Are you looking to get away from the bustle of resorts and into the calm of the mountains (anyone else finding that nature is just about the only thing keeping them grounded right now?)
The Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (AST 1) if your first step to exploring the beautiful badass mountains that surround us.
The AST 1 will set you up with the knowledge & skills to start adventuring beyond the resort.
We’re stoked to offer the in-class portion of our AST 1 as an online course!
We’re excited about this development because it means you can take the in-class portion of the AST 1 course from the comfort of your home and join us for a field day whenever it works best for you!
Not ready to sign up for an AST 1 field day or live far away but still want to learn?
No problem!
You can register for just the online AST 1 course to get your avalanche education started and join us for a field day down the road when the time is right.
» 2 day course – 7 hours of online learning + an evening session with your instructor (via zoom) + 1 day in the backcountry
» Online course can be completed anywhere at anytime!
» Beginner course
» Minimum amount of training required for backcountry travel
» To register click Book Now → choose desired location → select availability
» Stay Wild is an Avalanche Canada certified AST provider
Check out our post on what to expect during your AST 1.
To register for your full AST 1 select the BOOK NOW button below to select a location & date
or view our course schedule
→ Select location → click availability → select date from calendar → book now
AST 1 field days are available in Golden, Revelstoke, Fernie, Big White and Kimberley.
Private AST 1’s are available & all the rage this season.
We are very excited to announce that we have partnered up with the Blue Green Planet Project for this upcoming season.
We have commited to planting a tree for every course registration we receive!
To learn more follow this link to a write up we did about the Blue Green Planet Project.
When you register for your Avalanche Skills Training (AST 1), you will get access to our custom online course!
You can complete this in the comfort of your own home over several days. We will meet up via zoom the evening before the field day to answer any questions & drive home key points.
» You will be invited to our private facebook group where you can posts questions, tell stories & meet other like minded people!
» We are always happy to answer questions or clarify concepts through email or a phone call
»We will meet the evening before the field day via zoom to drive home key points & answer questions
» You can follow this link to view solutions to common roadblocks
» 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
Stay Wild’s AST 1 course will follow the Avalanche Canadas Curriculum as well as knowledge from our own experiences & key information to get you started in the backcountry.
Following completion of the AST 1 you can 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!
» Comfortable skiing or snowboarding on black runs at the resort
» Physically fit
» 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
» Transceiver (recommended 3 antenna)
» Probe (recommended 3 meter)
» Shovel
» Helmet
» Touring equipment (touring skis / or splitboard / or snowshoes & snowboard (No snow shoes at our Revelstoke location), skins, poles)
» Backpack
» Lift ticket to the resort to access Backcountry (required at Fernie, Kicking Horse & Big White)
Discounted passes available for Big White & Kicking Horse
» Appropriate clothing for a day in the backcountry
» Food
»Helmet
» We offer transceiver, probe, shovel & backpack rentals at our Golden & Big White locations!
You can add on the rental at checkout for $40
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For touring skis, splitboards & safety equipment check out:
» Selkirk Sports (receive 10% off when you mention us!) & Avalanche Safety Solutions in Golden
» Mountain Lifestyle shop in Kelowna
Please look into rentals before booking or ask friends if you can borrow gear.
$269 per person + GST
Does NOT include lift ticket for the field day.
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$1400 + GST up to 4 people
$1650 + GST up to 6 people
$2150 + GST up to 8 people
Stay Wild offers exclusive women’s-only avalanche training classes in addition to our co-ed course. As a female-led company, our instructors have been the only gal in the shred crew or avy safety course way too often.
While we love the men that come out for our co-ed camps & our two lovely token instructors, there’s something magical about like-minded ladies learning together and having a killer day on the mountain.
When booking you will see the option / dates for our women’s specific courses.
When you register for the AST 1 you will gain access to our custom online course (we did our best to keep it spicy & throw some jokes in there to keep you going).
The online course legit takes 7 hours! We are not exaggerating. Learn at your own pace & complete lessons when you have spare time.
We will have a zoom meeting the evening before the field day to answer any questions & drive home key concepts.
The online course can be completed anywhere at anytime! Some students prefer to go through it right away and then skim through for a refresh before the start of their course.
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8:30 am – 4:00 pm
You will be emailed details on location & logistics regarding the field day.
Golden
Revelstoke
Fernie
Kimberley
Big White
Online courses are non-refundable.
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14+ days before the start of your AST 1
If you cancel your AST 1 course you will receive a refund of 50% if cancelled 14+ days before the start date of your course & have continued access to the online course. If you do sign up again in the future you will only be charged for the field day.
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0 – 14 days before the start of your AST 1
If cancelled within 14 days of the start date of your course you will not receive a refund unless your spot can be filled.
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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.
If you are sick with Covid 19 & can not make it to your scheduled course you will receive a credit to use at a later date with Stay Wild Backcountry Skills. We will work together with you to find a date that works when you are feeling better.
You will be required to provide a positive covid test result to receive a credit.
Please follow the latest CDC / provincial guidelines regarding covid.
