AST-1 Seymour (Midweek)

AST-1 Shovel compression test
Avalanche test pit
Avalanche Danger scale
Avalanche Test Pit in Whistler

Skip the crowds and save your weekends by taking a Mid-week AST-1! All Canada West AST-1 Courses on Mt Seymour include 2 full days of in-person training plus unlimited access to our unique custom designed AST-1 training in our Virtual Classroom before and after your course. We have been conducting cutting edge Avalanche Safety training for over 40 years, on the North Shore Mountains, Mount Seymour and the Sea to Sky region! We continue to focus on delivering the best possible Avalanche Skills Training courses for all users, with our AST-1 exceeding the minimum requirements set by Avalanche Canada for AST-1 courses.

Register Today

$295.00

Avalanche Canada Logo

Canada West Mountain School is an Authorized AST Provider

To organise a Private AST course, click Custom AST programs

Dates:
2024-25 Season dates
Mid-week dates are listed below. AST-1 includes self-paced online learning (required).

If the date you choose is unavailable, please contact our office for wait-list options. Private dates can also be arranged.

Ratio:
1:8
Pre Requisites:
Intermediate skiing or snowboarding experience. Touring equipment or snowshoes w/snowboard required. No previous avalanche training required.
Options:
Avi Kit (2 day)
$40.00
Category:

  • Vancouver & Seymour AST-1 Classic Course: $295. + GST
    Included in all Canada West Mountain School AST-1 Classic Seymour courses:

    • 2 days of practical in-person instruction including 1 full day in the backcountry of Mt Seymour Provincial Park.
    • 3 hrs of self-directed online learning through the Canada West Virtual Classroom
    • FREE Refresher course - all students on Canada West Mountain School AST-1 courses are eligible to join any AST Refresher course during March and April of the season that they take their course, for free!
    • Avalanche Manual "Avalanche Skills Training Handbook"
    • AST-1 Certificate issued by Avalanche Canada
    • Avaluator V.2 Manual and decision making card
    • Course student handouts and reference materials
    • Access to our "On-Course" Avalanche Safety Gear rentals
    • Use of Snow Science kit (thermometer, screen, loupe, etc)
    • Ongoing free consultation services from Canada West Mountain School
    • 15% off AST-2 courses with Canada West Mountain School

    Exclusive On-Course Avalanche Safety Equipment rentals:
    Transceiver, Shovel and Probe rentals are available through Canada West for $40. The Canada West "On-Course" Avi Kit rentals will be supplied directly to you on your course - skip the hassle of going to another shop to pick up or drop off rentals before the course! To ensure availability, rentals should be booked at time of AST Course Registration; add "Avi Kit" when registering. CWMS On-Course Avi Kit Rentals include Mammut Barryvox Transceiver, G3 Shovel and G3 Probe for both days of your course.

    NOTE on weather and snow conditions:
    If the snow conditions on Mount Seymour are not suitable for delivering quality field sessions, the practical field sessions may be held on Whistler/Blackcomb. In this event, a Lift Pass will be required for Whistler/Blackcomb and is an additional fee that is not included in the course cost. An additional pass is not required if you already have a ski pass for Whistler/Blackcomb.

    CANCELLATIONS and TRANSFERS
    Please click here for our Refund Policy

    • AST-1 Seymour Mid Week dates - 2024-25:
    • December 11-12, 2024
    • December 19-20, 2024
    • December 26-27, 2024
    • January 2-3, 2025
    • January 9-10, 2025
    • January 21-22, 2025
    • January 30-31, 2025
    • February 10-11, 2025
    • March 4-5, 2025

  • Canada West Mountain School has been offering avalanche skills training courses since 1982 - our 2023-24 season AST-1 Classic is built on more than 40 years of experience conducting Avalanche Skills safety training to the highest standard possible. All Canada West Mountain School AST courses include an enhanced online learning module through our Virtual Classroom, allowing for greater flexibility and improved learning options.

    The Seymour AST-1 Classic 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:
    • 3 hours of self-paced Online learning in advance of the 2-day practical sessions
    • 2 days of practical training combining classroom activities, outdoor practice, and on-snow field work in a local backcountry area.

      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 online Virtual Classroom theory modules 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

  • Day-1 Practical Training will be held in an outdoor location in North or West Vancouver. Day-2 practical on-snow field sessions for the AST-1 course will be held in the backcountry behind Mount Seymour unless otherwise noted. Occasionally, alternate locations may be used such as Whistler/Blackcomb if conditions are not suitable. The field session logistics and details will be discussed during the class theory sessions.

