AST 1 Course

IN golden? BRING YOUR CREW.

Price
$395
per person · groups of 4+

When
Your Crew, Your Dates
Private Courses available all winter

Day 1
Theory on Zoom
From home, 9:00 am start

Day 2
KHMR Backcountry
Field Day, ~9:00 am meet

Group size
Max 8 per instructor
ACMG Guides & CAA Avalanche Educators

Included
Rescue gear
Transceiver, Probe, Shovel + Certificate

Pick Your Dates Talk to a Program Manager

Bring your crew of 4+ and pick your own dates for a private AST 1 in Golden, BC. Your field day takes place in the backcountry right around Kicking Horse Mountain Resort: ride the gondola up, skip the long approach, and spend the day up high, learning more and fitting in a few good descents.

How To Book:

Pick your dates: choose your crew size and start date in the calendar.
Book online: follow the steps through our booking portal.
We’ll confirm: once a guide is confirmed for your dates, our Program Managers will be in touch and your booking will switch from “Pending” to “Confirmed.” Easy!

Pick your dates

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Theory 7.5hrs

Hosted via Zoom Meeting

0830hrs - Zoom Meeting Waiting Room Opens
0900hrs - Zoom Meeting Opens
0900-0915hrs - Instructor Introductions, Course Goals, Agendas, Review Timings & Schedule, Presentation of Waiver of Liability Documents
0915 - 1200hrs - Curriculum (Theory)
- Understanding Avalanches: Formation & Characteristic
- Avalanche Terrain Recognition
- Introduction to the ATES (Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale)
- Introduction to Terrain Traps
1200 - 1300hrs - Lunch
1300 - 1630hrs - Curriculum (Theory)
- Learn how to unpack and use The Public Avalanche Bulletin
- Introduction to Decision-Making Competence, Decision-Making Quality
- Learn how Human Factors & Human Bias can impact risk levels in the Backcountry
- Learn the primary support structures to aid you in your decision-making
- Intro to the AVALUATOR
- Introduction to Google Earth as a pre-trip planning tool
- Introduction to technical weather models, and creating your own forecast
- Introduction to Good Travel Habits in the Backcountry
- Introduction to Avalanche Rescue Techniques (theory)
- Gear and Equipment Review
- Discuss Student Groups for Field Day & Review Meeting Location and Timing for Field Day

Day 2 – Field Day. 7-8hrs

Generally the Field Day will be based from areas surrounding the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

Meeting Time TBA. Start Times vary based on location - approx. 0900-0930hrs.

Meet Your Field Guides / Instructors
AM Hazard Evaluation Meeting - Group Exercise
- Discuss changes to your weather forecast overnight with your Guide, and assess impacts on Avalanche Hazard Ratings.
- Review General Plan for the Field Day, including essential equipment required, and emergency response procedures.
- Review inputs in the Public Avalanche Bulletin, and relate information in this product directly to our proposed trip plan.
- Guides to present Waiver of Liability Forms for Students.
- Companion / Avalanche Rescue Gear student sign out.
- Depart for Field Day.
Session One - Avalanche Transceiver Basics
- Introduction of Basic Functions - ON/OFF + Search, Send and Group Check Modes.
- Wearing your beacon: Pro's and Con's of wearing in the harness vs. a garment pocket.
- Learn about transceiver interference: how tech devices, magnets and other objects can interfere with your transceivers transmitting signal.
- Learn to complete a "Range Function Check", ensuring your transceiver is functional at a minimum range of 40m.
- Learn to complete a "Transmit Function Check", ensuring all group members are emitting a transmitting signal as they leave the trailhead and enter the field.
Session Two - Terrain Recognition & Verification. The ATES Rating Scale. Developing your Information Set.
- During this session, we'll begin to put into context the terrain principles learned in your Day 1 Theory session.
- Learn to recognize the difference between avalanche and non-avalanche terrain.
- Learn to recognize evidence of past avalanches to gauge your exposure to potential avalanche hazard.
- Learn the basics of verifying your position on the terrain, using natural and environmental indicators.
- Learn Slope Angle Verification.
- Learn to recognize how snow is redistributed by wind in the terrain, creating areas of increased stress in the snowpack.
- Learn to recognize how slope aspect and sun exposure can impact the snowpack.
- Apply key terrain terminology to features in the field.
- Learn the basics of gathering snowpack information during travel.
- Correlate information provided in the Public Avalanche Bulletin and begin to verify the presence of Avalanche Problems in the snowpack during travel.
Session Three - Using Your AVALUATOR Card
- Learn to use your AVALUATOR Card in the field to aid in decision-making and risk management.
Session Four - Introduction to Snow Profiles
- Guides demonstrate how to choose a Snow Profile (Pit) location representative of the terrain you want to access.
- Learn how to ID the layers of concern, and relate them to the specific problems listed in the Public Avalanche Bulletin.
- Learn the Compression Test. A foundational snowpack stability test.
Session Five - Avalanche (Companion) Rescue
- Learn the systematic process for single burial (victim) avalanche rescue.
  - Assign a leader.
  - Assess for remaining hazard, or risk of secondary avalanche.
  - Headcount.
  - Leader ensures all transceivers are turned to search mode.
  - Define the search field and the last seen point.
  - Perform signal, coarse, and fine search.
  - Use Pinpoint Probing to locate the victim.
  - Dig them out by using the conveyor belt shovelling method.

