Whether you are taking your first steps into the backcountry or looking to increase your knowledge base, the Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 program is for you. Our professional guides will teach you how to plan and carry out a safe backcountry trip, read and use the avalanche bulletin, utilize the vast array of online resources at your disposal, and carry out a proficient rescue in the event of an accident.  

Our AST-1 course is designed to get you the skills you need to get up to speed quickly so you can maximize your fun and safety in the backcountry. 

Please contact us if you wish to book this as a private course for you and your friends or family. Custom dates are available

Our AST-1 course is now based on home learning combined with TWO full days spent in the mountains practicing valuable skills. 

Pre-Learning
We have moved our classrooms online! No more sitting in a stuffy classroom listening to lectures. This easy to use self-paced online course will provide you with the foundational knowledge to apply to your field days. All material must be completed before your first field day.

Day 1
Will be spent learning the fundamentals, getting familiar with your safety equipment and going on a short tour. You will learn all the necessary information to safely carry out a backcountry ski trip and learn the latest companion rescue techniques. 

Day 2
We expand on your learning from day one and carry out a full field day in either the Whitewater Ski Resort or Kootenay Pass Backcountry. You will put everything we learned on day one into practice. 

https://kootenaybackcountryguides.com/winter/avalanche-education/ast-1-2-day

Kootenay Backcountry Guides

If you’ve taken AST-1 and added some backcountry experience, AST-2 is your opportunity to develop, practice and refine more advanced skills. Progress beyond the basics with this Avalanche Canada course and additional MSAA curriculum.

Students spend one day in the classroom building on existing knowledge and concepts about snow science, terrain, weather, planning, and emergency management. The next three days are spent in the field with our most experienced guides, where classes dig into advanced snow assessment, stability tests, more complex ideas about decision making, trip planning and route finding, managing unforeseen events, and more challenging companion rescue scenarios.

Where AST-1 provides the fundamentals to start safely exploring, AST-2 builds on those with the skills, knowledge, and practice to start stepping into more challenging terrain, multi-day trips, exciting objectives, and is the capstone to your recreational avalanche education.

Course includes:

Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 Certificate (upon successful completion)
Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain Field book
Canadian Avalanche Association Mandatory Student Fee
Use of Snow Study Kit with Thermometer, Crystal Screen and Loupe
Recommended Reading: Students are encouraged to purchase ‘Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain’ to aid their learning
Lift Ticket *Days 2-4 only: If you do NOT currently possess a valid Whistler Blackcomb lift ticket (Seasons Pass, Spirit Pass, Edge Card, Epic Pass, etc.), you may buy a lift ticket through our office at checkout.

Looking to learn while being fully immersed in the backcountry? Check out our Hut Based AST2, which spends three days at the Kees & Claire Hut!

**All Courses subject to a minimum number of participants. 48 hour notice will be given if the minimum number has not been reached.

Mountain Skills Academy and Adventures

Learn from MSAA’s experienced guiding team, but closer to home. Avalanche Skills Training in Squamish is an opportunity to explore true Sea to Sky backcountry terrain, but without the added commute to Whistler or resort lift ticket. During the classroom session, our instructors cover the details of weather, snowpack formation, terrain, navigation, trip planning, and safe decision making.

Day two is held in the mountains behind Squamish. Guests can apply the theories from the classroom, how to assess terrain in the field, get their hands into the snowpack, learn to coordinate a fast effective companion rescue, and get the best tips and tricks for efficient mountain travel from our knowledgeable guides.

Course includes:

- 1.5 - 2hr pre-course using an online interactive learning platform
- Backcountry avalanche awareness book
- Avaluator booklet and avaluator slope assessment field card
- Canadian avalanche association mandatory student fee
- Companion rescue field card
- Use of snow study kit with thermometer, crystal screen and loupe
- Avalanche skills training level 1 certificate (upon successful completion)

Snowboarders: For this course we require that all snowboarders use a splitboard. We do not allow people to use snowshoes for this course.

**All Courses subject to a minimum number of participants. 48 hour notice will be given if the minimum number has not been reached.

Avalanche Skills Training 1 is designed by Avalanche Canada to build the core skills necessary for safe backcountry travel. MSAA’s highly experienced guides spend the first day diving into the fundamentals of snow science, terrain assessment, risk management, planning, and dealing with emergencies.

The first day is held indoors in a classroom to facilitate effective theory instruction. The day begins with a discussion of the online pre-course. Throughout the day there are also decision-making exercises and a navigation workshop.

