AST-1 Seymour (Weekend)

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.
• BONUS DAY – all students on Canada West Mountain School AST-1 courses are eligible to join on a FREE AST Refresher course during March and April. Details to be posted.
• 3 hrs of self-directed online learning through the Canada West Virtual Classroom
• 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 any scheduled AST-2 course 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! Rentals must be booked at the time of AST Course Registration, add “Avi Kit” when registering. CWMS On-Course Avi Kit Rentals include Transceiver, Shovel, and 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</b

AST-1 Classic dates – Mt Seymour 2024/25:

• Every weekend;
• course includes self-paced online learning in advance of the course dates.
• For mid-week dates go to AST Midweek.
• If the date you choose is unavailable, contact our office for wait-list options.
• Private dates can also be arranged.

Canada West Mountain School has been offering avalanche skills training courses since 1982 – our 2024/25 season AST-1 Classic is built on more than 40 years of experience conducting Avalanche Skills safety training to the highest standard possible, including enhanced online learning modules 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:

• 7 hours of theory, split between Virtual Online learning and in-person sessions
• 2 days 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

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-2Day-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.

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
There are currently no suppliers in the Vancouver or Lower Mainland area for backcountry ski or splitboard rentals. Rentals are available at 2 locations in the Sea to Sky region (Squamish and Whistler):

Valhalla Pure Outfitters (VPO) Squamish
VPO Squamish has backcountry ski and splitboard rentals, as well as full range of backcountry and avalanche safety gear for sale.

They also offer 1 free day of avalanche safety gear rentals to students on AST courses, use their coupon code VPOAST2025. More details can be found online at  Valhalla Pure Outfitters

Evo Backcountry Whistler
Evo Backcountry in Whistler has backcountry ski and splitboard rentals, as well as full range of backcountry and avalanche safety gear for sale.

Check out their online rentals at https://www.evo.com/locations/whistler/backcountry/services/ski-snowboard-rentals

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.

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 Vancouver-Mt Seymour AST-1 courses conducted?
All Canada West Mountain School AST-1 theory sessions include online training sessions through our Canada West Mountain School Virtual Classroom that are intended to be completed on your own time and location of your choice in advance of the course dates; and, 3-4 hours of in-person theory sessions held in one of our classrooms on the North Shore during Day-1 of the course.

The practical sessions are split between 2-3 hours of outdoor practical rescue skills training combined with theory on Day-1; and, a full day of on-snow training and applications of skills on Day-2 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

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

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