Day-2 is a full day in the field working on snowpack, terrain, travel and rescue skills.

AST-1 courses include all avalanche safety equipment!

Please also see our AST-1 PLUS for a longer course held on Seymour and Whistler, and our AST-1 Whistler for courses held completely in Whistler.

Dates for Skiers and Snowboarders (2009/10 season):
Classroom and field sessions are held on Mount Seymour unless otherwise noted.

November 28-29, 2009
December 5-6, 2009
December 12-13, 2009
December 19-20, 2009
January 2-3, 2010
January 16-17, 2010 Full
January 23-24, 2010 New date - space available
January 30-31, 2010 spaces available
February 6-7, 2010 spaces available
February 13-14, 2010 spaces available
February 20-21, 2010 spaces available
February 27-28, 2010 spaces available
March 6-7, 2010 spaces available
March 20-21, 2010 spaces available

The field days are held in the backcountry behind Mount Seymour. Occasionally, alternate locations may be used such as Whistler/Blackcomb, Diamond Head near Squamish, or the Coquihalla Pass near Hope.

Guides and Instructors
All Instructors on our Avalanche courses are Active or Professional Members of the CAA (Canadian Avalanche Association) and hold Level I or Level II Professional Certification with the CAA. Additionally, Canada West Mountain School staff are dedicated educators who are experienced in teaching these skills and conducting well run, professional courses.

All CWMS staff also attend regular Industry training and have advanced 1st aid training, and many of the Instructors in our Avalanche Training program are also professional Guides certified through the ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides).

Itinerary/Objectives
This course focuses on teaching practical methods of understanding, recognizing and avoiding avalanche hazards, including terrain evaluation, snowpack structure, weather, safe route finding and avalanche rescue techniques.

Our format includes 6 hours of theory and 10 hours of practical fieldwork. The theory sessions include pre-requisite reading that ideally is done before the course (manuals are issued at time of registration). Theory topics include:

avalanche hazard recognition
avalanche terminology
avalanche mechanics
mountain weather
snowpack structure
basic terrain evaluation
equipment requirements

The initial theory session also will prepare you for the field sessions so that your time in the field is used most efficiently. Evening session dates are marked with an asterisk *.

Your field days are spent in the backcountry where you will have maximum time to focus on learning and practicing skills, including:

terrain evaluation
mountain hazard assessment
safe route finding techniques
snowpack analysis
snow testing techniques
transceiver searches
rescue fundamentals

The final wrap up evening sessions are an important aspect of Canada West Mountain School programs, as this allows students an opportunity to "put all the pieces together" in a classroom session after the field sessions have finished.

At the end of your course, you are encouraged to discuss with your instructor the content that has been covered, and to have the instructor assess your level of knowledge - we would prefer that you know your abilities now, rather than find out the hard way, later!

• Touring skis, split snowboard; or, snow shoes and snowboard. Alpine Trekker touring inserts for alpine skis are acceptable if you are experienced with them (Trekkers and climbing skins are available for rent from CWMS)
• Boots - touring boots appropriate to your bindings. Regular alpine boots may be fine as long as they are not a tight fitting race boot.
• Poles
• Climbing skins for skis or split board
• Daypack, approx 30 liters capacity suitable for carrying all required gear. Snowboarders must have a pack that can hold a snowboard for the ascents
• Hard shell outer layer jacket with hood - Gore-Tex
  
• Outer shell pants or bibs - Gore-Tex style recommended for ventilation while touring
• Personal clothing layers that are adjustable and suitable for all conditions
• Gaiters (unless your ski pants have built-in gaiters or snow-cuffs)
• Gloves plus one pair extra
• Warm parka - down, fleece or pile
• Sweater or vest - wool, fleece or down
• Toque/warm hat - wool or fleece
• Sunglasses
• Ski goggles
• Misc. personal items (camera, journal, etc.)
• Water bottle/hydration system w/insulation - min. 1 liter

Please go over this list before the course to ensure that you are properly prepared. Contact our office if you have any questions, and we can suggest places for you to purchase or rent equipment if needed. Keep in mind that you will be spending all of your time outdoors in the snow in cold conditions (-5 to -20), and that the weather can vary from one extreme to the other. It is recommended that you also have a set of spare street clothes for the end of the course after you have left the mountains.

Students are responsible for getting to and from the course areas. The first session will start at Mount Seymour at 0745, unless other arrangements are made at the time of registration. You will receive instructions for the specific meeting points for the first day of your course.

Students are reminded of the importance of arriving 10-15 minutes early to the course sessions. The field sessions will start promptly at the times indicated - latecomers will risk missing the field sessions as once the group has departed there are no options to join them in the field at a later time.