AST 1 Course Information Package

If you landed on this page from a Google search here is an overview of our AST 1 course and information on how to book, or read on for a detailed description.

If you have already signed up for a course please read this information package carefully. It should answer all your questions but if not you can contact me.

Course participants NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

Your Instructors

  • Mark Klassen. I have been working as a ski patroller, guide and avalanche forecaster since the mid 80's and am an ACMG/IFMGA certified Mountain guide.

  • Adam Greenberg is an ACMG certified Ski Guide who lives in Banff. Adam has been teaching many of the Town of Banff courses for a few years now.

  • Additional instructors will be present for classes with large enrolments. We add a second instructor for groups of 9 or more.

IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES (MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME)

Day 1:

  • We will start classroom sessions at 8.30 am.

  • Town of Banff BanffLife or MountainLife courses: Fenlands Recreation Centre, Banff.

  • For all other courses based in Banff/Lake Louise, excluding Town of Banff organized courses: Great Room, YWCA, Banff. Google Maps location.

  • For privately organized courses: Location will be announced. Start time 8.30 am.

Day 2: 

  • Town of Banff BanffLife or MountainLife courses: Fenlands Recreation Centre, 7 AM.

  • For all other courses based in Banff/Lake Louise: Lake Louise at the Lake Louise Hostel and Alpine Centre, 8 am.

  • For Banff/Lake Louise based courses: after some prep work there we will drive to Bow Summit for the field day. Expect to be finished in the field by 4 pm.

  • For privately organized courses: Meeting location and time will be announced.

Course Itinerary

Day 1: Classroom. Topics to be covered include:

  • Avalanche types and sizing

  • Mountain snowpack

  • Understanding avalanche bulletins

  • Decision making

  • Terrain evaluation

Details as to the duration and start time for this session TBA.

Day 2: Field day. We usually go to the Bow Summit area north of Lake Louise but we may choose other options, depending on conditions. We will start the day with a group meeting to review weather and avalanche information. In the field we will discuss snowpack and terrain, have a look at snow layering, and do an avalanche rescue practice. We will not travel very far on this day, it will be more observation and learning based.

Possible Itinerary Changes

There is always the possibility of having to change this itinerary due to weather or snow conditions.

Pre-Course Preparation

Before the course please do the following:

  • Keep track of what the weather is doing the week previous to the course. Avalanche Canada has a good weather resource here.

  • Keep track of the avalanche bulletins for Banff National Park for at least a week before the course. Use the glossary available on those bulletin pages to understand the different terms that are used.

  • Have a look at the Mountain Information Network and ACMG Mountain Condition Reports here.

  • Good touring information for Banff can be found here.

Equipment and materials required

Click here for a gear list.

Places to Stay

There are many hotels and hostels to stay at in both the Banff/Canmore area. For inexpensive accommodation I suggest:

  • Alpine Club of Canada Clubhouse (Canmore)

  • HI-Banff Alpine Centre (hostel)

  • YWCA (Banff)

  • Same Sun Hostel (Banff)

Safety in the Field

Safety is our first priority. There are a variety of ways you can help make this a safe trip for all of us:

  • Listen to the instructor's instructions and if you are uncertain of what is expected of you please ask

  • Take the online avalanche course at the Avalanche Canada website.

  • Practice with your avalanche transceiver before the trip. Make sure it both transmits and receives at least 30 m away. Understand all its functions and how to use them.

  • We will be able to communicate with each other and outside agencies with cell phones, radios and my InReach device.

Risk

It is important to understand that no matter how well prepared we are there is still an element of risk to backcountry skiing. To lower your risk do the prep work I’ve outlined in the safety section above. You can have a large impact in regards to your own safety!

Mountain Rescue and Rescue Insurance

Banff/Lake Louise based courses operate in the national or provincial parks where mountain rescue is provided free of charge (for national parks you need a valid vehicle permit to be covered for rescues).

Other courses may be run on BC crown lands. Generally mountain rescue is free in BC but it is not guaranteed to be so. In nearly thirty years of guiding I have only had two guest evacuations from the field for minor injuries and one for a medical condition. The probability that we will need a rescue are low.

You need to decide for yourself whether to buy rescue insurance for the small chance that we require a call out for outside resources and that you will be charged if those services are required. Please go to my Mountain Rescue Insurance page to learn more and see options for rescue insurance.

Medical Issues

If you have any pertinent medical issues that I should know about, please make sure you include that when you fill in the guest information form.

Remember, YOU NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

Questions?

Email me

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