Details

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (AST 1) is your stepping stone into the backcountry. This course is a must have if you plan on ducking that rope & leaving the resort behind.

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Need to know details:

• 2 day course – 1 day in the classroom & 1 day in the backcountry
• Beginner course
• Minimum amount of training required if you are headed into the backcountry
• To register click Book Now, scroll down to desired location, select course dates
• Stay Wild is an Avalanche Canada AST provider

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What you will learn:

• Avalanche formation & release
• How to identify avalanche terrain
• Basic trip planning
• The ins & outs of the Avalanche Forecast
• Human factors & tools to mitigate them
• Tools & resources to mitigate avalanche risk
• Safe travel techniques
• Basic companion rescue
• How to use transceiver, probe & shovel
• How to dig a snow pit & perform a compression test

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The classroom session can be split into two evenings allowing you to shred during the day!

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AST 1 will follow the curriculum provided by Avalanche Canada and will provide you with the knowledge necessary for you to further your education with Managing Avalanche Terrain,Companion Rescue, AST 2 or CAA Level 1 Avalanche Operations.

Check out our Shreducation Flow Chart to see where your training can take you! 

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Prerequisites:

• Comfortable skiing or snowboarding on blue & some black runs at the resort

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Helpful but not required:

• Skiers: practice putting skins on & taking them off, practice with bindings & go for a little stroll in a flat field or around the yard  to get the feel for your equipment
•  Snowboarders: practice turning your snowboard into two planks & back to one, practice putting skins on, go for a stroll in a flat field or around the yard to get a feel for your board

*We do not have a ton of time on the field day to teach how to use equipment / how to tour. Check out our Learn to Walk Uphill Camp if you are interested in learning the need to know details when starting out!

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Necessary equipment:

• Transceiver (recommended 3 antenna)
• Probe (recommended 3 meter)
• Shovel
• Helmet
• Touring equipment (touring skis / or splitboard / or snowshoes, skins, poles)
• Backpack
• Lift ticket to the resort to access Backcountry (required at certain locations, 1 ride ticket available at Big White)
• Appropriate clothing for a day in the backcountry
• Food
• Helmet
• Courses are available at the ski hill if touring equipment is not available

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Cost:

$229 per person + GST

*Does NOT include lift ticket for the field day.

$385 + GST per person with Learn To Walk Uphill add on

Private Group Pricing:

$950 + GST up to 4 people
$1435 + GST up to 6 people
$1900 + GST up to 8 people

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Looking for equipment rentals?

We now offer splitboard rentals out of Golden, BC!

For skis & safety equipment check out:

• Selkirk Sports & Avalanche Safety Solutions in Golden
• MEC in Kelowna
• Revelstoke Powder Rentals 

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*Available as an add on for Touring Camps

Women’s Specific AST 1 courses are available

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Course outline:

Day 1:
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Classroom session
*Evening classroom sessions are from 6pm – 10 pm both nights

Day 2:
8:45 am – 4:00 pm
Field day located in the backcountry

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Waiver:

• Waiver

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Refund Policy: If cancelled within 14 days of the course / camp you will not receive a refund unless your spot can be filled. If cancelled before the 14 day mark you will be charged a $35 processing fee and receive a full refund minus $35. Please note that if the minimum number of people to run a course is not met the course will be cancelled and you will receive a full refund.