Sea to Sky AST 2 Course
Types: Avalanche Safety, Winter

If the AST 2 course is the next step in your avalanche skills development then look no further! Our experienced instructors will help you develop the skills needed make that all-important GO, NO-GO call on your next backcountry adventure.
Sea to Sky AST 2 Course
The Avalanche Skills Training 2 – AST 2 course is your next step in avalanche skills development after completing an introductory course. To fully enjoy the backcountry it’s crucial you understand avalanche phenomena, recognize the terrain where avalanches occur and find routes that minimize risk. Our AST 2 course addresses these issues over a comprehensive four day training period.
If you’re a serious backcountry skier, ski mountaineer or split-boarder who wants to build a solid knowledge base to safely expand your backcountry horizons, then this is the avalanche awareness training course for you. It will be a valuable investment in your mountain safety training and will significantly increase your avalanche knowledge and experience.
This is a hands-on avalanche awareness training course featuring extensive practical field experience augmented with a self-directed online theory module. It builds on the knowledge and skills learned in the AST 1 by exploring more advanced topics and snowpack tests. The curriculum is designed to give a solid grounding in the essentials and is based on the requirements set out by Avalanche Canada. Your instructors are certified guides who are seasoned in ski touring, heliskiing and avalanche forecasting. This program is suitable for those who have taken the AST 1 Avalanche Skills Training Course in the past, or for experienced backcountry skiers looking to expand their skills.
Logistics:
Our courses are typically based out of the Squamish and Whistler area but we also offer a few hut or lodge based courses as well. Unlike most AST 2 courses that only include 3 field days, we cover most of the classroom material online followed by 4 days in the field. The exact location of the field days for our non-lodge trips will be based on current conditions and weather but you can expect 1 or 2 days off of Whistler-Blackcomb combined with days in the Squamish or Pemberton areas. Lift tickets are not included in the cost of the course.
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.
Fine Print:
- Lifetime deposits (deposits never expire)
- Canadian course prices are in CAD
- All courses are subject to 5% GST (tax)
- Payments made by credit card are subject to a 2.5% credit card fee
- Be sure to look over our Booking Policies
- Participants will be required to sign a BlackSheep Participant Release
Day 1 – Mixed Field & Classroom Day:
- 8:00am: Morning classroom session
- 11:30am: Head into the field for companion rescue training
- 4:00pm: Back at meeting location for pm debrief
Days 2 to 4 – Field Days:
- 8:00am: Morning classroom session
- 9:30am: Head out the door for a day of ski touring & learning
- 4:00pm: Back at meeting location for pm debrief
