AST-2 Advanced Avalanche Safety 2009/2010
An excellent opportunity to learn with our highly experienced Level 2 Avalanche Instructors, this 4-day course is a technical Avalanche Safety program with an in-depth focus on advanced Avalanche skills.

Designed around the CAA Avalanche Skills Training - Level 2 Course (AST-2) curriculum, our program emphasizes hands-on development of skills and techniques to assist in decision making, route finding, terrain evaluation, snow profile interpretation and rescue techniques.

The course fee includes a notebook for recording Weather and Snowpack data. A snow science kit (thermometer, crystal screen and magnifying loupe) are also recommended for this course and are available for purchase though CWMS, or you can use equipment provided.

If you're serious about heading out into the backcountry for skiing, boarding or climbing, then this is the Avi-course for you!

Dates (2009/2010 season):
December 11-14, '09
Jan. 2-3 and Jan. 9-10, '10 (conducted over 2 weekends)
February 5-8, '10
Feb. 13-14 and Feb. 20-21, '10 (conducted over 2 weekends)
Feb. 26 - Mar. 1, '10
Mar. 13-14 and Mar. 20-21, '10 (conducted over 2 weekends)

Please note that the first day of the Advanced Avalanche course includes a theory and field session in North Vancouver, BC.

Cost
$595. + gst, plus lift access fees if applicable
($10. discount if you supply your own transceiver, probe & shovel)
*See NOTE below regarding Lift access fees*

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* Backcountry lift access fee:
Backcountry lift access for 2 field-days on Whistler/Blackcomb is required for all students and is not included. This cost is an additional $84. + gst for 2 days ($42/day; not applicable for students with existing lift passes). This fee will be collected at time of registration so that your instructor can pre-arrange all lift tickets in order to speed up the field days and avoid unnecessary delays during your course. A 3rd day of lift access may be required based on snow and weather conditions affecting other backcountry locations.

The Advanced Avalanche course includes:
- Instruction by professional Avalanche Safety educators
- "Rite-in-the-Rain" Fieldbook for Avi & Weather observations
- CWMS & CAA-developed course materials, updated 2008/09
- Industry recognized AST-2 Certificate of Completion
- Use of Barryvox "Pulse" digital transceiver **
- Use of G3 probe **
- Use of G3 Avi-tech shovel **
- Use of G3 "Bonesaw" snowsaw

If you are interested in purchasing a snow-science kit, please advise the CWMS office at least 2 weeks in advance of the course.

** $10. discount for supplying your own transceiver, probe & shovel must be claimed at time of booking.

Location
The first day of your course is split between classroom theory and a field session on Mount Seymour near Vancouver.

The following 3 days are spent at a variety of field locations based out of Whistler, BC in order to experience different terrain and snowpack conditions. Typically you will spend the 2nd day in the backcountry behind Whistler Mountain, which provides great access to a higher elevation snowpack. The 3rd day will be spent touring into a local Alpine region near Pemberton, about 1 hour past Whistler, in order to experience a different geographical region and snowpack, with the final day utilizing the lifts to access the backcountry behind Blackcomb mountain.

This format allows participants to train in a variety of snow conditions, elevations and different terrain.

• Develop a systematic approach towards evaluating snow stability and hazard which includes 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.
• 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 shear tests, such as: pole test, compression test, burp, ski cutting, rutschblock; and, to know how to relate each test to the overall "picture".
• To be able to perform self-rescue procedures and protocols, including multiple transceiver searches.

• Touring skis; split snowboard; or, snow shoes and snowboard. Alpine Trekker touring inserts for alpine skis are acceptable if you are experienced with them
• Boots - touring boots appropriate to your bindings. Regular alpine boots may be fine as long as they are not a tight fitting race boot.
• Poles (for skiers)
• Climbing skins for skis or split board
• Daypack, approx 30 liters capacity suitable for carrying all required gear. Snowboarders must have a pack that can hold a snowboard for the ascents
• Hard shell outer layer jacket with hood - Gore-Tex
  
• Outer shell pants or bibs - Gore-Tex style recommended for ventilation while touring
• Personal clothing layers that are adjustable and suitable for all conditions
• Gaiters (unless your ski pants have built-in gaiters or snow-cuffs)
• Gloves plus one pair extra
• Warm parka - down, fleece or pile
• Sweater or vest - wool, fleece or down
• Toque/warm hat - wool or fleece
• Sunglasses
• Ski goggles
• Misc. personal items (camera, journal, etc.)
• Water bottle/hydration system w/insulation - min. 1 liter

Please go over this list before the course to ensure that you are properly prepared. Contact our office if you have any questions, and we can suggest places for you to purchase or rent equipment if needed. Keep in mind that you will be spending all of your time outdoors in the snow in cold conditions (-5 to -20), and that the weather can vary from one extreme to the other. It is recommended that you also have a set of spare street clothes for the end of the course after you have left the mountains.

Participants should expect to spend the first day of the course based in North vancouver, BC. Typically you will spend the morning in a classroom theory session followed by an afternoon in the backcountry behind Mt. Seymour.

The final 3 days will be spent touring in backcountry areas based out of Whistler and Pemberton, with 2 of these days days in the backcountry behind Whistler/Blackcomb.

Students are encouraged to secure accommodation in Squamish, Whistler or Pemberton for the final 3 days of this course in order to minimize driving times to/from course areas.

Due to the variability of snow and weather conditions, we cannot guarantee that the course will be held in the locations stated, or conducted in the same order as listed.