AST-1 PLUS VOC
This is a Custom Private AST-1 PLUS course offered to active members of the UBC Varsity Outdoor Club only. Please review the information in the Tabbed sections below, select your course date to the right, and then click on the “BOOK NOW” link in order to register and pay to confirm your course. For further information, please email the Canada West Mountain School office or contact the VOC Course Coordinator.
Don’t forget that active VOC Members are eligible for discounts ranging from 10%-20% on all regularly scheduled Canada West Mountain School Courses
Register Today
$255.00
Canada West Mountain School is an Authorized AST Provider
Options:
Avi Kit (2 day)
$40.00
Lift Access (1-day)
$45.00
- AST-1 PLUS Private VOC Special price: $255. + GST
Included in all Canada West Mountain School AST-1 courses:
- 2.5 days of practical instruction including 1 full day of on-snow back-country training
- 2.5 hrs of self-directed online learning through the Canada West Virtual Classroom
- Zoom class session in advance of the field sessions
- 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
- Ongoing free consultation services from Canada West Mountain School
All Instructors on our Avalanche courses are Active or Professional Members of the CAA (Canadian Avalanche Association) and hold Level I or Level II Professional Certification with the CAA. Additionally, Canada West Mountain School staff are dedicated educators who are experienced in teaching these skills and conducting well run, professional courses.
All CWMS staff also attend regular Industry training and have advanced 1st aid training, and many of the Instructors in our Avalanche Training program are also professional Guides certified through the ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides).
Visit Guides and Instructors Page for complete details and background on each of our Guide Team.
Virtual classroom
The first portion of the AST-1 PLUS course covers the theory required to develop the foundation of Avalanche Safety skills. These lessons are delivered through our Virtual Classroom and deliver the content in an engaging and interactive style through a series of Online and Virtual lessons in advance of the practical field portions.When you sign up you will be registered into the Virtual Classroom. Pre-trip planning details will be available in the Online Course materials, with complete details for your specific course date. Pre-trip planning and logistics details will be covered by online segments, email, and phone as needed.
Online Zoom Session
The AST-1 Plus course includes a 2 hr Zoom session held in advance of the field dates, held on the Thursday evening before the course, from 6-8 pm. Details for the Zoom session are sent out in advance of the course.Practical Training
After completing the prerequisite Online Virtual Classroom material and the Zoom class, students will meet on Day-1 for an in-person practical training session held outdoors on Mount Seymour (or Whistler/Blackcomb if snow conditions on Seymour are not suitable).In order to ensure that our AST students can get up to the trailhead on-time with minimal hassle, and to avoid the possibility of being turned away by Parks Staff on crowded weekends, Canada West Mountain School AST-1 courses use a shuttle service to drive up and down on Day-1 of your AST-1 course (cost of the shuttle is included in the course fee). In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, traveling up with a Shuttle service allows our groups to meet at the bottom of the mountain (so no winter tires are required); the Mt Seymour Shuttles have priority access on the drive up, so everyone will arrive on the mountain earlier and together to avoid delays; and, arriving earlier means getting into the backcountry quicker. Full transportation details will be provided in the Field Session Planning Details of the Online Course.
Day-2 of the AST-1 PLUS course will be held in the Whistler/Blackcomb backcountry. Students require lift access on Whistler/Blackcomb. If you do not have a seasons pass, Canada West Mountain School can supply a backcountry pass for $62.
The practical training sessions are full days 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 fully in the backcountry regions of Mount Seymour and Garibaldi Provincial Park. All students must be fully prepared for backcountry touring on skis or split boards.
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; and, the meeting locations in Whistler.
During the class theory 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 sessions of your course, though typically the field session will start with a 6:30 am meeting at the base of the Mount Seymour Road on Day-1; and, in Whistler Village at 7:45 am on Day-2
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.
THEORY TOPICS
Virtual Class theory sessions provide an overview of the course and cover the following topics:- avalanche hazard recognition
- avalanche terminology
- avalanche mechanics
- mountain weather
- snowpack structure
- basic terrain evaluation
- Weather observations
FIELD SESSION TOPICS
The Practical Field sessions are spent in the backcountry regions of Mount Seymour and Garibaldi Parks, where you will have maximum time to focus on learning and practicing skills, including:- terrain evaluation
- mountain hazard assessment
- safe route finding techniques
- snowpack analysis
- snow testing techniques
- transceiver searches
- companion rescue review and practice
Avalanche Course Gear List
Review this list and ensure you are prepared for any winter conditions:
Canada West Mountain School Avalanche Course Gear ListYou will require an Avalanche Safety kit including a digital avalanche transceiver (beacon), collapsible avalanche shovel, and a probe. In addition, everyone needs to be fully prepared for a day out in winter conditions.
Proper backcountry touring skis and climbing skins are required for the field sessions on Day-2; or, snowboard and snowshoe combo; or, a split-board and climbing skins.
For students with snowshoe/snowboard combo, collapsible ski poles are recommended; and, a backpack that is designed to carry a snowboard while you are traveling uphill is required. Please note that snowshoeing with a snowboard on your pack is significantly harder work than skiing or using a split board for uphill travel.
Questions about Avalanche Skills Training 1 (AST-1) course
Do I need to bring special gear?What happens if the weather is not good?
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Waiver & Medical Disclosure
- Canada West Mountain School Waiver and Medical disclosure form
Complete the required Waiver and Medical disclosure form in advance of your program. Click on the link and navigate to the specific program and date that you are registered for:-
Avalanche Course Gear List
- Canada West Mountain School Avalanche Course Gear List
Review this list and ensure you are prepared for any winter conditions:-
Cancellation & Transfer policy
- Canada West Mountain School Refund/transfer Policy
Review the CWMS cancellation and transfer policy:
