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Whistler Avalanche Courses
Avalanche Skills Training Level 2

Please Read! – Before you book, you are require to read and agree to the terms of our “Release of Liability” Waiver Form here: Sign Electronic Wavier

This course is based in Whistler and it’s field days are in the backcountry next to Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. Backcountry lift ticket can be prearrange with our office. Anyone coming from Vancouver Must have accommodation OR plan for long drives with unexpecting road delays. Custom courses in the sea to sky are welcome and can be pre-arranged. Contact our office for details.

Whistler avalanche courses AST2 is the natural progression of the AST1 for skiers and boarders looking to build a solid foundation for safe winter travel in the mountains. In AST2 there is emphasis on snow profile interpretation and recording, terrain rating, route selection and advance companion rescue.

Learning outcome: Strong foundations in hazard analysis, route planning and  traveling proceedures in avalanche terrain

  • Video recordings of our AOC level 1-2-3
  • Increased understanding of avalanche formation and release
  • Increased understanding of route planning and navigation
  • Daily proceedures and safety routines
  • Track setting and group management
  • Snow test and field observations
  • Advance rescue technics and multi burial scenarios
  • Weather forecasting
  • Terrain management

Location: Sea to Sky Backcountry
Duration: 4.5 days
Distance: 8-11 km / day
Terrain: Simple to Challenging
Difficulty: Challenging
Ratio: 6:1
Prerequisites: AST Lv 1, good fitness level, strong intermediate skier or snowboarder able to link turn on 40 degrees slope in variable snow conditions. This course is Not For beginner skiers and snowboarders 

Itinerary

Day 1: 7pm – 830pm (Zoom online presentation (90min.)

Day 2: 8-4pm (Field day)
Whistler Blackcomb – Weather forcasting, trip planning, companion rescue

Day 3: 8-4pm (Field day)
Whistler Blackcomb – Weather forcasting, trip planning, snow science

Day 4: 8-4pm (Field day)
Whistler Blackcomb – Weather forcasting, trip planning, navigation and terrain evalution

Day 5: 8-4pm (Field day)
Whistler Blackcomb – Weather forcasting, trip planning, leadership, objective related to conditions and group management

Includes: Avalanche Canada field book, Avaluator, student online resources, and completion certificate.

Participants must pick up their rental equipment before the course begins. Participants are to provide their own food and water and tranportation to trail head for the field days. Avalanche safety equipment rental available.

Gear List

  • Avalanche Safety Kit (Transceiver, Probe, Shovel)
  • Backcountry skis /  Splitboard
  • Climbing skins
  • Ski poles
  • Transceiver, Probe, Shovel
  • 30L daypack
  • Lunch and water
  • Headlamp
  • Compass (optional)
  • Small first aid kit

2023-24 Courses Dates:

Dec. 1st-2nd-3rd-9th-10th (Split weekends)

Dec. 26th-30th (4.5 days straight)

Jan. 8th-12th (4.5 days straight)

Jan. 19th-20th-21st-27th-28 (Split weekends)

Feb. 2nd-3rd-4th-10-11th (Split weekends)

Feb. 12th-16th (4.5 days straight)

Mar. 4th-8th (4.5 days straight)