Logistics

Logistics to consider ahead of your AST 1 Golden Course:

ACCOMMODATION:
- There are many great accommodation options in Golden to choose from, including luxury chalets at the Cedar House, hotels like the Lodge and Lantern, Airbnb listings featuring cabins and townhouse apartments, to the Dreamcatcher Hostel, where many skiers & riders gather. We suggest checking out the different options and selecting the one you prefer as it's hard to go wrong with your choice.

TRIP FOOD & MEAL PROGRAMS:
- Students are responsible for their own meals. Two large grocery stores as well as a variety of restaurants will be available to you in the Golden Townsite.
TRANSPORTATION:
- Students are responsible for their own transportation on course.
KICKING HORSE MOUNTAIN RESORT - BACKCOUNTRY LIFT TICKET:
- You will require access or a lift pass for the KHMR Gondola for your field day.
- If you have purchased a one way "backcountry pass" from us at time of registration, your guide will have these available for you as you arrive on the field day.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Students will require one of the following travel equipment kits to join us on course:

Alpine Touring Skis
Splitboard

In addition students will require the following:

Climbing Skins - trimmed to fit your specific equipment
Ski Poles
1 of the following: Alpine Touring Ski Boots or Snowboard Boots
Daypack - IMPORTANT: You will require at minimum a 30L backpack. Anything smaller will not be sufficient to hold essential safety equipment.
Sunglasses (for the uptrack)
Ski Goggles (for the descent)
Lunch
Water
Thermos with a Hot Drink
Sunscreen
Small Blister Kit or Personal 1st Aid Kit
Small Repair Kit (optional)

Avalanche Rescue (Companion Rescue) Equipment:
If you have your own transceiver, probe, and shovel, it's best to arrive with your own equipment. For those requiring this essential equipment, we stock *new rescue equipment replaced yearly, for your use on course, at no extra cost. Our avalanche transceivers undergo weekly diagnostic testing to ensure proper function.

Avalanche Transceiver (3 antennae unit, must have been purchased new in past 4 years)
Avalanche Probe
Avalanche Shovel (metal blades only)

ESSENTIAL CLOTHING

On our AST 1, this essential clothing list is provided firstly to help support a better quality educational environment for you while on course. On the field day, there will be 20-30 min blocks where our Guides are demonstrating skill sets such as snow profiles and companion rescue where the group comes to a stop for longer periods. Having the right technical clothing that will keep you warm and dry, serves to provide you with a better quality learning environment.

Base Layers - Either wool or synthetic, or a polypro base layer are the best options. DO NOT wear cotton base layers!
Mid Layers - Again, wool, synthetic or polypro are best
Softshell Jacket or Gore-Tex Jacket
Softshell Pants or Gore-Tex Pants
Insulated Jacket - Large Parka style jackets are very important for the moments we are stopped during the field day. Down Parkas or Synthetic Down Parkas are a very important addition to your clothing systems for the course.
Socks - Wool blend, no cotton

TRIP CANCELLATION & INTERRUPTION INSURANCE

The AST Level 1 & 2 Courses are non-refundable. The best method to protect your investment with us should unforeseen arise, requiring you cancel your booking, is to purchase a Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance Policy.

Acera Insurance has covered many of Cloud Nine Guests on trips all over the world, and we have first-hand experience seeing these policies activated by our Guests.

