AST-2 Backcountry Snowcats Lodge

Avalanche Skills Training 2 (Backcountry Snowcats): $1,475. + GST

(Previous Canada West Mountain School AST-1 participants are eligible for a $100 discount off of this AST-2 course! Please use Coupon Code AST-2-Hurley in the checkout, and indicate the date you took your AST-1 with Canada West Mountain School in the Order Notes)

Included in Canada West Mountain School AST-2 Backcountry Snowcats course:

• 4 days of AST-2 course instruction by Professional Members of the CAA
• AST-2 Certificate at completion of course
• Avalanche Manual “Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain”
• CAA Rite in the Rain Field Book “Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain”
• Course student handouts and reference materials
• Use of Snow Science kit (thermometer, screen, loupe, etc)
• Ongoing free consultation services from Canada West Mountain School
• 50% off future Avalanche Refresher courses with Canada West Mountain SchoolAvalanche Safety Equipment rentals:
  $60. (optional, Avi gear can be supplied by student)
  CWMS Rentals Include Transceiver, G3 Shovel, and G3 Probe for all field days of the AST-2 course
• Backcountry Snowcats Lodge services:
  • All meals and accommodation from Lunch on Day-1 to Lunch on Day-4
  • Snowmobile access from Pemberton Meadows/staging area to Hope Creek Lodge, and return
  • Snowmobile and/or snowcat lifts each day to the alpine regions above the lodge
  • More details can be found here on the lodge amenities –  www.snowcats.ca

2025 Dates:

• December 5-8, 2025

This AST-2 is conducted over 4 consecutive days. Please note that the first day of the AST-2 Backcountry Snowcats course will start with 8:00 am morning orientation meeting in Pemberton Meadows, 30 minutes out of Pemberton, BC.

The final day of the course will finish in Pemberton Meadows at approx 4:00 pm.

This course is designed to enable students with a solid understanding of Avalanche Safety principles to build on their existing knowledge.

The primary focus will be on developing and implementing a system for assessing and evaluating potential avalanche slopes in the backcountry in regards to the hazard that they present. This is not meant to be a forecasting course, nor a course that dwells on the scientific collection and recording of snowpack and weather observations. Rather, the course will emphasize the practical collection and analysis of relevant data that an average backcountry skier would be able to use as the basis for making their decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain.

The first day of the course is conducted as a combination of in-person class theory and outdoor practical field sessions. These sessions will be held in the Lodge and the surrounding on-snow field locations close to the lodge.

The following 3 days are held at a variety of backcountry alpine and treeline locations to experience different snowpacks and conditions. Each field session will be preceded by a morning theory session and an afternoon follow-up class session. Final locations will be decided the evening prior and will be based on current snowpack and weather conditions.

Learning outcomes for the Canada West Mountain School AST-2 program:

• Develop a systematic approach towards evaluating snow stability and hazard which includes the collection of weather, snowpack, and terrain information
• Be able to recognize safe terrain and routes in avalanche terrain, and know methods of avoiding hazardous regions
• To refine, through practice and application, the best strategies for route finding and terrain analysis for safe backcountry travel
• Understand snow avalanche mechanics, including correlation of weather to snowpack, layering, effects of temperatures, principles of slab failure, leading causes of instabilities, and forces involved in avalanches
• Learn methods of observing, collecting, and recording information in the field through activities such as hasty-pits; observations of avalanche activity, wind loading, snow distribution, and depth; snow testing; weather observations; and, terrain assessment
• To know how and when to perform a variety of snowpack tests, such as pole test, compression test, burp, ski cutting, Rutschblock; and, to know how to relate each test to the overall “big picture”
• To be able to perform self-rescue procedures and protocols, including multiple transceiver searches

The AST-2 Backcountry Snowcats course will be conducted in the Hurley Pass region, northwest of Pemberton, BC. The course includes 4 days/3 nights based at a remote wilderness lodge in Hope Creek, near Hurley Pass.

The staging area is in Pemberton Meadows, approx. 2.5 hours drive from Vancouver. From the staging area, everyone will be transported to the backcountry lodge by snowmobiles on the morning of Day-1, and returning on the afternoon of Day-4.

