Intro Ski Touring and AST 1 – North Vancouver and Whistler

• Avalanche
• Courses
• Ski Course
• Vancouver North Shore

Intro Ski Touring and AST Level 1 (Avalanche Safety Training) – North Vancouver and Whistler

Looking to get into backcountry skiing or split-boarding this season? Or maybe you’ve already got a few trips under your belt and want to further develop your skills. This is THE course for you.

The course combines our popular introduction to ski touring and AST 1 certification. The AST 1 component is based on the world leading curriculum developed by Avalanche Canada. Through out the course we focus on practical application of AST course content for ski touring. Our goal is to set you up with a solid foundation of avalanche knowledge, tools, and the ability to pull it all together make make smart decisions in the backcountry!

Who’s it for?

• New backcountry skiers and splitboarders (No prior touring experience is required)
• Can ski or ride a blue run inbounds confidently
• Fitness for up to 2-3 hours of travel per day

What you’ll learn:

AST 1 Component:

• Avalanche theory
• Companion Rescue
• Human Factors
• Terrain Identification
• Avalanche Danger Ratings
• Snowpack Analysis

Ski Touring Component:

• Equipment Selection and Usage
• Trip planning
• Safe Terrain Usage
• Efficient Uphill Track Setting
• Modern Navigation
• Weather Tools

Itinerary:

• Online Course: 4-6 hour online avalanche theory course. Complete at your own pace during the week prior to field session.
• Online Meeting: 7PM on evening before field day
• Field Day 1 North Vancouver: 7AM – 3PM Mount Seymour Park. See below regarding our passenger shuttle van.
• Field Day 2 Whistler/Blackcomb: 8AM – 4PM

BC Ski Guides is stoked to be operating our new commercial passenger van for the 2021/22 season for trips to local North Vancouver parks. In recent years, the North Shore mountain parks have seen huge increase in the number of users and resulting pressure on limited parking spaces. Our shuttle van enables us help out by minimizing our impact on other local park users and has environmental benefits which we love! Please plan to meet our van at Parkgate Village at the base of Mount Seymour at 0630AM and depart shortly afterwards at 0700AM. More information including van COVID protocols will be provided during the online meeting the evening prior to your field day.

Why take a course with us? We are a small dedicated group of professional guides and instructors. Our core mission is to develop backcountry ski culture on the North Shore. We view taking the course as your gateway into a lifetime of backcountry skiing!

Scheduled Courses – 2021/2022 Season

Important: You will be required to sign a waiver at the beginning of your course or guided trip. Please ensure you have read and understood the waiver prior to the course start date.
Avalanche Course Waiver: AvalancheCanadaWaiver2019.pdf