In this course, we take our regular AST 2 program to one of the backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering capitals of North America – Roger’s Pass. You will end the course with the AST 2 curriculum while experiencing this amazing backcountry area. While the focus is on avalanche training, you will no doubt be thrilled with the skiing this area affords.
Serious backcountry skiers and riders who expect to be skiing Rogers Pass in the future will find this course offers the best of both worlds – in-depth knowledge of ‘the pass’ from one of our knowledgeable guides along with your AST 2 training.
The Rogers Pass AST 2 will help you build a solid knowledge base to safely expand your backcountry horizons. It will be a valuable investment in your mountain safety in addition to exposing you to some magical terrain.
This is a hands-on program featuring extensive practical field experience augmented with one day of classroom theory. The curriculum is designed to give a solid grounding in the essentials and is based on the requirements set out by the Canadian Avalanche Center (CAC). Your instructors are guides seasoned in touring, heliskiing, and forecasting. This program is suitable for those who have taken the AST 1 program in the past and who are advanced/intermediate backcountry skiers looking to expand their skills.
Course Agenda
- Day 1: Meet in the lobby of Ramada Inn in Golden, BC at 9:00 am MST for introductions, a review of course goals and itinerary. This day will be spent in the classroom where we will discuss advanced avalanche theory and forecasting. We rent space at the Ramada for the classroom day.
- Day 2 – 4: Each day there will be a field trip to a ski area in Rogers Pass. Destinations will be decided based on weather and snow conditions.
Curriculum
Considerable flexibility is built into the course delivery. Snow and weather conditions may dictate the order of presentation to some degree. Key topics will be constantly revisited during the program.
Topics Include:
- Avalanche phenomena, theory, and snow metamorphism
- Recognizing and navigating avalanche terrain
- Route finding and safe travel techniques in avalanche terrain
- Avalanche transceiver use and emergency response
- Conducting snow profiles and stability tests (e.g., Compression Test, Extended Column Test)
- Understanding and applying the avalanche danger scale and professional bulletins
- Making informed decisions through weather, terrain, snowpack, and avalanche activity observations
- Avalanche terrain recognition using the ATES (avalanche terrain exposure scale)
- Preparing for backcountry travel, including gear and safety planning
Instructors & Group Size
Yamnuska avalanche instructors are ACMG and IFMGA guides who are trained and certified by the Canadian Avalanche Association. They are true practitioners with years and in some cases, decades of experience in the backcountry, practicing what they preach. Yamnuska has been offering Avalanche courses since the late 1970s and we have been instrumental in the curriculum development of the AST programs. We are proud of our rich history in training recreationists in Canada. Most courses will be limited to 16 participants. There is a maximum of one instructor per 8 participants.
Program Logistics
Please meet at the lobby of the Ramada Inn in Golden, BC at 9:00 am (MST) on the first day. The first day will be spent in the classroom so be dressed for the great indoors! Rogers Pass is approximately a 45-minute drive from Golden.
Transportation
To keep prices down participants are responsible for their own transport to Golden and Roger’s Pass on the field days. Roger’s Pass is 350km west of Calgary on the Trans Canada (#1) Highway in Glacier National Park. Calgary International Airport is regularly serviced by flights from Europe and throughout North America. Greyhound (1 800 661 8747) services Rogers Pass from points east and west along the Trans Canada Highway.
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.
Park Passes
Please complete this quiz to receive your Glacier National Park Annual Winter Permit. this must be completed by all participants. Please copy and paste the following link into your browser and follow the instructions. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/glacier/visit/hiver-winter/ski/permis-permit-quiz
National Park passes are available both online at https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/admission and in-person at National park gates and some information centres.Please note that program venues may be within National Parks and/or Kananaskis Country. For programs where transportation is not provided by Yamnuska/Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska, guests will be required to purchase their own pass.
Kananaskis Country conservation passes are available online at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx
Accommodation and Meals
The course is based at the Ramada Inn in Golden, British Columbia. Accommodation is NOT included.
Alternate hostel accommodation is also available in Golden at the Kicking Horse River Lodge.
Please note that the guide will be based out of Golden and that due to potential winter road closures we suggest that guests also base themselves in Golden. Should guests choose to stay somewhere else, Yamnuska is not responsible for missed days due to the inability to meet with the guide.
Meals are NOT included. At the Ramada Inn, a continental breakfast is included. Many restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel. The Kicking Horse River Lodge has a fully-equipped communal kitchen and a licensed cafe and sundeck. If you have specific dietary needs, we suggest you plan to bring at least a small amount of breakfast and lunch food to eat during the program.
Each day of the program you will need lunch, energy snacks, and plenty to drink.
Equipment & Clothing
The equipment and clothing you bring to this course will have a big impact on the quality of your experience. Please be sure to bring all the items listed. If unsure about anything please don’t hesitate to call and ask us!
Yamnuska supplies classroom materials, avalanche equipment, and specialized snow study equipment only. You will need to bring:
Skis & Boards
Alpine Touring skis are essentially ‘downhill skis’ with a special touring binding that allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then ‘locks down’ to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background in downhill.
Snow Boards can be used in this program. If ‘boarding’ you need to be an advanced boarder and you must use a ‘split’ board. A snowboard and snowshoe combination is NOT acceptable. Please don’t bring a board if you’ve never boarded in the backcountry before. Poles are essential for boarders.
