AST 1 – Revelstoke – Rogers Pass

The AST 1 course in Revelstoke is an introductory training course for anyone skiing in the backcountry. Join our ACMG ski guides for 2.5 days of classroom and field-day learning.

About the Course

All participants must complete the waiver acknowledgement before booking.

Curriculum: The AST 1 Revelstoke, with a field trip to Rogers Pass, features a nationally-standardized curriculum developed by Avalanche Canada. This course is the essential first step in developing your decision making framework for venturing into winter backcountry avalanche terrain. Over two days, you will spend 8 hours in the classroom in Revelstoke learning theory, followed by a trip to the Rogers Pass backcountry putting theory into practice. All participants must read and agree to the terms of the waiver before booking an AST course.

At the end of the course you will be able to:

Recognize avalanche terrain
Match terrain to the avalanche hazard
Demonstrate methods of group travel that reduce risk in avalanche terrain
Interpret the avalanche forecast
Use avalanche rescue equipment and understand the basics of companion rescue
Understand factors that affect the seasonal snowpack
Know how to navigate the Rogers Pass Winter Permit
Obtain the AST 1 certificate

"This was an amazing course! We learned so much during the classroom sessions and then having the field day really made all the information come to life. I felt we all got to equally participate and it was very rewarding to work as a group. I loved digging the pit too!" - AST 1 Participant

Photo Gallery

our Instructors and Guides

The Mountain Addicts team is obsessed with safety. All of our guides are members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). The ACMG is the only internationally recognized professional association of trained and certified mountain guides and instructors in Canada. Our guides come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and Mountain Addicts will find your perfect match.

Mel Makepeace

Ski Guide & Owner

Mel is the owner of Mountain Addicts, an ACMG Ski Guide and Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association. She began her career as a ski patroller in 2008 and now travels the world ski touring and heli-ski guiding. Mel particularly loves facilitating mountain travel confidence in women.

Eric Dahlberg

ACMG Ski Guide

Eric is an ACMG Ski Guide, Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association, and Apprentice Rock Guide. Eric has a broad range of mountaineering experience and remains eternally enthusiastic. He looks forward to sharing his love for the mountains with you.

More Info

Ability to ski off-piste in a controlled manner.
Ability to ascend roughly 300-600 vertical meters over the course of the field day.
All participants are required to sign a waiver.

Day 1 - Class/Outdoor Day

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: information will be provided in your course specific logistics document.

Be prepared for a full day with loads of information. As we plan our field day, you will learn that travelling safely in avalanche terrain starts at home with trip planning. There will be a lot of emphasis on identifying avalanche terrain. We will also study companion rescue theory and head outdoors to begin practical companion rescue training.

We will have quick breaks throughout the day, but please bring lunch and snacks. Coffee/tea provided.

Please bring your transceiver, shovel, and probe to the classroom day for some outdoor companion rescue theory.

There will be a few hours of outdoor activities. Dress accordingly.

Day 2 - Field Day

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Meeting at Tim Hortons in Revelstoke and then driving to the trailhead in Rogers Pass.

Do the online quiz for your winter permit for Glacier National Park prior to the course. It’s free!

On the field day we put into practice the theory we covered in the classroom. We start the morning with a meeting discussing the Public Avalanche Bulletin, past, current, and expected weather, any changes we may need to make to our trip plan, and emergency protocols.

We will perform safety checks of our rescue gear and head out on the skin track. Travel will be limited as our goal is to cover the learning objectives: companion rescue skills, identifying avalanche terrain, and group travel habits that reduce your risk in avalanche terrain.

There will be two group rescue response scenarios, and we will finish the day with a contribution to the Mountain Information Network.

The AST 1 course will be taught by a member of the Canadian Avalanche Association, and field trips will be led by an ACMG Ski Guide, at minimum.

