All courses (230)

This is the full-meal deal. Between them Terry Palechuk and Brad Harrison have over 50 years working in the backcountry. Terry is the chair of Avalanche Canada's Instructor Training Committee. Brad is the past-chair of the Infoex Advisory Committee. Please go to www.colwest.ca for more details on our program and background information on the instructors.

Our program doesn't take any shortcuts, you will get full value and thorough instruction while learning how to travel safely in the backcountry and having FUN! Want a professional course with instructors that are intent on sharing their knowledge and experience with you? This is it.

Our popular AST-2 course over 2 weekends allows you to track changes in the snowpack over an 8-day period. The foundation of avalanche safety is terrain, and our unique format gets you exploring terrain in 4 alpine locations including the Duffey Lake region, Whistler, Blackcomb and Seymour. Taught by Professional Members of the Canadian Avalanche Association and industry experts, our AST-2 is designed for skiers and boarders seeking adventures that require travel in Challenging or Complex Terrain. https://themountainschool.com/program/ast-2-2-weekends-2018/

Sat - Sun, Feb. 4 - Feb. 5, Sat - Sun, Feb. 11 - Feb. 12, 2023

The Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 course is designed for the serious and experienced winter backcountry user. This course expands on the theories and principles established at the AST 1+ level course or those who already have a solid understanding of snow avalanche principles. The program incorporates extensive practical field sessions in real avalanche terrain implementing a systematic approach for assessing and evaluating the potential avalanche hazard.

Extremely Canadian’s AST 2 is presented as four field days with online support. Based on weather, snow conditions, and group abilities, each course will be tailored to fit the needs of the students and guidelines set by Avalanche Canada.

The world's highest avalanche course?

Freeriding adventure into the largest mountains on the planet with a focus on teaching you how to stay safe in the backcountry. Combining a breadth of knowledge Di5 and Snow Safety Australia have collaborated to offer what is possibly the world’s highest avalanche course!

Your gateway to the backcountry. Get off the chairlift and get out there!

Your course begins with self-paced online learning from the comfort of your own home. Then meet with your group in a short evening session to review essential concepts and discuss your backcountry plans.

Two field days begin at Whitewater Ski Resort - exploring decision making, avalanche dynamics and self-rescue skills while moving through backcountry avalanche terrain. Learn how to make the most of your backcountry adventures while staying safe, all in a supportive learning environment.

This structure provides great value and sets you up for success with maximum time spent outside on backcountry skills.

Find more information and FAQ's here:

https://skiwhitewater.com/lessons-programs/professional-courses/avalanche-education/avalanche-skills-training-1/

Our courses are taught with every precaution not to get COVID. You must be onboard with the measures recommended by science to ensure we have a great course minus COVID period. If this is you, please continue reading.

The Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Level 2 Course will provide an intermediate level decision-making framework that is based on the most advanced knowledge available. It is suitable for use by people with a moderate degree of training and experience.

Each day is outside followed by 4 evening classroom sessions - long days but a great course.

Thank you for your interest in AST courses offered through Kootenay Avalanche Courses. The focus will be toward maximizing safety and fun in the winter backcountry. Be prepared for an engaging and interactive time. Think of the AST as a two part program. AST1 prepares you to be an active participant in a group of backcountry recreationists. AST2 helps prepare you to be a leader of a group.

https://kootenayavalanchecourses.com/courses/

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (AST1) for Skiers & Snowboarders. This 2-day course ensures you acquire the fundamentals critical to safe backcountry travel. This includes pre-trip planning, backcountry equipment, snowpack and avalanche hazard assessment, terrain selection and avalanche rescue skills. The first day is an indoor theory day and the second day is a backcountry field day.

This course is designed for skiers and snowboarders who wish to venture into the backcountry to learn about hazards and how to manage them. Our student to guide ratio is 8:1 as this ensures maximum safety and learning. Lift ticket is not included in the course price.

The world's highest avalanche course?

Freeriding adventure into the largest mountains on the planet with a focus on teaching you how to stay safe in the backcountry. Combining a breadth of knowledge Di5 and Snow Safety Australia have collaborated to offer what is possibly the world’s highest avalanche course!

AST 2 Ski: Day 1 is face to face classroom, followed by 3 field day trips

AST2 from the Island’s most experienced mountain professionals.

https://kootenaybackcountryguides.com/avalanche-education/ast-2

Are you ready to take your learning to the next level?

