AVALANCHE SKILLS TRAINING 1+ (AST 1+) - WHISTLER

AST1+ was developed by MSAA’s ACMG Mountain Guides/IMFGA and CAA Level 2 professionals with a core tenet in mind: perfect practice makes perfect. We start with an online self-paced course focusing snow, terrain, weather, rescue, and risk management.

Where AST1+ diverges is with two full days of learning, practicing, and honing skills in the field with the expert guidance of an MSAA . Students have the chance to look at more terrain with their guide, to get expert tips on travel and route selection, and to develop the muscle memory for fast, safe, and effective companion rescue.

Field days: Spend two days in the Whistler Blackcomb backcountry learning how to evaluate terrain, select travel routes, make decisions based on conditions and observations, perform snow stability assessments, and how to rescue companions during an emergency. The “plus” day provides time to hone new skills, and to take full advantage of our guides’ wealth of knowledge and experience!

Course includes:

• 4 hour self-paced online course using an online interactive learning platform
• Backcountry avalanche awareness book
• Avaluator booklet and avaluator slope assessment field card
• Canadian avalanche association mandatory student fee
• Companion rescue field card
• Use of snow study kit with thermometer, crystal screen and loupe
• Avalanche skills training level 1 certificate (upon successful completion)

Snowboarders: For this course we require that all snowboarders use a splitboard. We do not allow people to use snowshoes for this course.

Lift Ticket *field days only: If you do NOT currently possess a valid Whistler Blackcomb lift ticket (Seasons Pass, Spirit Pass, Edge Card, Epic Pass, etc.), you may buy a Lift Ticket through our office at checkout.

Online Self-Paced Classoom: (2-3hrs)

Everyone will have access to our self-paced online learning platform.

The guide will lead a short briefing (discussing current conditions and weather) and have everyone perform a gear check. From there you will head up the mountain to apply the skills you learned during the classroom. Each day will end at approximately 4:30pm with a quick debrief and discussion of what steps you can take after your AST1+.

Parking: Please note that the nearest parking for this course is located at the Whistler Day Lots

MSAA Loyalty Program: Following the AST-1 Course all students will be added to the MSAA loyalty program. All students will receive a 10% discount on any future course with MSAA. Following the AST-1 Course we reccomend all students take the AST-2 course within the next 1-2 seasons. For more information contact our office.

Rentals/Purchase:

If you require rentals we have teamed up with local rental companies to provide discounted rentals. Visit our rental page HERE for more information!

Online Course:

Field Days: Dress appropriately for the conditions.

Clothing:

• Weatherproof shell jacket and pants
• Down or synthetic insulated jacket
• Mid layer fleece top
• Insulating top and bottom under layers and socks
• Warm hat/toque and balaclava
• 2 pairs of gloves
• Sunglasses and sunscreen

Equipment:

• Lift Pass
• Backpack-25-35 Litres
• Alpine touring skis/splitboard, skins, bindings, and boots
• Avalanche Safety Kit (transceiver, shovel, probe)
• Helmet
• Poles
• First Aid Kit with blister kit
• Rite in the Rain notebook and pencil (optional)
• Map, compass, GPS (optional)
• Lunch, snacks, and water

Online Course:

• Snowpack: Crystals & Layers
• Terrain
• Environmental Factors in Avalanche Formation Terrain
• Avalanche Hazard Mitigation
• Avalanche Danger Resources
• Human Factors
• Equipment and Companion Rescue Technique Familiarization
• Pre-Trip Planning & Avalanche Bulletin/Avaluator
• Decision Making Competence

Field Days:

• Trailhead Procedures
• Companion Rescue
• Avalanche Terrain Travel
• Snowpack and/or Avalanche Observations
• Snowpack Tests
• Avalanche Terrain Descent

Click HERE for the full curriculum

Plus Day:

• Hazard identification accuracy; rating / type / layer / location / trigger / mitigation

• Safe, efficient, conservative approach, quality ski terrain identification, best; snow, aspects, elevation, incline, terrain type (anchors, trees or open, supported/unsupported) to ski/ride
• Snowpack Problems & Hazard Identification/Investigation/Mitigation Performance
• Downhill ski/riding Performance
• Human factors