AST-1 courses include all avalanche safety equipment!

Dates (2011 season):
1 evening session in Vancouver (*); 1 field day on Mount Seymour & 1 field day on Whistler/Blackcomb; Wrap-up theory sessions after day-1 and/or day-2 field days.

Dec 8*, 10-11 (full)
Dec 15*, 17-18
Jan 5*, 7-8
Jan 19*, 21-22
Jan 26*, 28-29
Feb 9*, 11-12
Feb 23*, 25-26
Mar 1*, 3-4
Mar 15*, 17-18

All dates marked with an asterisk (*) are evening Theory Sessions held in Vancouver at 47 W Broadway in the CWMS training room, unless otherwise noted.

If you cannot attend the integral Theory Session held in advance, please consider taking one of our AST-1 2-day courses, or our AST-1 WHISTLER courses, that do not include mid-week evening sessions.

Course Cost: $ 275. + HST
$10. discount if you supply your own transceiver, probe & shovel. This must be claimed at time of registration

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*See NOTE below regarding lift access fee*

* Backcountry lift access fee:
Backcountry lift access for the Sunday field-day on Whistler/Blackcomb is required and is not included. This cost is an additional $42 +HST. (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.

Included in course fee:
- Instruction by professional Avalanche Safety educators
- Avalanche Safety Course manual
- CWMS & CAA-developed course materials, updated 2008/09
- Industry recognized AST-1 Certificate of Completion
- Use of Barryvox "Pulse" digital transceiver **
- Use of G3 probe **
- Use of G3 Avi-tech shovel **
- Use of Snow Science kit (thermometer, screen, loupe, etc)
- Use of G3 "Bonesaw" snowsaw

Field locations are chosen in advance based on current weather and snowpack conditions in order to give the best possible course.

The first field day is typically held in the backcountry behind Mount Seymour, while the second field session is held in the backcountry behind Whistler/Blackcomb. Weather and snow conditions may require us to use alternate locations, such as the Coquihalla summit region, Diamond Head or Cypress.

A second theory session is held at the end of the 1st or 2nd field session, depending on field conditions and location.

All Instructors are Active or Professional Members of the CAA (Canadian Avalanche Association) and hold Level 1 or 2 Certification with the CAA. Additionally, all Canada West Mountain School staff are dedicated educators who are experienced in teaching these skills and conducting well run, professional courses. 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).

Itinerary/Objectives
This course focuses on teaching practical methods of understanding, recognizing and avoiding avalanche hazards, including terrain evaluation, snowpack structure, weather, safe route finding and avalanche rescue techniques.

Our format includes one evening session in advance of the two field days, with follow-up classroom sessions after the 1st and 2nd field days. The first 3-hour session provides an overview of the course and covers the following topics:

avalanche hazard recognition
avalanche terminology
avalanche mechanics
mountain weather
snowpack structure
basic terrain evaluation
equipment requirements

This evening session also will prepare you for the field sessions so that your time in the field is used most efficiently. Evening session dates are marked with an asterisk *.

Your two field days are spent in the backcountry where you will have maximum time to focus on learning and practicing skills, including:

terrain evaluation
mountain hazard assessment
safe route finding techniques
snowpack analysis
snow testing techniques
transceiver searches
rescue fundamentals

The final wrap up evening sessions are an important and unique aspect of Canada West Mountain School programs, as this allows students an opportunity to "put all the pieces together" in a classroom session 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!

All our AST-1 courses meet, or exceed, the minimum standard set by the Canadian Avalanche Association that requires AST Level 1 courses to have a minimum of 7 hours of classroom instruction plus one full day in the field.

• Touring skis; split snowboard; or, snow shoes and snowboard. Alpine Trekker touring inserts for alpine skis are acceptable if you are experienced with them (Trekkers and climbing skins are available for rent from CWMS)
• 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
• 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.

IMPORTANT - the specific field locations vary from one course date to another, please ensure you confirm the correct meeting location for your course date!

Students are reminded to plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to the field sessions, to allow for traffic delays, poor road conditions, parking, etc. The 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.