Equipment List

Required items: Please bring the following to the classroom sessions

Lunch & Snacks (We will have a break and there are food options near-by)
Pen & Paper
Note: coffee/tea are provided on Saturday at the classroom venue
Digital Avalanche Transceiver with Fresh Batteries: 3 Antenna type transceiver required, if you are unsure, send Mountain Addicts an email indicating the make and model of your transceiver.
Collapsible, metal, avalanche shovel
Collapsible avalanche probe
Optional compass with inclinometer

Required Items: Please bring the following on the field day

Glacier National Park Winter Permit and Parking Pass: Please complete the free online quiz and obtain your free permits and passes at least 2 weeks before the course date. If you are unable to do this, no worries, we’ve got you covered.
National Parks Pass: Please purchase your pass before the course if possible
Lunch & Snacks: Bring a variety of small snacks to eat on-the-go, such as bars, jerky, cheese, as well as a sandwich is recommended. We don’t often have the time/weather for a lengthy sit-down lunch which makes tupperware items requiring utensils impractical.
Water/Tea: A warm thermos of tea/hot chocolate as well as 1L of water, hydration packs are not recommended due to cold freezing the tube.
Digital Avalanche Transceiver
Avalanche Shovel: collapsible & metal
Collapsible Avalanche Probe: longer is better
Skis: ‘Alpine Touring with touring bindings’ or ‘Telemark’. Please practice transitioning your bindings from ski-mode to walk-mode and back again. Mel Makepeace loves the Icelantic Nomad Lite for ski touring performance.

Split Board: with split board skins. Please practice transitions from touring mode to riding mode at home before the field day

Ski Poles: recommended for all modes of travel
Climbing Skins ‘Stick-on type’
Boots: appropriate for your mode of snow travel
Day Pack: large enough for spare clothes, lunch, shovel and probe. 30 liter minimum size recommended.
Sunglasses and/or Ski Goggles: we recommend both as high output activities will fog up your goggles. Goggles with multiple lenses are especially handy; XSPEX Goggles “Chaos”
Sunscreen

Optional Equipment: Not essential, but feel free to bring

Chemical hand warmers & toe warmers packs
Snow Saw
Snow Study Kit
Field Book & Pencil
Compass, Inclinometer

Mountain Addicts have limited gear available to rent.

Field Day Clothing

During the field day there can be longer periods of inactivity in cold temperatures. To maximize your learning experience, be sure to bring lots of extra clothing so that you can focus on the course and not the cold. Bring clothing of varying thicknesses that can be ‘layered’ to achieve comfort and versatility. Cotton clothing is not appropriate as it causes rapid heat loss when wet. You may have heard the expression “Cotton Kills”.

Below is a recommended clothing list:

Base Layers (top and bottom): Wool or synthetic materials preferred, such as Rab® Forge Leggings and Top
Water Resistant Jacket: A quality hardshell for staying dry when it’s dumping is an essential piece of ski touring kit. Our guide’s use the Rab® Khroma Kinetic Jacket.
Water Resistant Ski Pants: Waterproof pants help keep you warm in the powder. Pants with ventilation that you can open and close are ideal. Check out the Rab® Khroma Kinetic Pants.
Warm Mid-Layer Shirt, Sweater, or Fleece such as the Rab ® Alpha Flash Jacket.
Insulated Jacket or Vest: A feather down or Primaloft™ insulated jacket is essential for staying warm while taking breaks or when the weather gets really cold. Don’t be afraid to double down! The Mountain Addicts love the Rab ® Neutrino Pro Jacket.
Socks: wool or synthetic, no cotton.
Wool or Fleece Hat that covers the ears.
Buff: great for protecting your face in cold and windy conditions. Mountain Addicts have buffs for sale.
2 Pair of Gloves: we always recommend ski touring with at least 2 pair of gloves. One pair for sweating in, and another pair for keeping your hands dry and warm. Check out these options: Rab ® Pivot GTX Glove and Rab ® Khroma Tour Infinium Gloves.
Ski Helmet: recommended for skiers and riders. We love Pret helmets!