Day two is all about getting on the snow, applying the ideas from day one, refining basic skills, and practicing new ones. Practice safe travel techniques, perform basic snowpack assessment, learn critical companion rescue skills, and change the way you look at terrain!

Course includes:

1.5 - 2hr pre-course using an online interactive learning platform
Backcountry avalanche awareness book
Avaluator booklet and avaluator slope assessment field card
Canadian avalanche association mandatory student fee
Companion rescue field card
Use of snow study kit with thermometer, crystal screen and loupe
Avalanche skills training level 1 certificate (upon successful completion)
Snowboarders: To facilitate smooth integration with skiers we require that all snowboarders use a splitboard and not snowshoes. If you plan on only travelling in the backcountry using snowshoes we reccomend our Snowshoe AST-1 Course.

Lift Ticket *Day 2 only: If you do NOT currently possess a valid Whistler Blackcomb lift ticket (Seasons Pass, Spirit Pass, Edge Card, Epic Pass, etc.), you may buy a Lift Ticket through our office at checkout.

**All Courses subject to a minimum number of participants. 48 hour notice will be given if the minimum number has not been reached.

If it’s been a while since you took AST1, or you’re just looking for a chance to sharpen some key skills before your next adventure, an Avalanche Skills Refresher is your opportunity to join an AST1 class's field day.

Start the day with pre-trip planning, and spend the rest practicing all the techniques you need to be a great teammate in the backcountry: route finding, terrain assessment, snow stability observations and companion rescue.

As a student with some AST experience, you will have the chance to demonstrate skills and to step into a leadership role during scenarios and practice.

If you have taken AST1 or an Avalanche Skills Refresher and want to continue your backcountry education, a Foundation Clinic or AST2 is the next step. Call our office to discuss the best options!

Important Information:

- AST1 is a prerequisite
- Touring skis/splitboard required. Rentals available.
- Lift ticket required (discounted lift ticket available through our office)
- Geared for intermediate, advanced and expert skiers or snowboarders
- Participants must be comfortable and confident in intermediate terrain [blue runs] in a variety of snow conditions. If you are unsure of your ability, please contact us for more information.
- Geared for those who want to explore the backcountry further

Lift Ticket: If you do NOT currently possess a valid Whistler Blackcomb lift ticket (Seasons Pass, Spirit Pass, Edge Card, Epic Pass, etc.), you may buy a Lift Ticket through our office at checkout.

**All Courses subject to a minimum number of participants. 48 hour notice will be given if the minimum number has not been reached.

**SPLIT WEEKENDS - Sat 7th, Sun 8th, Sat 14th, Sun 15th**

If you’ve taken AST-1 and added some backcountry experience, AST-2 is your opportunity to develop, practice and refine more advanced skills. Progress beyond the basics with this Avalanche Canada course and additional MSAA curriculum.

Students spend one day in the classroom building on existing knowledge and concepts about snow science, terrain, weather, planning, and emergency management. The next three days are spent in the field with our most experienced guides, where classes dig into advanced snow assessment, stability tests, more complex ideas about decision making, trip planning and route finding, managing unforeseen events, and more challenging companion rescue scenarios.

Where AST-1 provides the fundamentals to start safely exploring, AST-2 builds on those with the skills, knowledge, and practice to start stepping into more challenging terrain, multi-day trips, exciting objectives, and is the capstone to your recreational avalanche education.

Course includes:

Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 Certificate (upon successful completion)
Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain Field book
Canadian Avalanche Association Mandatory Student Fee
Use of Snow Study Kit with Thermometer, Crystal Screen and Loupe
Recommended Reading: Students are encouraged to purchase ‘Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain’ to aid their learning
Lift Ticket *Days 2-4 only: If you do NOT currently possess a valid Whistler Blackcomb lift ticket (Seasons Pass, Spirit Pass, Edge Card, Epic Pass, etc.), you may buy a lift ticket through our office at checkout.

Looking to learn while being fully immersed in the backcountry? Check out our Hut Based AST2, which spends three days at the Kees & Claire Hut!

**All Courses subject to a minimum number of participants. 48 hour notice will be given if the minimum number has not been reached.

At Stay Wild we value creating a supportive and inclusive environment for you to learn backcountry safety. Our courses include a custom online course for you to complete at your own leisure before the field day, an online meet-up with your instructor and a full day in the snow.

