Whistler AST 1+

Our Whistler AST 1+ includes an extra field day that the regular AST 1 doesn't, ideal for people that really want some hands on learning in the snow.

Backcountry skiing, splitboarding and snowshoeing are exciting sports but without proper knowledge, enthusiasts often take unnecessary risks. Educate yourself with an investment in our AST 1+ Avalanche Skills Training Course! Proper training will make your winter travels in avalanche terrain safer and more enjoyable. Our avalanche safety instructors are  members of the Canadian Avalanche Association and Guides. Their extensive personal experience in winter guiding, avalanche operations and forecasting will add an extra dimension of interest to your training. Even better, we will spend 2 full days in the field instead of the much more common single day. This will allow you more time to learn and get confident traveling around in avalanche terrain.

Our Whistler AST 1+ course is based out of the Whistler area, north of Vancouver. After you have completed the online learning at home we will do a brief classroom session on the first day before heading out into the backcountry for some hands-on learning. The exact location of the field days will be based on current conditions and weather but we typically spend a day in the backcountry behind Whistler-Blackcomb with a second day on the other mountain or in some of the other local venues around the Sea to Sky such as Shannon Creek, Metal Dome, Callaghan, etc.

Other Options:

• If you just want a 1-day AST 1 Course: Classic AST 1
• If you have already taken an AST 1 and want to learn more check out an AST 2 course.

Pre-Trip Homework:

• Review Avy Savvy, specifically: 
  • Chapter 4: Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (Includes Online Trip Planner and Avaluator Trip Planner Exercises 
  • Chapter 5: The Avalanche Forecast (Including Avalanche Problems and the Avalanche Forecast Quiz) 
  • Chapter 6: The Daily Process (Including Route Finding Exercises). This section might be new for some depending on when they took their AST 1 course 
  • Chapter 7: Companion Rescue 

Waiver & Risk Management:

As you know, outdoor activities involve numerous hazards including, but not limited to, avalanches, crevasses, rockfall, slips and falls, equipment failure, poor weather, etc. And while we do our best to anticipate and mitigate these hazards we cannot completely eliminate them. So, as with anything fun, you will be required to sign our Participant Release to take part in one of our courses or trips.

The course will take place in an uncontrolledly backcountry winter environment. However, we will be on the periphery of avalanche terrain so as to enable us to run the course no matter what the avalanche danger is for that given day.  All our guides/instructors have an advanced first aid certification and carry first aid kits as well as emergency communication. The course is designed to provide a good platform for learning and is not meant to be overly physically challenging or to put you at risk. Our focus is on instruction so we find appropriate companion rescue and avalanche study areas close that are not overly difficult to access to maximize your avalanche education.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions: booking@blacksheepadventure.ca