Safeguard your trip costs and investment with us. Request a Quote from Acera Insurance.

Is this coverage required?

For Canadian Residents, coverage is suggested but not required to register.
For Non-Canadian Citizens, coverage is suggested but not required. It is strongly suggested that your policy includes Emergency Medical Coverage, unless you carry an alternative policy which will respond in the event of medical emergency.

For Canadian Residents, coverage is suggested by not required to register.
For Non-Canadian Citizens, coverage is suggested but not required. It is strongly suggested that your policy includes Emergency Medical Coverage, unless you carry alternative policy which will respond in the event of medical emergency.

WAIVER - Release of Liability & Indemnity Agreement

Prior to booking you will be required to acknowledge that you have been provided a copy of our Waiver of Liability Agreement for your review. All participants, or their legal guardians wishing to participate on any Cloud Nine Programs, must acknowledge that they have been presented this document, have read it in its entirety, and understand the agreement being entered into by signing. While there is no obligation to enter into this agreement with us, it is a condition of our service provision.

REVIEW OUR WAIVER OF LIABILITY HERE

Booking Terms & Conditions

Before you book your course, please review our Booking Terms & Conditions. We do not accept bookings without your voluntary acceptance of these terms. Please read carefully as these terms outline specific policies and guidance for both our staff and clients with respect to refunds, cancellations, rescheduling etc.

REVIEW OUR BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS HERE

Please note before booking: The AST Level 1 & 2 Courses are non-refundable programs.
Those wishing to reschedule their course dates, may only do so pending our course availability. Rescheduling or order changes will incur a $25 admin fee per occurrence.

FAQ's

First Question - Will we get to ski & ride?

Yes.

Learning how to manage descents is an essential skill set for traveling in avalanche terrain. The AST 1 is not a Guided Ski & Split weekend, but learning effective group management techniques, including how to set up a spotter above below, the ability to identify safe exit points mid-descent, and regroup positions free of hazard, are skills you'll require to safely acquire experience after the course. These are essential skills for any Backcountry traveller, which will be practiced during the course.

Do I need backcountry experience?

No, AST 1 is the best way to start your backcountry journey! You just need to be comfortable moving on skis or a splitboard for a full field day at a relaxed pace.

New to your touring gear? Bring it along; the course is a great place to get to know it. Before the field day, practice at home: putting on and taking off your skins, and switching your bindings between ski and walk mode (or your board to and from split mode). When it comes to movement in the mountains or transitions while on the course, our Guides are more than happy to provide tips and tricks to keep you moving on the field day.

What if I slow the group down or get left behind?

It's unlikely that an individual student could slow the group's progress to a point where the learning environment is compromised. Our Guides see hundreds of students on this course every season and often are required to cater to a variety of abilities and fitness levels.

If the day isn't flowing well, that's a reflection of us, not you.

What's Included?

Your course fee includes:

An Experienced ACMG Ski Guide, IFMGA Mountain Guide, or CAA Avalanche Educator for the duration of your program
An AVALUATOR Decision-Making Support Tool
Companion Rescue Reference Card
The Avalanche Skills Training Handbook
AST 1 Course Certificate
Avalanche Transceiver, Probe & Shovel

In need of avalanche rescue gear? Just request this equipment at time of booking and we'll have it for you on the field day.

What's Not Included?

The following is not included in your course fee:

Transportation
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Lift Pass
Meals
Accommodation
Ski & Splitboard Rentals

What if I have to cancel?

It's best to be sure you can attend the course if you plan on booking.

The AST 1 & AST 2 Courses are non-refundable.

You are free to sell your seat and transfer the booking to another person, or rebook for a later date within 1 calendar year of your cancellation. Each transfer or rebooking will incur a $25 administration fee.

AST 1 or AST 2: Which do I need?

Start with AST 1: a 2-day introduction to recognizing avalanche terrain, reading the avalanche forecast, planning your trips and companion rescue.

Once you've completed AST 1 and built up around 25–30 days in the backcountry, AST 2 is the 4-day next step, where you learn to plan and travel in complex terrain and make decisions when conditions are uncertain.

CHECK OUT OUR FULL LINE OF AST 1 COURSES

OR ADD AN AST CONNECT+ DAY TO YOUR COURSE THIS SEASON

AST CONNECT+

Got your AST 1? Turn it into real backcountry mileage with educational ski & split touring days that build your skills and confidence toward AST 2. From $289/day.