Stay Wild Backcountry Skills, Inc.

Please note, you must fill out the waiver acknowledgement BEFORE making a booking.

Curriculum: The Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 curriculum, developed by Avalanche Canada, is the essential first step in developing your decision making framework for venturing into winter backcountry avalanche terrain. This course includes 8 hours of classroom theory, and at least 8 hours practicing theory in the field.

At the end of the course you will:

Be able to recognize and appropriately travel through avalanche terrain
Interpret the avalanche forecast
Know how to use rescue equipment and the basics of companion rescue
Understand factors that affect the snowpack
Have the prerequisite certificate for the Avalanche Operations Level 1 course
The AST 1 course in Fernie is over 2 days, back-to-back. The full course dates can be viewed by selecting your preferred start date from the drop-down menu, followed by “Book Now”.

"We had an amazing day out ski touring with Mel reviewing avalanche knowledge and rescue techniques. Her tips and tricks will help me out in the years to come! Super friendly and knowledgeable!" - Sheri, AST 1 Participant

Mountain Addicts

Elevate Your Avalanche Safety Skills
Welcome back to the world of avalanche safety! If you’ve completed your AST 1 course and are eager to bolster your skills, our AST 1 Refresher Course is tailored just for you. This one-day field experience combines hands-on practice and online learning to ensure you’re equipped with the latest avalanche safety knowledge and techniques.

Course Highlights:
Hands-On Field Course: Immerse yourself in a full day of practical learning led by experienced instructors. Refresh your avalanche safety skills, practice rescue techniques, and enhance your ability to make informed decisions in the backcountry.

Comprehensive Online Learning: Gain access to our renowned online learning platform, thoughtfully curated by Judson Wright. This platform covers the entire AST 1 curriculum, allowing you to focus on specific lessons that you wish to review.

Flexible Learning: Our AST 1 Refresher Course offers flexibility. Work through the online material at your own pace before and after the field day. You’ll have continued access to the content to ensure you absorb the material thoroughly.

Skill Enhancement: Beyond refreshing your knowledge, the AST 1 Refresher Course is an opportunity to refine your skills, gain fresh perspectives, and strengthen your foundation of avalanche safety know-how.

Learning Outcomes:
Field Trip Planning: Develop the skills to plan safe and successful backcountry trips, considering factors like terrain, weather, and group dynamics.

Understanding the Avalanche Bulletin: Interpret and analyze the avalanche bulletin to make informed decisions about current avalanche conditions.

Companion Rescue Skills: Hone your skills in companion rescue techniques, ensuring you’re prepared to respond effectively in the event of an avalanche incident.

Avalanche Formation and Release: Deepen your understanding of how avalanches form and release, empowering you to identify potential hazards.

Avalanche Terrain Recognition and Management: Learn how to recognize avalanche-prone terrain and make informed decisions to manage risk.

Mountain Weather: Gain insights into mountain weather patterns and their impact on avalanche conditions and backcountry travel.

Pre-course Material  
We have created an online course for you that will help you prepare for your day. If you have taken our AST-1 course, this will mostly be a review for you.  If you are new to KBGuides and how we run our courses, we recommend that you do the whole online course. The course is structured so you can pick and choose what lessons you would like to refresh your knowledge on.

Meeting Times & Location
AST 1 Refresher Courses will be held at Kootenay Pass. 
Schedule: We aim to be back at our vehicles between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. ***Please note our time zone is PST

https://kootenaybackcountryguides.com/winter/avalanche-education/ast-1-refresher

Classroom Day in Canmore, Field Day in K-country or the Bow Valley.

Paramount Guides Inc.

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 get a series of online videos to watch 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. 

You can expect our professional guides to show you advanced methods for terrain analysis, companion rescue, route finding, skin track setting, map and GPS reading, and cover advanced weather forecasting. We will show you how to take relevant snowpack observations, including the compression test, and extended column test.

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. 

Please contact us if you wish to book this as a private course for you and your friends or family. Custom dates are available. 

Our AST-2 course is now based on home learning combined with FOUR full 8-hour field days. 

Pre-Learning
You will get a series of lectures to complete, quizzes to pass and online videos to watch two weeks before your course start date. You will be required to read and study the material before Day-1 of your course date.

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 hazard and go 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, assessing terrain and snowpack along the way.

