elasticized at the ankle
Rental Information
Skis, Boots, Boards, Skins & Poles can be rented from:
Canmore: Gear Up - 1302 Bow Valley Trail (403 678-1636)
Please call our office if you have any questions.
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on booking. As a leading avalanche course provider, our courses do fill quickly. Many people book the AST 1 and AST 2 at the same time.
It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident while here. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is no charge for rescue so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass which you can obtain on entry to Banff National Park (cost $9).
There are two basic types of insurance that most travelers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.
Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:
It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is no charge for rescue in the National and provincial Parks, however costs such as air or ground transportation, long term care and other services are not covered.
Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:
We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries and other unplanned events. For these eventualities the Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment.
For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group. This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian and International Travelers. We highly recommend purchasing this insurance. For more information and to purchase a plan, visit the Simpson Group’s website.
We consistently get superb feedback from our avalanche skills training course students. For your convenience we offer classroom courses in both Calgary and Canmore. We can offer private courses in British Columbia and Alberta.
