Day 1 - Classroom Day
- Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Revelstoke. You will be emailed exact location information.
This is a typical classroom day format, except that this content intensive evening will start you on your path to making life-saving decisions in the winter backcountry terrain. Expect to be sitting for 3 hours, taking notes, and engaging with the material.
We will discuss the avalanche phenomena and avalanche terrain. You will learn how to find, use, and interpret, the Avalanche Danger Scale and the Public Avalanche Bulletin. Time is also devoted to understanding human factors, and the major role they play in decision making.
Please bring your transceiver to the classroom sessions!
Day 2 - Class/Outdoor Day
- Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Location: Same as yesterday.
Be prepared for another 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, as well as your ski-touring set-up to the 2nd classroom day.
There will be a few hours of outdoor activities. Dress accordingly.
Day 3 - Field Day
- Time: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Location: Meeting at Starbucks 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 day three 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.