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 hazard 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.

https://kootenaybackcountryguides.com/winter/avalanche-education/ast-2

Check out our Lodge Based AST 2 here: https://kootenaybackcountryguides.com/winter/avalanche-education/hut-based-ast-2

Classroom Day in Canmore. Field Days in different areas of Kananaskis, Banff, Kootenay and/or Yoho NP.

Course topics include avalanche terrain recognition, ava­lanche climatology, snow stability elevation, alpine touring practices, avalanche accidents and search and rescue techniques. This course is instructed by a qualified member of CAA.

Field day, Sunday, is at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. A ski pass to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is required for the field day. Must bring a shovel, transceiver, probe, and skis or snowboard.

College of the Rockies and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden, British Columbia

College Of The Rockies, Golden, BC

LODGE BASED AST LEVEL 2

Welcome to elevated learning!
Take your backcountry education to the next level with our Lodge-based AST-2. This course takes place in one of the most comfortable and equipped huts in the province, surrounded by the largest peaks in the Kootenays.

Join us on the learning experience of a lifetime!  
Spend fun-filled days learning core skills and relax in a fully equipped lodge in the evenings. We will spend four days and five nights in a beautiful backcountry lodge surrounded by incredible terrain. We are not talking about any old hut; enjoy hot and cold running water, bedding, plus a hot tub and sauna to unwind in!

We have an engaging and easy-to-use online learning platform where you complete the theory components of the course before you arrive at the lodge. This will allow you to fully immerse in the surrounding terrain and field components while at the lodge, greatly enhancing your learning experience. You will be required to complete the online portion before Day-1 of your course date.  

You must have taken the AST-1 course to enroll in this course.

https://kootenaybackcountryguides.com/winter/avalanche-education/hut-based-ast-2

**HUT BASED AST 2 - Kees & Claire Hut**

AST-2 is designed to tie together fundamentals from AST-1, some experience, and build on those to give students the advanced skills to explore further. After a day in the classroom, students spend three days and two nights in the field with an ACMG/IFMGA CAA Level 2 guide at one of several amazing alpine huts.

Our guides will show you new ways to observe terrain and plan for safe, efficient travel, more in-depth snow analysis and snow stability tests, how to plan for challenging objectives or multi-day adventures, and how to take a broader look at risk management strategies.

Progress from a basic backcountry traveler to someone who plans and thinks like a guide with this immersive four-day course. AST 2 consists of Avalanche Canada curriculum augmented with custom MSAA material to maximize your learning experience.

Course includes:

Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 Certificate (upon successful completion)
Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain Fieldbook
Canadian Avalanche Association Mandatory Student Fee
Use of Snow Study Kit with Thermometer, Crystal Screen and Loupe
Recommended Reading: Students are encouraged to purchase ‘Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain’ to aid their learning

Lift Ticket *Day 2 only: If you do NOT currently possess a valid Whistler Blackcomb lift ticket (Seasons Pass, Spirit Pass, Edge Card, Epic Pass, etc.), you may buy a Lift Ticket through our office at checkout.

Food: Please note that food is not included within this course.

**All Courses subject to a minimum number of participants. 48 hour notice will be given if the minimum number has not been reached.

***JAN 25-26 2025 LADIES ONLY WITH TAMMY STRAUS***

Whether you are taking your first steps into the backcountry or looking to increase your knowledge base, the Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 program is for you. Our professional guides will teach you how to plan and carry out a safe backcountry trip, read and use the avalanche bulletin, utilize the vast array of online resources at your disposal, and carry out a proficient rescue in the event of an accident.  

Our AST-1 course is designed to get you the skills you need to get up to speed quickly so you can maximize your fun and safety in the backcountry. 

Please contact us if you wish to book this as a private course for you and your friends or family. Custom dates are available

Our AST-1 course is now based on home learning combined with TWO full days spent in the mountains practicing valuable skills. 

Pre-Learning
We have moved our classrooms online! No more sitting in a stuffy classroom listening to lectures. This easy to use self-paced online course will provide you with the foundational knowledge to apply to your field days. All material must be completed before your first field day.

Day 1
Will be spent learning the fundamentals, getting familiar with your safety equipment and going on a short tour. You will learn all the necessary information to safely carry out a backcountry ski trip and learn the latest companion rescue techniques. 

Day 2
We expand on your learning from day one and carry out a full field day in either the Whitewater Ski Resort or Kootenay Pass Backcountry. You will put everything we learned on day one into practice. 

https://kootenaybackcountryguides.com/winter/avalanche-education/ast-1-2-day