AST-1 Snowshoers

2024-25 Snowshoe AST dates
If the date you choose is unavailable, please contact our office for wait-list option. Private dates can also be arranged.

Starred dates (*) below are evening Zoom class sessions. Unless otherwise noted (i.e. during Christmas Holidays), evening Zoom class sessions are conducted on the Wednesday night prior to the scheduled field session, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.. Zoom class sessions are required in order to receive the AST-1 Certification at the completion of your course

• November 23, 2024 (*) Nov 20 Zoom
• November 30, 2024 (*) Nov 27 Zoom
• December 7, 2024 (*) Dec 4 Zoom
• December 14, 2024 (*) Dec 11 Zoom
• December 21, 2024 (*) Dec 18 Zoom
• December 23, 2024 (mid-week) (*) Dec 18 Zoom
• December 28, 2024 (*) Dec 26 Zoom
• January 4, 2025 (*) Jan 1 Zoom
• January 4, 2025 (*) Jan 1 Zoom
• January 11, 2025 (*) Jan 8 Zoom
• January 25, 2025 (*) Jan 22 Zoom

Our AST-1 Classic Snowshoe course is built on more than 40 years of experience conducting Avalanche Skills safety training to the highest standard possible. The Snowshoe AST-1 courses include a unique and enhanced online learning module through our Virtual Classroom, allowing for greater flexibility and improved learning options.

The Seymour AST-1 Classic Snowshoers course focuses on teaching practical methods of understanding, recognizing and avoiding avalanche hazards, including terrain evaluation, effective decision making, group management, safe route finding, snowpack structure, weather, and avalanche rescue techniques.

The AST-1 format includes:

• 7 hours of theory, split between Virtual Online learning, in-person Zoom class, and during the field session
• 1 full day (7:00am to 4:00pm) of training combining outdoor practice and on-snow field work in the backcountry
• 2 Manuals are included in the course and are an integral part of the course content:
• the “Avalanche Skills Training Handbook”
• the “Avaluator V.2″ decision making guide”

Our AST-1 course content and materials have been developed and refined over the past 40 years and are based on the nationally-recognized AST-1 curriculum developed by Avalanche Canada.

Theory topics include:

• avalanche hazard recognition
• avalanche terminology
• decision making and human factors
• avalanche mechanics
• mountain weather
• snowpack structure
• basic terrain evaluation
• equipment requirements
• introduction to Avalanche Companion Rescue

The initial theory sessions also will prepare you for the practical field sessions, to ensure that your time in the field is used most efficiently.

Skills and topics covered on the practical field training include:

• terrain evaluation
• mountain hazard assessment
• group management
• effective decision making in Avalanche Terrain
• safe route finding techniques
• snowpack analysis
• snow testing techniques
• transceiver searches
• rescue fundamentals

Avalanche Skills Course Gear List
Review this list before the course start date – Canada West Mountain School Avalanche Course Gear List. Everyone needs to be fully prepared for any/all winter conditions, the course will be conducted in all weather including low temperatures, high winds, and rain/snow.

Avalanche Safety Gear and Rentals
A Transceiver (digital 3-antennae model), Avalanche shovel, and Avalanche probe are required for each person. Please review your transceiver operating instructions before arriving on your course, and double-check battery strength.

If you require Avalanche Safety Gear, Canada West Mountain School maintains a large rental inventory of avalanche safety equipment exclusively for our students. Our “On-Course” Avi Kit Rentals are only $40 for a 2-day AST course and include a Transceiver, Shovel, and Probe for both days of your course.

The Canada West “On-Course” Avi Kit rentals will be supplied directly to you on your course – there are no hassles with going to another shop to pick them up or drop them off! Please book your rentals at the time of AST Course Registration, add “Avi Kit” when registering as they are often booked out by the time the course runs.

Due to technical issues, if the Avi Kit option is not visible during registration, please add a note in the Comments section of your booking form during checkout and we will add the rentals to your order.

Proper backcountry snowshoes and good winter boots are required for the field session; you will be off of your snowshoes and in deep snow for much of the training, so good footwear/winter boots are essential. Ski/trekking poles with baskets are recommended.

Do I need to bring special gear?
You will require an Avalanche Safety kit (avalanche transceiver (beacon), collapsible avalanche shovel, and a probe). In addition, everyone needs to be fully prepared for spending extended periods of time out in winter conditions. Canada West Mountain School has Avalanche Safety Kits available for rent, please book this at time of registration as they are often booked out by the time the course runs.

Snowshoes and proper winter boots are required for the field sessions. Snowshoes are available for rent, please request your rentals in advance.

On the practical field session of the course, you will require boots and clothing suitable for being outdoors for a full day in all weather conditions including snowfall, rain, high winds and cold temperatures.

What happens if the weather is not good?
Weather and snow conditions in the mountains are constantly changing and we have developed many back-up options to accommodate poor weather and/or poor snowpack conditions. All the skills on our AST courses can be taught in virtually any weather conditions, without compromising the safety or integrity of the course. We do require an adequate snowpack depth for the field session though, to run our AST-1 course. If there is not sufficient snow to run the course on your date, we will notify all course participants in advance to review options.

If the snowpack and/or weather conditions are such that we cannot conduct a good quality field session at any of our field locations, we will allow all students to re-schedule onto a future AST-1 Snowshoers field session date of their choice. The decision to postpone the field session may not be made until 1-2 days in advance of the course dates, to allow for the latest snow and weather reports.

Also, the best way to ensure that weather does not take away from your course is to be well prepared with good quality gear. If you have any questions after reading over the Gear list, please contact our office.

Where are the Vancouver-Mt Seymour AST-1 courses conducted?
We conduct the theory training for our AST-1 course via our Virtual Online classroom, and during a 2-hour Zoom session in advance of the field day.

The practical field sessions are typically held in the Backcountry region behind Mount Seymour or above Squamish in the Diamond Head region of Garibaldi Park.

Occasionally, alternate locations may be used such as Whistler/Blackcomb, Duffey Lake Road area, or the Coquihalla Pass near Hope.

How long are the days?
Our field sessions are typically completed by 3 pm, with an afternoon session to wrap up the course, usually finishing between 4-5 pm. Of course, this will vary due to weather and daily objectives, but plan on finishing at 5 pm at the latest.

Basic/Intermediate snowshoeing experience required. No previous avalanche training is required. The field session may involve approx. 600 meters of elevation gain and 10 kms of travel, though most days are much shorter than that.

On-snow field sessions are conducted at 1:8 ratio to maintain safety and course quality.

Waiver & Medical Disclosure Forms
Participants on Canada West Mountain School programs must complete the following:

• Canada West Mountain School Waiver form
• Avalanche Canada Waiver (online review only, must be signed in person on Day 1 of the course)

Cancellation & Transfer policy
Review the CWMS cancellation and transfer policy:

• Canada West Mountain School Refund/Transfer Policy