No more following your friends and being unsure of yourself. This 4-day course is designed to give you the foundation needed for a lifetime of safety in the backcountry. You will need to complete your online pre-learning course, comprised of a series of lectures, videos, discussions, and quizzes that review and expand on the lessons learned in the AST-1. We follow this with FOUR full field days in classic backcountry locations throughout the Kootenays.

The AST-2 course is for students who are looking to get professional-level decision-making tools and processes so they can find the best snow and increase their safety.

What you will learn:

-Advanced methods for terrain analysis

-Companion rescue

-Route finding

-Skin track setting

-Map, and GPS reading

-Advanced weather forecasting

-We will show you how to take relevant snowpack observations, including the compression test, and extended column test.

The KBG Method: Online pre-learning combined with FOUR field days.

Pre-Learning

We have moved our classrooms to online with no mandatory zoom meetings! We understand that everyone has busy lives and commitments, so we made our online self-paced where you can set your own schedule and take your time to absorb all the information to apply to your field days. All material must be completed before your first field day (about 8-10 hours).

Day 1

Is spent reviewing key lessons from the AST-1, covering advanced companion rescue skills, and introduction to snowpack tests. We will do a short tour to an area where we can run companion rescue scenarios and get snowpack information. We will plan out our backcountry trip for the following day at either Kootenay Pass or the Whitewater Ski Resort backcountry.

Day 2

We will have a short morning meeting covering the weather and avalanche hazards and going over our route plan for the day. We will then head into the backcountry and begin putting all of our built-on skills into practice by having a full day of touring, and assessing terrain, and snowpack.

Day 3

We will have a short morning meeting covering the weather and avalanche hazard and go over our route plan for the day. We will then head into the backcountry and begin to put you into the driver’s seat, making decisions with the aid of our expert guides. We will start to get you to gather your own snowpack information and assess terrain. At the end of the day we will plan our trip for the next day.

Day 4

We will have a short morning meeting covering the weather and avalanche hazards and go over our route plan for the day. Class members will be more involved in the planning and decision-making on this tour. The guide will take on more of a support role and assist you in planning and carrying out a backcountry ski tour.

Avalanche Skills Training – AST 2

Boost your avalanche skills to the next level for some serious fun...

The AST 2 will deepen your knowledge, broaden your perspective and refine your decision making skills in avalanche terrain. This 3 & 1/2 day program is the next logical step after completing the AST 1. Similar topics will be covered with more in-depth emphasis on adapting personal exposure relative to changing conditions & ongoing field observations.

This course provides the highest recreational avalanche training in Canada and is a good stepping stone for folks seeking further Industry Training Programs. It follows Avalanche Canada’s program, goals, and objectives. For more details and photos, click on the link provided. Intermediate Backcountry Skills and Intermediate to Advanced Downhill Skiing Skills are required. (Avalanche safety gear, touring equipment, and/or Split board are required).

Students who have not taken avalanche training in awhile should consider doing the recently developed Managing Avalanche Terrain course (MAT) or the Companion Rescue Skills course (CRS). These one day programs gives you opportunity to review and refresh your skills, get modern information about new avalanche equipment as well as discover updated trip planing and rescue techniques.

This course is essential for anyone travelling in or around avalanche terrain in winter and is intended to be a first step toward safely managing backcountry travel. Avalanche Skills Training 1 is suitable for aspiring backcountry skiers and split boarders, snowshoe hikers, ice and alpine climbers, and snowmobile enthusiasts.

What you will learn:

• Avalanche formation and release

• Avalanche terrain identification

• Trip-planning basics

• Optimal use of tools and resources like avalanche forecasts to mitigate avalanche risk

• Appropriate travel techniques in avalanche terrain

• Intro to companion rescue

You will be provided with a link to a home study seminar, then attend a classroom session on Thursday evening and a full-day practical field session on the weekend with an instructor certified by the Canadian Avalanche Association.

Attendance at the classroom session and the field day is mandatory, as is completion of the knowledge quiz.

Our Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 course (AST 1+) provides an entry-level decision-making framework for recreational skiers and snowboarders in winter backcountry avalanche terrain. This comprehensive 2.5 day program is a blend of practical field days with indoor theory and review based on curriculum as established by the Avalanche Canada.

