AST-1 Classic (16 hours)
This course is suitable for skiers, split-boarders, snowmobilers and snowshoers looking for a solid foundation of Avalanche Safety skills. The Classic AST-1 course can be held completely in Whistler; North Vancouver (Mt Seymour); or, at any location of your choice *.

The Classic AST-1 course includes:
- 16 hours/2 days of instruction by CAA Professional or Active members
- Instruction split between 1 on-snow practical field session, and 6+ hours of class theory
- All Avalanche Canada approved curriculum for AST-1 course
- Backcountry Avalanche Awareness manual
- Avaluator V2 Decision Making package
- Avalanche Canada Industry-recognized Certificate of completion for AST-1

Private Classic AST-1 Cost (*):

• Group of 7-8 - $1,800 per group of up to 8 people
  $225 + GST per person based on 8 people/group
  $255 + GST per person based on 7 people/group (approx.)
• Group of 5-6 people - $1,530 per group of up to 6 people
  $255 + GST per person based on 6 people/group
  $305 + GST per person based on 5 people/group (approx.)
• Group of 1-4 people - $1,400 per group of up to 4 people
  $350 + GST per person based on 4 people/group

Cost does not include the following:
- transportation to/from course areas
- lift access fees (if applicable)
- food
- accommodation (if applicable)
- avalanche safety equipment (rentals are available on request)
- personal equipment, unless otherwise arranged
- ski touring, split board or snowshoeing equipment

Please review the Canada West Mountain School Avalanche course Gear List here - Avalanche Course Gear List

(*) - All Private courses held at locations outside of North Vancouver/Mt. Seymour may have additional costs associated with travel and classrooms. Contact our office directly for full details and pricing.

AST-1 PLUS (20 hours)
This is our original Avalanche Safety course that we pioneered in the 1980's. The AST-1 PLUS course earns it's reputation by giving students 2 class sessions and two full days in the field in completely separate backcountry regions to provide a contrast in terrain, snowpack and weather patterns to provide the best possible learning environment.

AST-1 PLUS is recommended for:
- Anyone who is venturing out on overnight touring trips into more remote regions
- People who are looking to travel into un-rated terrain
- People looking for a course with maximum practical time in the field
- Climbers/mountaineers needing more "slope-specific" terrain and snowpack observation skills
- People with some previous basic avalanche skills already

The AST-1 PLUS course includes:
- 20 hours/2.5 days of instruction by CAA Professional or Active members
- Instruction at 2 different regions in order to experience different terrain and snowpack conditions
- Increased field time for in-depth snow observations techniques
- Avalanche Canada approved curriculum for AST-1 course
- Backcountry Avalanche Awareness manual
- Avaluator V2 Decision Making package
- Avalanche Canada Industry-recognized Certificate of completion

Private AST-1 PLUS Cost:

• Group of 7-8 - $2,200 per group of up to 8 people
  ($275. + GST per person based on 8 people/group)
• Group of 5-6 people - $1,800 per group of up to 6 people
  ($300 + GST per person based on 6 people/group)
• Group of 1-4 people - $1,400 per group of up to 4 people
  ($350. + GST per person based on 4 people/group)

Cost does not include the following:
- transportation to/from course areas
- lift access fees (if applicable)
- food
- accommodation (if applicable)
- avalanche safety equipment (rentals are available on request)
- personal equipment, unless otherwise arranged
- ski touring, split board or snowshoeing equipment

Please review the Canada West Mountain School Avalanche course Gear List here - Avalanche Course Gear List

(*) - All Private courses held at locations outside of North Vancouver/Mt. Seymour may have additional costs associated with travel and classrooms. Contact our office directly for full details and pricing.

Advanced AST-2 - (40 hours/4-days)
For people with previous Avalanche safety training, this course is suitable for skiers and boarders wanting to progress to more in-depth evaluation of terrain, snowpack, weather and decision making. The Advanced AST-2 course is ideally conducted using a variety of different terrain locations - typically Whistler, Vancouver/Mt Seymour and/or a backcountry location off the Duffey Lake road area, though we can also conduct this course at any location of your choice throughout BC (*).

The AST-2 course includes:
- 40 hours of instruction by CAA Professional members
- Minimum of 3 days instruction with practical field-based backcountry touring
- 8 hours of theory split between in-person and Virtual Classroom E-learning exercises
- Avalanche Canada approved curriculum for AST-2 course
- Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain field book/manual
- Avalanche Canada Industry-recognized Certificate of completion for AST-2

Private AST-2 Cost (*): $575 per person (based on group size of 6, pricing varies for smaller groups)

Cost does not include the following:
- transportation to/from course areas
- lift access fees (if applicable)
- food
- accommodation (if applicable)
- avalanche safety equipment (rentals are available on request)
- personal equipment, unless otherwise arranged
- ski touring, split board or snowshoeing equipment

Please review the Canada West Mountain School Avalanche course Gear List here - Avalanche Course Gear List

(*) - All Private AST-2 courses held at locations outside of Whistler/North Vancouver/Mt. Seymour may have additional costs associated with travel and classrooms. Contact our office directly for full details and pricing.

Customized Avalanche training

We will work with you and your team to develop exactly the right program in terms of content, delivery, schedule, student to instructor ratios, location and anything else that you want to customize.

Recommended for:
- Small groups (less than 6)
- People who wish to focus on specific areas of expertise (e.g. Search and Rescue; extreme terrain; expeditionary concerns, etc.)
- People with previous avalanche skills already looking for a modified course format
- Anyone wishing to combine skills such as Winter or Ice Climbing, Ski instruction, etc.
- Students requiring a 1-day Avalanche Awareness course or Refresher course.

Cost: Contact our office directly to discuss this program option.