Custom Avalanche Training 2025-26

Benefits of a Custom Avalanche Training program:

• complete flexibility in scheduling – you can choose your own date and time
• lower cost per/person – with larger groups, your cost is significantly reduced
• custom content – we work with each group to tailor the course content, delivery and structure to meet your needs
• set your own group size and participants – you are not forced to share your training course with anyone else

Custom Avalanche Training with Canada West Mountain School include:

• Your choice of dates for all instruction and training sessions
• Professional in-person instruction by CAA Professional or Active members
• on-snow practical field sessions in a backcountry environment
• class theory split between in-person sessions, and our Virtual Classroom
• All Avalanche Canada approved curriculum for AST courses
• Backcountry Avalanche Awareness manual (AST-2 includes optional textbooks)
• Avaluator V2 Decision Making package
• Avalanche Canada Industry-recognized Certificate of Completion for AST-1 or AST-2

Costs noted here for Custom AST programs do 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

(*) Custom 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.

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AST-1 Classic (16 hours)The AST-1 Classic course is suitable for skiers, split-boarders, snowmobilers, and snowshoers looking for a solid foundation of Avalanche Safety skills. This is our 2-day Classic Avalanche Safety course and can be held completely in Whistler; North Vancouver/Mt Seymour; or, at any location of your choice *.

Custom Classic AST-1 Cost (*):

• Group of 7-8 – $2,000 per group of up to 8 people
  $250 + GST per person based on 8 people/group
  $285 + GST per person based on 7 people/group (approx.)
• Group of 5-6 people – $1,650 per group of up to 6 people
  $275 + GST per person based on 6 people/group
  $330 + GST per person based on 5 people/group
• Group of 1-4 people – $1,500 per group of up to 4 people
  $375 + GST per person based on 4 people/group

 

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

Custom AST-1 PLUS is recommended for:

• Anyone who is venturing out on 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

Custom 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)

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Custom AST-2 (40 hours/4-daysFor people with previous Avalanche safety training, this course is suitable for skiers, boarders, and sledders wanting to progress to a more in-depth evaluation of terrain, snowpack, weather, and decision-making. The Custom 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 (*).

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

(*) – Custom 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.

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Specialized Custom Avalanche trainingIf you are looking for specific training for your group or organization, 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:

• School-based outdoor programs
• Small groups (less than 6)
• Groups with 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 arranging a Specialised AST program and the associated costs.