SKI & SPLITBOARD | AVALANCHE SKILLS TRAINING 1 (AST 1)

Beginner Friendly!

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, BC | $269

Online Class Session (7 – 8 hrs at your own pace) + 1 Field Day (8:30 am – 4:30 pm) = AST 1.  Avalanche Skills Training level 1

WINTER 2024/25 GOLDEN DATES COMING SOON!

BOOK Golden (Kicking Horse) AST 1 Course    |   BOOK Ski AST 1 Online Class only

Are you wanting to start touring in the backcountry?  Have you been touring for years but thought it’s about time you took some formal training?  The AST 1 course will give you the basic knowledge and skills required for safer backcountry travel.  You will be able to build experience from a solid base of knowledge and skills learned on this course.

These Ski and Splitboard AST 1 courses are offered at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, in Golden, BC.

The AST 1 class component is online.  Learn at your own pace before the AST 1 field day.

The AST 1 Course – Avalanche Skills Training level 1

• The AST 1 is made up of 2 parts.  Online class and field day.  You must take the class before you can take the field day.
• The Class Session is online learning from home.  Spread it out over several sessions.  Take your time.
• The Field Day is hands on learning in the mountains.
• You will receive a text book, Avaluator package, companion rescue card and a waiver to sign at the start of your Field Day.
• Required gear for field day.  Transceiver (digital), probe, shovel in a back pack.   Appropriate ski touring or split boarding equipment for walking up hill. We will be skinning up and out of bounds. Lunch/water and clothing for a full day outside.
• We will be touring and riding to get around the mountain, so please be sure you know how to use your touring gear.

When booking the Kicking Horse AST 1 course you will select your field day date/location and that will enrol you in the online class as well.

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All AST participants need to read and understand the waiver and release of liability before making a booking.  READ THE WAIVER

ObjectivesItinerary - Class SessionItinerary - Field Day

Objectives

Kicking Horse AST 1 Objectives

Topics and skills we will learn in the AST 1 course include:

• Types of avalanches and persistent weak layers.
• Identifying avalanche terrain and common trigger points.
• Knowing the steps required to plan and carry out a trip.
• Use of the Avaluator, ATES, Danger Ratings and Avalanche Bulletins.
• Learn about the Mountain Information Network (M.I.N.).
• Appropriate travel techniques in avalanche terrain.
• Companion Rescue.  Gear, techniques and practice.

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Itinerary - Class Session

AST 1 Online Class Itinerary

The AST 1 online class session instruction includes:

• Types of weak layers and avalanches.
• Terrain features.  What to watch for.
• Human factors
• Case studies
• Route finding, travelling through or avoiding avalanche terrain.
• How to use the Avaluator, ATES and other tools.
• Trip planning.  What websites should you read every time.
• Safe riding habits.  A few simple tips that will greatly reduce the risk.
• A chat about gear and rescue techniques

Online class duration is 7-8 hours total.  Do this at your own pace from home. You must complete the online class before your AST 1 field day.

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Itinerary - Field Day

Kicking Horse AST 1 Field Day Itinerary

The field day instruction includes:

• Pre Trip Planning.  Check bulletin, weather, gear, plan and more.
• Transceiver practice.  Single and Multiple burials.
• Probing and shovelling hands on training.
• Group rescue scenario discussion and timed practice.
• Test profile.  Dig, get to know the snowpack and tests for weak layers.
• Terrain features. Common trigger points.  Let’s point out as many as we can find!
• Route finding.  Discussion about travelling in avalanche terrain with the avaluator.
• Course debrief and certificates.

The field day is a full day (8 hours) spent in the mountains.

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Course Calendar