AST Refresher

Avalanche Refresher Course: $155. + GST
Included in Canada West Mountain School Avalanche Refresher course:

• 1 day of Avalanche instruction by our Avalanche Instructors
• Use of snow science kit supplied by CWMS
• Access to our Avi Gear rentals delivered to you on the course if needed

Are you taking your AST-1 with Canada West Mountain School during the 2024-25 season, or during the 2023/24 season? If so, all March and April 2025 AST Refresher dates are FREE for you! Just book and pay as usual, and submit proof of payment for your AST-1 course and you will receive a 100% refund after completing the AST Refresher course.

Avalanche Safety Equipment:
Transceiver, Shovel, and Probe are required for each person. Rentals are available through Canada West for $25. Rentals must be booked at the time of Registration, add “Avi Kit” when registering. The Canada West Avi Kit rentals will be supplied directly to you at your course – there are no hassles with going to another shop to pick them up or drop them off before the course!

CANCELLATIONS and TRANSFERS
Please click here for our Refund Policy

AST-1 Refresher dates – Mt Seymour 2024-25:

• December 7, 2024
• December 21, 2024
• January 18, 2025
• February 1, 2025
• March 8, 2025
• March 22, 2025
• March 29, 2025
• April 5, 2025

Our unique AST Refresher provides an opportunity to practice and refine your travel and decision-making skills using a more customized approach to ensure each student can get the most out of their Refresher day. Whether you take this as a refresher session or as an opportunity to build on your existing skills, this course will also help you keep up with new techniques, research, and safety tips.

The one-day Avalanche Safety Refresher emphasizes the development of travel  skills and decision making in avalanche terrain, to enhance your backcountry avalanche awareness and safety. The Avalanche Refresher sessions focus on developing the foundation skills taught in the AST-1 level courses.

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.

Backcountry Touring Gear
Proper backcountry touring skis, split-board, or snowshoes are required for the AST refresher course held on Mt Seymour.

Backcountry Ski and Split-board rentals
Canada West Mountain School has some awesome Partners who have stepped up with great gear rental options and offers this season!

• All Access Adventures – Lower Mainland Backcountry ski, splitboard and snowshoe rentals.
  Use Promo Code CWMSSTUDENT10 to receive 10% off all rentals at All Access Adventures Rentals. You can also contact Sarah at All Access Adventures directly by phone at 778-200-7600 for full details and availability.
• Valhalla Pure Outfitters (VPO) Squamish Backcountry Ski rentals
  Squamish-based Valhalla Pure Outfitters (VPO) has generously offered a 50% discount on all Backcountry ski rentals and Avalanche Safety gear Rentals while on an AST-1 or AST-2 course. Use Promo Code VPOAST2024 to save 50% off all rentals, you will also require proof of registration in your CWMS AST-1 course –Valhalla Pure Outfitters

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.

For all On-snow practical field sessions, proper backcountry touring skis and climbing skins are required; or, a split-board and climbing skins. Snowshoes may be used on courses held on Mount Seymour, Snowshoe-specific AST courses, Custom AST courses and some Regional courses. Please confirm in advance with our office if your AST-1 course is available to participate on using just snowshoes.

On some AST-1 course formats that include in-person theory sessions, you may require boots and clothing suitable for being outdoors in snow and/or rain for 2+ hours during the advance theory sessions. Please confirm with the Canada West Mountain School office in advance for your course.

What happens if the weather is not good?
Weather conditions in the mountains are constantly changing and we have developed many back-up options to accommodate poor weather. All the skills on our AST courses can be taught in virtually any conditions, without compromising the safety or integrity of the course, provided there is sufficient snow cover.

The best way to ensure that weather does not take away from your course is to be well prepared with good quality gear.

In the event that there is not enough snow in the field location, alternate locations will be used; or, the field sessions will be re-scheduled to another date. This is usually only a concern for early-season (November and early December) course dates.

Where are the Mt Seymour AST Refresher courses conducted?
Canada West Mountain School AST refreshers are conducted in the backcountry regions of Mount Seymour Provincial Park.

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

Plan on starting your course at 0700 at the pre-arranged meeting location and finishing around 4 pm, though specific course timing may vary and will be finalized 1-2 days in advance of your course dates by email.

The AST Refresher includes a backcountry touring objective suitable to the conditions, weather, and group ability levels. In addition, the day will be structured to also include a combination of practical skill upgrades such as Rescue techniques, snow test procedures, track setting skills, terrain assessment, hazard evaluation, and group management tactics.

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!

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

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

Basic/Intermediate skiing or snowboarding experience. Skiers and snowboarders should be comfortable skiing/riding down Blue level runs. Ski or splitboard touring equipment or snowshoes are needed. No previous avalanche training is required.