Equipment List
- Skis / Split Board We recommend a short (160 – 185cm) wide ski designed for powder.
- Climbing skins ‘Stick-on type’
- Ski Poles
- Avalanche beacon (must be 457Khz frequency), loaners available (let us know if you need one).
- Ski/board boots
- Daypack (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & equipment)
- Shovel (lightweight snow shovel)
- Sunglasses and ski goggles
- Thermos flask and/or water bottle (full!)
- Sun cream
- Hand Sanitizer
- Pocket knife
- Small Blister and Personal 1ST-Aid Kit
- Helmet (recommended)
(Let us know in advance if you wish Yamnuska to provide a beacon, probe, or shovel for the field day)
Optional Equipment
Yamnuska supplies but feel free to bring anyway:
- Collapsible Avalanche Probe
- Snow Study Kit
Clothing List
There can be prolonged periods of inactivity in very cold temperatures on the field days. Don’t be afraid to bring too much! 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.
- Polypro underwear (top and bottom)
- Warm pants (insulated or fleece)
- Warm shirt (not cotton)
- Fleece Jacket (heavyweight)
- Insulated jacket or vest
- Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or nylon)
- Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex or nylon)
- Socks (wool outer and polypro liner)
- Wool or fleece hat
- Waterproof gloves and/or mitts
- Neck Tube/Buff
- Gaiters, are only needed if your ski pants are not elasticized at the ankle
- Sunhat
Guests registered in Yamnuska programs (4 days or less) can borrow outerwear from the Arc’teryx store in Banff at no cost. Available items include jackets, insulated layers, and bib pants (men’s & women’s sizes). Simply show proof of enrollment at the store.
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Alpha SV Jacket (Men’s & Women’s)
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Rush Jacket (Men’s & Women’s)
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Rush Bib Pant (Men’s & Women’s)
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Atom Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)
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Atom SL Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)
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Cerium Down Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)
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Nuclei Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)
Rental Information
Skis, Boots, Boards, Skins & Poles can be rented from:
- Canmore: Gear Up – 1302 Bow Valley Trail (403 678-1636)
- Banff: Mountain Magic – 224 Bear St. (Tel: 403 762-2591)
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require a $35% CDN deposit (including taxes) at the time of booking. The final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the program.
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 a rescue so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass which you can obtain on entry to Glacier National Park (cost $9).
Please familiarize yourself with our detailed booking instructions and conditions.
Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.
The Simpson Group offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical, and Personal Effect Loss for both Canadian and International Travelers. Other providers offer similar services and we encourage you to select an appropriate level of coverage. We highly recommend purchasing this insurance to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. The two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider are Medical and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.
Insurance Risk
One of the ways to mitigate risk is by purchasing appropriate insurance. Simpson Group Insurance Services who are travel & health risk specialists, work with technical and high-risk insurance solutions both in medical and non-medical spheres. We highly recommend that you review your insurance needs to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Simpson Group have a team standing by to answer any of your questions.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
While there is typically no charge for search & rescue in the National and Provincial Parks for active pass holders, costs such as air & ground ambulance after the rescue are not covered by your park pass. The chance of a large bill associated with this risk is a real possibility.
For Canadians
A common myth is that healthcare across provinces is fully covered. There are many things which do not carry interprovincial agreements. Ambulance services, medical evacuation, and some services which one province charges more than another you’d be responsible to pay the difference.
For Internationals
A common myth is that healthcare in Canada is free. Although it is less expensive than US healthcare, charges for non-residents can still be very high. Proper medical health insurance is essential if you were to get injured. Most coverages exclude rock climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, backcountry skiing and the like. Simpson Group can make sure all those risks are well covered.
Trip Cancellation/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, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment. We can assure you that circumstances do arise that prevent guests from participating in trips or courses and trip cancellation & interruption insurance is a relatively easy way to manage your level of risk of unforeseen events.
For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend Simpson Group Insurance Services. For more information and to purchase a plan, visit Simpson Group’s website.
Dates:
Price:
$1269 CDN includes instruction, books and use of safety and snow study equipment. Goods & Service s Tax (GST) is extra.
Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through the Simpson Group.
Please note you will be required to sign the Yamnuska Release of Liability, and Waiver of Claims prior to commencing the program. Please review the sample waiver prior to booking and call us with any questions.
Is it for you?
Participants should be advanced/intermediate skiers and should have had some backcountry skiing experience before the course. In the Yamnuska context, a minimum would be prior participation on our Intro to Backcountry Skiing, Wapta Traverse, or Intro to Ski Mountaineering trips.
‘Advanced intermediate’ means that you are comfortable making parallel turns on most terrain at a ski hill and that you have enough ski skills to deal safely with all but the most extreme terrain found at a ski hill (that is to say you can stop, turn around, then traverse out of areas you can’t handle). This should not be your first backcountry skiing trip.
You also need to be in good aerobic shape, as you will have to ‘skin’ up everything you ski down. You will be skiing with a daypack containing your lunch, water, avalanche gear, and spare clothing. We also offer this program based out of our office in Canmore, Alberta. See details.
This program is limited to participants 19 years and older unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and in which case approval must be given by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures.
Previous avalanche training is not required, however, to receive your AST 2 certificate you must have taken an AST 1 with Yamnuska or another provider in the past.