Our AST 1 course is a combo of our custom online course + evening online meet up + field day. At Stay Wild we provide a comfortable & supportive learning environment for you to learn & build your backcountry skill set.

The Avalanche Skills Training 2 – AST 2 course is your next step in avalanche skills development after completing an introductory course. To fully enjoy the backcountry it’s crucial you understand avalanche phenomena, recognize the terrain where avalanches occur and find routes that minimize risk. Our AST 2 course addresses these issues over a comprehensive four day training period.

This is a hands-on course featuring extensive practical field experience augmented with one day of classroom theory and discussions.

This introductory Avalanche Skill Training Level 1 will be hosted by Innerspace Watersports in Vernon. Those looking to learning more about Backcountry safety and preparation will benefit from this 2 day course. The only gear each participant will require is there Reliable Snow Bike or Snowmobile and a Transceiver, Shovel and Probe. Limited Rentals Available.

Please Sign up @ www.avaware.ca

With over 35 years of experience running Avalanche Skills courses in the Whistler backcountry, we offer the highest standard of Avalanche Skills training. Our AST-1 Classic Whistler course includes 2 full field days in the alpine to give you the most time practicing outdoors, not in a classroom. Designed specifically for the needs of skiers and boarders in Whistler, our AST-1 is updated to include our customized Virtual Classroom theory sessions in advance of 2-days in the backcountry. This combo allows us to deliver one of the best Avalanche Skills Training experiences available. https://themountainschool.com/program/ast-1-whistler-2018/

Over 40 years of the best avalanche safety instruction on the North Shore Mountains! Our Classic AST-1 Seymour course is conducted over two days plus self-paced E-learning in advance through our Virtual Classroom and includes practical field-based learning in the backcountry of Mount Seymour Provincial Park. This combo allows us to deliver a solid Avalanche Skills Training course, with our AST-1 exceeding the minimum requirements set by Avalanche Canada for AST-1 courses. https://themountainschool.com/program/ast-1-mt-seymour-2018/

Snowmobile AST 1 in Valemount/McBride, BC

This date is your field day.

The class part is done online before your field day at your own pace.

email us with any questions. Course@hangfiretraining.com

www.HangfireTraining.com

Snowmobile AST 1 in Golden, BC

This date is your field day.

The class part is done online before your field day at your own pace.

email us with any questions. Course@hangfiretraining.com

www.HangfireTraining.com

This course is for the skier/boarder that is wanting to step up their avalanche skills in the beautiful environment of a backcountry lodge. Only students with significant backcountry experience are qualified to attend. See prerequisites for minimum requirements on the Kootenay Avalanche Courses AST2++ information page. The Hilda week is right in the middle of February, a perfect time to be in the backcountry. You will be spoiled with luxurious accommodation, delicious catered meals, sauna, and terrain that is revered by backcountry skiers in the know. The price includes: 1 night accommodation in Nakusp, 7 nights accommodation at Hilda Lodge, Round-trip Helicopter transfers, Fully-catered meals and your AST2++ course. The course runs from November - April with season-long mentorship via monthly Zoom meetings. For more information, see:

https://kootenayavalanchecourses.com/course/hilda-lodge/

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (AST1) for Skiers & Snowboarders. This 2-day course ensures you acquire the fundamentals critical to safe backcountry travel. This includes pre-trip planning, backcountry equipment, snowpack and avalanche hazard assessment, terrain selection and avalanche rescue skills. The first day is an indoor theory day and the second day is a backcountry field day.

This course is designed for skiers and snowboarders who wish to venture into the backcountry to learn about hazards and how to manage them. Our student to guide ratio is 8:1 as this ensures maximum safety and learning. Lift ticket is not included in the course price.

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (AST1) for Skiers & Snowboarders. This 2-day course ensures you acquire the fundamentals critical to safe backcountry travel. This includes pre-trip planning, backcountry equipment, snowpack and avalanche hazard assessment, terrain selection and avalanche rescue skills. The first day is an indoor theory day and the second day is a backcountry field day.

This course is designed for skiers and snowboarders who wish to venture into the backcountry to learn about hazards and how to manage them. Our student to guide ratio is 8:1 as this ensures maximum safety and learning. Lift ticket is not included in the course price.