Avalanche skills training (AST)

Learn from the Sea to Sky's leading avalanche skills educator.

Enhance your backcountry safety and rescue skills by learning from Sea to Sky’s top avalanche skills educators. Our expert instructors provide the latest Avalanche Skills Training (AST), ensuring you receive the most current knowledge and techniques. With our highly skilled AST instructors continually updating their expertise, you can trust that you are getting the best guidance to keep you safe while exploring the backcountry.

Continually build your avalanche skillset with our progression of courses. Our Intro to Backcountry course is available to introduce you to the necessary backcountry gear and touring techniques in a variety of terrain.

Avalanche Skills Training level 1, or AST 1, is where you will begin to learn about the hazards around you. Our one-day AST refresher course is great for sharpening your companion rescue skills. Then, the next course on your list should be the AST 2. This level 2 avalanche course is where you’ll gain the knowledge needed to make informed backcountry decisions.

Courses below…

Avalanche Skills Training Courses

Nov - Apr

AST 1 Whistler

Duration: 2 Days

Prerequisites: Average Fitness & Intermediate Skier

The first step in Avalanche Canada’s Avalanche Skills Training, AST1, builds essential skills for safe travel in the mountains.

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Nov - Apr

Women's AST 1

Duration: 2 Days

Prerequisites: Average Fitness & Intermediate Skier

Part of our Women’s Backcountry Series, AST1 will build fundamental skills for safe travel through the mountains.

Nov - Apr

AST 2 Whistler

Duration: 4 Days

Prerequisites: Good Fitness, Backcountry Experience & AST 1 

The second step in Avalanche Canada’s Avalanche Skills Training, AST2 equips participants with the essential knowledge and skills needed to advance beyond beginner backcountry travel.

Nov - Apr

Hut Based AST 2

Duration: 4 Days

Prerequisites: Good Fitness, Backcountry Experience & AST 1 

Enhance your skills while staying at one of BC’s stunning alpine huts! The AST2 course will provide you with advanced techniques to safely explore more exciting terrain.

Nov - Apr

Women's AST 2 Whistler

Duration: 4 Days

Prerequisites: See Course Page

The AST 2 course includes one classroom day and three days of comprehensive field sessions focused on advanced terrain analysis, snowpack evaluation, and rescue techniques.

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AST 1+ Whistler

Duration: 3 Days

Prerequisites: Good Fitness & Intermediate Skier

AST1+ includes an additional day for AST1 to practice and refine essential skills in the field.

Nov - Apr

AST 1 Squamish

Duration: 2 Days

Prerequisites: Average Fitness & Intermediate Skier

The leading avalanche skills provider in the Sea-to-Sky region also offers AST1 training in Squamish. Get the same great training, now closer to home!

Nov - Apr

Teen AST 1 Whistler

Duration: 2 Days

Prerequisites: Average Fitness & Intermediate Skier

MSAA’s Teen AST guides possess the skills and experience needed to work with youth aged 13-16, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of enjoyable backcountry adventures.

Nov - Apr

Companion Rescue Clinic

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: AST 1

This clinic will polish your existing skills and introduce advanced techniques for faster rescue or complex scenarios.

Nov - Apr

Women's COMPANION RESCUE SKILLS CLINIC

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Average Fitness & Intermediate Skier

Join a guide for a day to learn the latest Search and Rescue techniques, enhancing your value as a member of your touring party.

Nov - Apr

Avalanche Skills Refresher

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Average Fitness, AST 1

Is your backcountry skillset a bit rusty? Join an AST1 field day to refresh your fundamental knowledge and skills.

Nov - Apr

AST 1 Snowshoe - Squamish

Duration: 2 Days

Prerequisites: Average Fitness

Our two-day AST 1 course offers avalanche skills training that covers avalanche phenomena, trip planning, safe travel principles in the backcountry, avalanche rescue, and much more.

Nov - Apr

AST 1 Snowshoe - Whistler

Duration: 2 Days

Prerequisites: Average Fitness

This introductory avalanche skills course is designed for snowshoers, hikers, and ice climbers who want to develop the skills for safe travel in backcountry terrain where avalanche hazard exists.

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UNSURE WHICH COURSE TO TAKE?

Have a question about one of our courses, guided trips or tour? Speak with one of our expert guides today.