    PLEASE NOTE
    In the event that snowpack and/or weather conditions are such that we cannot conduct a good quality field session on the date for your course on Mt Seymour, or any other North Shore location, the on-snow field sessions may be postponed; or, held at Whistler/Blackcomb in the backcountry. This will require a lift access pass on Whistler/Blackcomb that is not included in the course fee. All other aspects of the course will remain unchanged.

    The decision to move the field sessions may not be made until 1-2 days in advance of the course, in order to assess the most current and updated snowpack and weather conditions.

  • Virtual Online training
    Our unique self-paced Virtual Training modules are designed to be done online in advance of the course on your own schedule. You will be enrolled in our Virtual Classroom 2-3 weeks in advance of the practical portion of the AST-1 course. The Virtual classes are set up to deliver the content in an engaging and interactive style and are delivered through a series of self-paced lessons in advance of the in-person classes and practical field sessions.

    You will receive instructions on how to register and access the Virtual Classroom online course content after you have registered for your AST-1 course, but you can complete this training on your own schedule and from any location of your choice. We are committed to providing the highest degree of online learning experience and flexibility; we welcome and encourage your ongoing feedback as we embark on this adventure in learning with Canada West!

    Practical Training
    Day-1
    The first day of the practical training is an in-person training day combining interactive and engaging class sessions with an emphasis on group activities; and, practical outdoor training sessions focusing on Rescue procedures and transceiver training. The Day-1 training is held at one of our training locations in Vancouver, West Vancouver, or North Vancouver. Start times for Day-1 vary between course dates but typically start as early as 7:30 am and finish by 4:30 pm. Specific locations and meeting times will be sent out in advance of each course date.

      The Day-1 session will focus on the following:
    • Team and Instructor Introductions
    • Trip planning
    • Terrain assessment
    • Decision making in Avalanche terrain
    • Interpretation and application of Avalanche Bulletins
    • Avalanche safety gear training and familiarization
    • Avalanche Rescue introduction and transceiver practice
    • Pre-trip planning and logistics for Day-2

    Day-1 is not an on-snow session, so skis, split boards or snowshoes are not required for the first day

    Day-2
    The On-Snow practical field session will be held at Mount Seymour. The surge in numbers of visitors to Mount Seymour Park has led to severe parking and crowding issues. As a result, we are running our AST practical field session in a manner that helps reduce the impacts on the Park and some course dates may require using a shuttle bus service to access the backcountry course area (included in course fee). Final details are arranged during the week prior to each AST-1 date.

    The practical training session on Day-2 are held during a full day of "hands-on" practical learning in the field working on snowpack, terrain, travel, and rescue skills. This on-snow practical field day will take place in the backcountry regions of Mount Seymour Provincial Park. All students must be prepared for a day of backcountry touring on skis or split boards (or snowshoes, for snowshoe-based AST courses). The Day-2 field session starts with a 6:30 am meeting and typically is finished by 4:30 pm.

    IMPORTANT NOTE ON MEETING LOCATIONS
    The specific meeting locations and logistics details may vary from one course date to another, please ensure you confirm the correct location for your course date!

    Students are responsible for getting to and from the course meeting location on the North Shore at the base of Mount Seymour. During the class sessions in advance of the field training, you will discuss and plan the logistics for the specific meeting points and times for the Practical Field session of your course, though typically the field session will start with a 6:30 am meeting at the base of the Mount Seymour Road

    Students are reminded to plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to all course sessions, to allow for traffic delays, poor road conditions, parking, etc. The Practical 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.

  • 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.

    Avi Rentals Note: 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.

    Important Gear note for Day-1 of your course:
    During the afternoon field session on Day 1, you will require a transceiver, shovel, probe, and a small pack, as well as be prepared for being outdoors in any weather conditions for 2+ hours, including footwear and clothing that is appropriate for walking and standing in the snow and wet conditions. Skis, Snowshoes or Split-boards are not required for Day-1.

    Backcountry Touring Gear
    Proper backcountry touring skis or split-board, with climbing skins and poles are required for all practical on-snow field sessions; or, snowshoes and carrying a snowboard strapped on a pack. For Snowshoers without a snowboard, please join an AST-1 Snowshoe course in order to use snowshoes-only.

    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

  • Questions about Avalanche Skills 1 (AST-1) course

    Do I need to bring special gear?

    What happens if the weather is not good?

    Where are the Vancouver-Mt Seymour AST-1 courses conducted?

    How long are the days?

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