AST 1 Course Equipment List 

You need to have everything on the list!

WHAT I CAN PROVIDE

I can provide the following:

  • Transceiver (charge of $15/day applies)

  • Shovel (no charge)

  • Probe (no charge)

The instructor will have this equipment on hand on Day 1 of the course. Please bring $15 cash if you want to rent a transceiver.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVERS

  • We only allow MODERN DIGITAL TRANSCEIVERS on our trips.

  • A transceiver with a MARKING FUNCTION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

  • Your transceiver must have been tested in both transmit and receive modes – it needs to have a signal at a minimum of 30 metres in both modes.

  • A transceiver with a “marking” function that is “persistent” is highly recommended.

  • Note that BCA Tracker transceivers do not have a persistent marking function. BCA Tracker transceivers are allowed on the course but one of the transceivers listed below is recommended.

  • I can recommend the following transceiver manufacturers:

    • Pieps

    • Black Diamond

    • Mammut/Barryvox

  • Many manufacturers have a “professional” level transceiver. If you have never used a transceiver before it is recommended you buy or rent a simpler, recreational-level transceiver as long as it has a persistent marking function.

  • It is best if your transceiver is less than 10 years old.

THE LIST

If you want to print this list you can cut and paste it into any text edit application.

CLASSROOM MATERIALS

Please bring the following to the classroom day:

  • Notepad, pen/pencil

  • Laptop/mobile device (optional)

  • Water

  • Lunch, water, snacks

  • Clothing and boots to spend time outdoors in case we do an afternoon transceiver session outside.

Provided Classroom Materials

  • AST Handbook (textbook)

  • Avaluator card

optional additional materials

  • Textbook. Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper works well.

  • Maps for the Wapta/Bow Summit area and Rogers Pass. You may share maps with other students if you wish. You can buy a map of the Bow Summit/Wapta area here or you can buy one from me during the course.

  • Ski touring guidebooks for the Canadian Rockies and Rogers Pass. Check some out here and here. You may share guidebooks with other students.

SKI/Snowboard/snowshoe EQUIPMENT

  • AT touring skis OR telemark skis OR splitboard OR snowshoes

  • For courses before December 15 snowshoes will work as well as anything. For courses later in the winter skis or a splitboard will be helpful but snowshoes are ok too.

  • If using snowshoes, a pair of ski poles is helpful.

  • If using snowshoes you need warm, insulated, winter boots. Snowboard or ski boots are better than uninsulated shoes. Hiking shoes are not allowed, if you wear them you will not be allowed on the field day.

  • If using touring gear or splitboard: skins, touring specific boots (for skiers), poles.

EQUIPMENT THAT YOU SHOULD BRING on the field day

  • Digital avalanche transceiver (marking function recommended)

  • Avalanche shovel

  • Avalanche probe

  • Helmet (optional)

  • Sunglasses

  • Goggles

  • Water bottle and/or thermos

  • Small headlamp

  • Small personal first aid/repair kit: band aids, blister kit, headache pills, hand and toe warmers, extra batteries for transceiver and headlamp, duct tape, pocket knife, special binding and boot parts.

  • Toilet kit: toilet paper, baggie for used paper, hand sanitizer

  • Camera

  • Health insurance information

  • 35-45 L capacity backpack

    • All your gear and clothing must fit inside your pack

    • Nothing should be strapped to the outside.

CLOTHING SYSTEMS for the field day

  • Average temperatures are normally about -5 to -15 but you need to be prepared for temperatures from -25 to +5

  • If you do not have adequate clothing systems for the expected weather you will not be allowed to attend the field day

  • Several thin layers are better than fewer thicker layers. No cotton!

  • Long underwear tops and bottoms - wool or synthetic

  • Ski pants – softshell or light hardshell pants both are fine

  • Thin windbreaker/softshell - for walking uphill in warm conditions

  • Warmer softshell jacket – I prefer a hooded jacket but it’s absolutely necessary

  • Shell jacket – to keep the wet out, Gore-tex or similar seems best

  • Down or synthetic insulated jacket – for breaks and emergency use

  • Lightweight gloves – for walking uphill in warm conditions

  • Warm gloves – 2 pairs (mittens are optional but recommended if you get cold hands)

  • Hand warmers if you get cold hands

  • Warm toque for skiing down

  • Lightweight toque for walking up

  • Balaclava or neck tube – essential for cold conditions

  • Sun hat

optional snow study equipment

each instructor will provide:

  • Group first aid kit

  • Group repair kit

  • Emergency toboggan/shelter

  • Radio

  • GPS, compass, map etc

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