Avalanche Skills Training
Join Mark Klassen or another experienced instructor to learn about avalanche safety. Our courses use the Avalanche Canada curriculum and are based in Banff and Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. These programmes are designed for skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers.
A skier triggered slab avalanche
Avalanche Skills Training 1
The AST 1 will provide an entry-level decision-making framework. We focus on understanding avalanche bulletins, making good observations in the field, and recognizing avalanche terrain.
It is a course for those who have little experience in winter backcountry travel. It may also be a good overview for people who have some experience but no formal training.
This course is for skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers. If you plan to ski you will need touring equipment. Snowboarders may use a splitboard or snowshoes. The terrain requires that you have an intermediate level of skiing or snowboarding ability. If you can get down a blue run at the ski hill you are ready to learn about avalanches!
“I got a lot out of the AST course and I think my boys did as well. I can see now that backcountry skiing should involve continuous learning and we hopefully have a good base to embark on that journey. Mark is a great guide and instructor. My older son in particular benefits from having a mountain guide as a mentor / instructor as he aspires to much of the same adventure in the alpine on rock, snow and ice as Mark has spent a career chasing.”
Private bookings
Instructors may be available for private bookings. The course is 2 days long. Please inquire as to availability and pricing.
AST 1 DATES, Location and pricing
We do not have any AST 2 courses scheduled for this season. Contact me if you have a group and would like to organize a private course.
Date: There are no courses scheduled for this season
Course includes Avaluator decision-making aid and textbook.