Each day the group will head out into the alpine regions in the Hurley Pass area, (with snowcat and/or snowmobile assistance!)

More details can be found here on the lodge amenities –  www.snowcats.ca

For the AST-2 course held in the Backcountry Snowcats Lodge, Graham Underhill will be the Lead Guide/Instructor. Graham has been teaching all levels of Recreational and Professional Industry Avalanche training programs since the 1980’s, and has a wealth of experience ski guiding for the Backcountry Snowcats operations, so he is intimately familiar with the terrain and snowpack conditions.

All Instructors on our AST-2 Avalanche courses are Professional Members of the CAA (Canadian Avalanche Association) or Advanced Avalanche Educators with the CAA, and hold Level II Certification from Avalanche Canada Industry training Program. 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 training modules
All AST-2 course with Canada West Mountain School also include our Virtual Classroom training modules, to be completed in advance of the field sessions. These are self-directed online training sessions and will take between 1-2 hours to complete.

Pre-Trip Zoom session:
There will be a Pre-Course Zoom session, held on Tuesday, Dec 2, in advance of the program to finalize course details and logistics.

Dec 5-8 Itinerary:
Day-1 (December 5, 2025):

• 8:00 – meet in Pemberton Meadows staging area (details supplied on registration)
• 10:00 am – transport to Hope Creek Lodge by snomobile (approx. 1 hour)
• 11:00 am – move in and set up in Lodge
• 12:00 noon – lunch and class theory activities in the lodge
• 1:00 pm – advanced rescue techniques and weather/snowpack data collection
• 3:00 pm – daily wrap up and debrief
• 4:00-8:00 pm – free time and dinner
• 8:00 pm – final planning for Day-2 activities

Day-2 (December 6, 2025):

• 7:30 am – breakfast in the Lodge
• 8:30 am – weather, conditions, gear, and route plan check
• 9:00 am – snowmobile/snowcat assisted approach to alpine region
• 3:00 pm – return to Lodge
• 3:30 pm – daily wrap up and debrief
• 4:00-8:00 pm – free time and dinner
• 8:00 pm – final planning for Day-3 activities

Day-3 (December 7, 2025):

• 7:30 am – breakfast in the Lodge
• 8:30 am – weather, conditions, gear, and route plan check
• 9:00 am – snowmobile/snowcat assisted approach to alpine region
• 3:00 pm – return to Lodge
• 3:30 pm – daily wrap up and debrief
• 4:00-8:00 pm – free time and dinner
• 8:00 pm – final planning for Day-3 activitie

Day-4 (December 8, 2025):

• 7:30 am – breakfast in the Lodge
• 8:30 am – weather, conditions, gear, and route plan check
• 9:00 am – snowmobile/snowcat assisted approach to alpine region
• 1:00 pm – return to Lodge for lunch
• 2:30 pm – exit Hurley Pass and return to Pemberton Meadows
• 4:00 pm – final course wrap up and departure

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 this AST-2 course

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 maintains a large rental inventory of avalanche safety equipment exclusively for our students. Our “On-Course” Avi Kit Rentals are only $50 for a 4-day AST-2 course and include a Transceiver, Shovel, and Probe for all 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.

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

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.

Proper backcountry touring skis and climbing skins are required for all field sessions; or, a split-board and climbing skins.

Lift access is required for Whistler/Blackcomb for at least 2 days of the course. If you require lift access , please contact our office to purchase a Backcountry Lift Pass.

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-2 courses can be taught in virtually any conditions, without compromising the safety or integrity of the course. The best way to ensure that weather does not take away from your course is to be well prepared with good quality gear.

How long are the days?
Each day of the AST-2 course will start at 0800 and usually finishing by 4 pm. Of course, this will vary due to weather and daily objectives, but plan on finishing at 4 each day.

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)

• Backcountry Snowcats
  • (PDF review only, must be signed in person on Day 1 of the course)

• Avalanche Canada Waiver
  • (PDF 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