Our fine-tuned program this season includes 2 field days in 2 separate regions, in addition to 3 separate theory sessions, for a total of 21 hours of instruction. This allows you to spend more time in the field learning technical snowpack and terrain observation skills than in most other AST-1 courses.

AST-1 courses include all avalanche safety equipment!

Please also see our Avalanche Safety Weekend - Whistler for courses held completely in Whistler.

Dates for Skiers and Snowboarders (2008/09 season):
1 evening session in Vancouver (*); 1 field day on Mount Seymour & 1 field day on Whistler/Blackcomb; Wrap-up theory session after day-1 or day-2 field days.

December 18*, 20-21, 2008
January 1*, 3-4, 2009
January 8*, 10-11, 2009
January 15*, 17-18, 2009
January 22*, 24-25, 2009
January 26*, 28-29 (Mid-week dates)
January 29*, 31 - Feb. 1, 2009
February 5*, 7-8, 2009 new date!
February 12*, 14-15, 2009
February 19*, 21-22, 2009
March 5*, 7-8, 2009
March 19*, 21-22, 2009

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

If you cannot attend the integral Theory Session held in advance, please consider taking our Whistler-based AST course that does not include mid-week evening sessions.

Avalanche Safety Weekend (AST-1) for Snowshoers
A 16-hour course designed specifically for snowshoers covering the same technical and practical skills as the Skiers/Boarders course. The 1st theory session is held on the morning of the first day, followed by a full day in the field. On day 2, you will head to a different location for further training and practice in the field, with a final wrap-up session in the classroom after the field session.

This course is designed for snowshoers who are venturing into the backcountry, but are not interested in skiing or 'boarding.

Dates for Snowshoers (2009 season):
Class sessions are held in North Vancouver on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon; field sessions held on Mount Seymour and possible alternate locations on Saturday and Sunday.

January 17-18, 2009
January 31 - Feb. 1, 2009
February 7-8, 2009 new date!
February 14-15, 2009
February 28 - Mar. 1, 2009

The final wrap up session is held in a classroom at the Base of Blackcomb Mountain immediately after the 2nd field session for skiers and snowboarders courses. Snowshoe courses will use an alternate location to be determined based on location used for the 2nd field day.

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 (skiers/boarders course only), 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 8-hour 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!

• 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.

Students are reminded of the importance of arriving 10-15 minutes early to the field sessions. 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.