AST-1 Whistler

AST-1 Classic Course – Whistler: $295. + GST
Included in all Canada West Mountain School AST-1 Classic Whistler courses:

• 2 days of practical, on-snow backcountry field instruction
• 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”
• Avaluator V.2 Manual and decision making card
• Course student handouts and reference materials
• AST-1 Certificate issued by Avalanche Canada
• 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 available:
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 – there are no hassles with going to another shop to pick them up or drop them off 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 Mammut Barryvox Transceiver, G3 Shovel, and G3 Probe for both days of your course.

Lift Access on Whistler/Blackcomb:
Lift access for Whistler/Blackcomb is required for both days and is not included in the course fee. Students can use their own season pass or any other lift pass they have. If students do not have a lift pass already, Canada West Mountain School can supply a Backcountry Pass, just select the Add Lift Pass option when booking.

NOTE on weather and snow conditions:
The AST-1 Classic Whistler course Practical Field days will be conducted in all winter weather conditions. If the Lifts from the valley are closed due to any reason outside of our control on the practical field days, CWMS may re-schedule the Alpine Backcountry training portion to another date or another location.

CANCELLATIONS and TRANSFERS
Please click here for our Refund Policy

AST-1 Classic Whistler courses are held every weekend, plus some mid-week dates.

Please note that alpine field days are pending access via Whistler/Blackcomb lifts in order to access the backcountry. In the event that Whistler/Blackcomb lifts are not operating due to early-season closures or other reasons, the field portions of the AST-1 course may be held in an alternate location, and/or postponed.

Canada West Mountain School has been offering avalanche skills training courses since 1982 – our 2024-25 season Whistler AST-1 Classic is built on 40+ years of experience conducting Avalanche Skills safety training to the highest standard possible. All Canada West Mountain School AST courses include self-paced online learning modules through our unique, customized Virtual Classroom, allowing for greater flexibility and improved learning options.

Our AST-1 Classic Whistler course has 2 full days of on-snow, practical training in the backcountry! We recognize the best learning experience we can provide is to conduct 2 days of on-snow training in the field where you will get the most out of your AST-1 course.

The Whistler 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 Whistler 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 mandatory online Virtual Classroom theory sessions 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 CLASSROOM
Before your AST-1 course field sessions, you will complete the required self-paced online AST theory modules in our Virtual Classroom. This portion of the AST-1 course helps you develop the foundation of Avalanche Safety skills needed for the 2 field days and can be completed at any time of your choice.

The Online Course requires about 3 hours of your time prior to the 2-day course dates. Our Virtual Classes deliver content in an engaging and interactive style and are delivered through a self-paced series of Online Virtual lessons, in advance of the in-person 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 course.

PRACTICAL ON-SNOW TRAINING
The practical, on-snow field training is the most important part of your Avalanche Skills Training and we offer 2 full days of practical training to our students on our Whistler AST-1 Classic courses.

The On-Snow field sessions will start at 08:00 on the first day of the training, with a morning meeting near the base of the ski lifts in Whistler to discuss weather, snowpack, and objectives of the course.

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 days will take place in the backcountry regions of Garibaldi Provincial Park, adjacent to Whistler/Blackcomb ski areas. All students must be fully prepared for a day of backcountry touring on skis or split boards.

Day-1 and Day-2 meeting logistics will be discussed and finalized in advance by email and phone, and are also included in the Virtual Classroom.

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 areas. Typically the field session will start with an 07:45 am meeting in Whistler Village, or at the base of Blackcomb.

Students are reminded to plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to the 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.

COURSE WRAP-UP
The final wrap up is an important aspect of Canada West Mountain School Avalanche Skills Training courses, as this allows students an opportunity to “put all the pieces together” after the field sessions have finished. At the end of your course, you are encouraged to discuss with your instructor the content that has been covered, and to have the instructor assess your level of knowledge – we would prefer that you know your abilities now, rather than find out the hard way, later!

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.

Backcountry Touring gear
Proper backcountry touring skis, bindings, and climbing skins are required for all practical on-snow field sessions; or, a split-board and climbing skins. Snowshoes are not allowed on Whistler courses; if you plan on using snowshoes and carrying a snowboard you must contact the CWMS office in advance.

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. Everyone should arrive with their transceiver already strapped on (underneath all outer layers of clothing).

If you require Avalanche Safety Gear, Canada West Mountain School rents 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.  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! Book your rentals at the time of AST Course Registration, as they are often booked out by the time the course runs.

Backcountry Ski and Split-board rentals
Rentals are available at 2 locations in the Sea to Sky region in Squamish and Whistler. There are currently no suppliers in the Vancouver or Lower Mainland area for backcountry ski or splitboard rentals.

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

Please contact our office in advance if you have any questions or concerns about your gear.

The Whistler Avalanche Skills Training (AST-1) Course field sessions are based in Whistler, BC.

Both days of the Practical on-snow field training are held in the Alpine backcountry of the Whistler/Blackcomb ski areas. Specific locations, meeting places, and times will be arranged during the online class sessions. Lift access is required for the on-snow training sessions.

Our exclusive Canada West Mountain School Virtual Classroom is set up to deliver the content in an engaging and interactive style, and is delivered through a series of Online and Virtual lessons, spread out over a few short sessions in advance of the 2 days of practical field sessions. These sessions can be completed anywhere of your choice, on your schedule.

You will receive a detailed package with instructions on locations, logistics, and how to access the course content, as well as the date and time blocks that you can schedule yourself into.

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 Mt Seymour; Snowshoe-specific AST courses; Custom AST courses; and, some Regional courses).

Please confirm in advance with our office if you plan to participate on an AST-1 Whistler course using snowshoes.

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.

If the weather conditions cause Whistler/Blackcomb lifts to close, field session may be held in alternate locations, or postponed.

Where are the Whistler AST-1 courses conducted?
The practical on-snow field sessions are conducted in the alpine backcountry regions behind Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Whistler AST-1 class theory sessions will be conducted in advance through our Canada West Mountain School Virtual Classroom, and during the morning and afternoons of each daily field session.

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 at the latest. Of course, this will vary due to weather and daily objectives, but plan on finishing at 5 each day.

Intermediate or stronger skiing or snowboarding experience. Skiers and snowboarders should be comfortable skiing/riding down Blue level runs in un-groomed snow conditions. Ski Touring equipment or splitboard with climbing skins are required. No previous avalanche training is required.

Previous backcountry touring experience is not required, though a good level of fitness is needed for all backcountry travel.

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 and Medical Disclosure online form
    • (Must be signed online in advance of the course)

• • Avalanche Canada Waiver
    • (online review only, must be signed in person on Day 1 of the course)

• • Avalanche Canada INFORMED CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK for Minors
    • (Must be signed by Parent/Guardian of Minor Participants (under 19 years of age). Please print and send with Minor Participants on Day 1 of the course)

Cancellation & Transfer policy
Review the CWMS cancellation and transfer policy:

• Canada West Mountain School Refund/Transfer Policy