Basic Avalanche Training - Before exploring the mountains, it is essential that you understand the basics of avalanche safety - including how to navigate, determine your safety, and more. Learn More
Advanced Avalanche Training - For people with intermediate knowledge and mountain experience, AST 2 offers next-level training in avalanche safety and more.
Learn More
Every person in your party needs to have the right rescue equipment and know how to use it. Learn more about travelling in avalanche terrain. Avalanche Skills Training (AST) courses equip you to get the most out of your mountain snowmobiling experience. Knowledge, planning and carrying the proper safety equipment are the keys to fully experiencing Canada's spectacular mountain terrain and more.
It is essential that people who wish to explore Canada's spectacular mountains are well trained in how to safely navigate avalanche terrain. Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Courses provide you with the information and skills you need to identify the dangers around you and travel safely. They also offer essential tools for trip-planning and rescues and more.
Download the official Canadian Avalanche Centre iPhone app and receive up to date avalanche forecasts for your area.
The AST 1 Course provides an
entry-level decision-making
framework, based on the most
advanced knowledge available, for
people with basic training and little
experience. With over 7 hrs of classroom
time required and 1 day of field training,
participants will learn the basics of avalanche
safety: how to identify avalanche terrain and how
to plan and carry out a trip. They will also be introduced to tools such as:
The Avaluator, Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES), Avalanche Danger Ratings and Avalanche Bulletins.
This course also provides basic training in how to carry out a companion rescue and more. Read full details
The AST 2 Course provides an
intermediate-level decision-making
framework, based on the most
advanced knowledge available, for
people with a moderate degree of training
and experience. With over 9hrs of classroom
time required and 3 days spent in field
training, participants will learn to determine
avalanche safety by using different safety tools. This course will also provide the prerequisite knowledge for any further avalanche training and more. Read full details
The Companion Rescue Skills course can be used as the first stepping stone to avalanche training and can also be used as a refresher for those who have previous training in either AST 1 or AST 2 or other avalanche training. The vital skills covered in this course are a "must have" for all backcountry recreationists, whether you ski, board, sled, hike or climb. Read full details
First tracks may not trigger a slide, and the conditions may have changed since those tracks were made. Besides, you might be following someone who is not aware of the current avalanche danger.
A transceiver is not a force field - it doesn't protect you from avalanches. Transceivers improve your chances of survival if you know how to use it, but only about a third of completely buried people are found alive. Transceivers do make body recovery easier, though.
Don't kid yourself. Snow stability changes - from season to season, day to day, even minute to minute.
Maybe. But they've got to be alive and be trained to find you.
Every person in your group needs to have a transceiver, probe and shovel and everyone needs to take the time to practice searching.
Consider buying an avalanche balloon pack. If you're caught in an avalanche, triggering the airbags to inflate will help you stay on top of the snow.
