AST 2 Advanced Avalanche Skills Training

This advanced course is for winter backcountry users who have completed the ‘Introduction to Avalanche Safety’ course or feel they have a good grasp with the AST 1 skills. Experience using your AST 1 avalanche skills and intermediate skiing or boarding skills are a must for this course.

This is a 4 day course. First day is eight hours classroom time followed by three days of local backcountry touring and instruction in the field.
The goals are to become more independent with information gathering, recognising danger and managing risk in avalanche terrain. A variety of terrain and snow packs will be explored.

This 32 hrs course includes:
- CAA Manual/book.
- Avulator decision making tool.
- Course certificate.
- We provide avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe.
- You will need to provide transportation, lunch,
accommodation, suitable clothing and touring equipment.
Maximum 6 students.

Class room day content: 8hrs
-Emergency response, trip preparation.
-Weather/snow pack observation and evaluation skills.
-Recognizing avalanche danger.
-Avalanche terrain assessment.
-Risk management and decision making.

Three field days content:24hrs
-Evaluation of avalanche terrain.
-Route selection and track setting
-Slope/stability tests and snow pack observations.
-Group management skills
-Advanced emergency response

Dates(2011-12): Jan 24-27. Feb 13-16. March 5-8,
Location: Class room day Golden B.C. Field days are at variety of locations including Emerald Lake, Crowfoot Mountain and Bow Summit in Banff National Park. Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse and Lake Louise ski hills are also great locations that work well for a day out touring.