AST 2 – Purcell Lodge

Day 1: Alpine Helicopter Hangar in Golden, BC at 7:45 am (local time)

We meet at the Alpine Helicopters base in Golden, BC to check equipment and have a pre-flight safety briefing before flying into Purcell Mountain Lodge. After settling into the lodge, we will complete an avalanche companion rescue instruction and practice session before heading out on our first ski tour in the area.

Each evening we will cover a short classroom session to give us the base theory needed for our field days. Topics include:

• Avalanche phenomena, formation and characteristics of avalanches
• Avalanche Terrain Recognition, introduction to the detailed Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale
• Changes in mountain snowpack and snow metamorphism
• Accessing and utilizing the Avalanche Danger Scale and Public Avalanche Bulletins
• Understanding snow stability and slab propagation tests
• Using the Avaluator™
• Backcountry travel preparation and planning

Days 2-4: Field days right at the doorstep of Purcell Mountain Lodge. Evening sessions in the comforts of the lodge will cover additional advanced theory.

There are countless options for ski touring and skill development on our field days. We will use the area to get the best value for learning avalanche skills and finding the best skiing and riding. You will be a part of the trip planning and decision-making process. Your participation in route selection as well as the danger assessments for the day is a critical part of your avalanche education.

Topics for the days include:

• Proper backcountry travel preparation for avalanche terrain
• Practical use of avalanche ‘danger scale’ and other observations
• Avalanche terrain recognition
• Route finding in avalanche terrain
• Practical use of the Avaluator™
• Weather, snowpack, and avalanche activity observations
• Snow profiles and stability tests such as the Compression and Extended Column tests
• Snow stability and avalanche danger analysis
• Decision making in avalanche terrain
• Group management and safety in the backcountry
• Human Factors in decision making
• Companion rescue skills including avalanche transceiver use, single and multiple burials, shovelling and probing techniques
• Evening sessions will be used to introduce additional topics and review the day’s learning

Day 5: Flight day – Purcell Mountain Lodge to Golden.

Our flight time of 9:30 am will land us back in Golden, BC where we finish an excellent learning experience in the mountains.

Instructors & Group Size

Yamnuska avalanche instructors are ACMG and IFMGA guides who are trained and certified by the Canadian Avalanche Association. They are true practitioners with years and in some cases, decades of experience in the backcountry, practicing what they preach.  Yamnuska has been offering Avalanche courses since the late 1970s and we have been instrumental in the curriculum development of the AST programs. We are proud of our rich history in training recreationists in Canada.   

The Purcell Mountain Lodge AST 2 has a maximum of 8 participants per instructor with a minimum of 6.

Program Logistics

We will meet at the Alpine Helicopters Hangar in Golden, BC at 7:45 am (local time) on day 1.

After introductions and an equipment check, we will be briefed on helicopter safety and have a scenic 15-minute flight from Golden to Purcell Mountain Lodge.

After settling into the lodge, we will complete an avalanche companion rescue instruction and practice session before heading out on our first ski tour in the area.

Each evening we will cover a short classroom session to give us the base theory needed for our field days

The next three days will be spent in the backcountry areas around the lodge.

Transportation

Participants are responsible for their own transport to Golden, BC. Golden is a 2-hour (165km) drive west from Canmore. Helicopter transport to and from Purcell Mountain Lodge is included.

If you are flying from afar for the program, we suggest that you rent a car for your visit.

Accommodation and Meals

Purcell Mountain Lodge has been in operation for 27 years and is located in the Northern Purcell Mountains at 2200 meters. The luxury backcountry lodge is situated at treeline with stunning views into the Selkirk Mountains to the West and North. They take pride in offering guests a truly unique and unforgettable mountain experience. After a day of adventure, guests can relax and unwind in their three-story, timber-framed lodge. Rooms are located on the upper floor and all come with mountain views that are guaranteed to inspire and refresh. Each room has its own sink and vanity and across the hallway, you will find three private hot showers and three private bathrooms. Luxury in the backcountry is complete with an open dining area, cozy living room, cedar wood-burning sauna, quiet library, entertaining traditional board games and puzzles, and wood-burning fireplace.

Four nights’ accommodations at Purcell Mountain Lodge are included. Choose from single or double occupancy. There is an additional charge for single occupancy.

We recommend that you book your own pre and post-trip accommodations in Golden, BC if needed.

All meals are included from buffet lunch on day 1 to departure breakfast on day 5. Purcell Mountain Lodge’s gourmet chef will prepare fresh, wholesome mountain-inspired meals. The Lodge can cater to each guest by accommodating any special dietary restrictions or allergy concerns. Delicious appetizers are served each day after skiing with a cold beer, or a glass of signature BC wine from their bar selection. Alcoholic beverages are an additional cost.

Note: Should we be unable to fly into Purcell Lodge on the scheduled day, any additional costs for accommodation or meals are not covered.

Due to helicopter capacity guests are permitted 35lbs of personal luggage, plus a day pack with extra ski clothing and their ski equipment. Luggage should be packed in a small to medium-sized duffle bag (traditional suitcases are not appropriate). Please note that guests will be asked to wear ski boots and helmets on the flight in order to reduce baggage space.

Equipment & Clothing

Yamnuska supplies classroom materials, avalanche equipment, and specialized snow study equipment only. Please bring a notebook and pen as well as your Avaluator ^TM from the AST 1 course. On the field days, Yamnuska will supply, upon request, an avalanche transceiver with batteries, an avalanche probe, and an avalanche shovel.  We also supply group snow study kits and snow saws.

You will need to bring:

Skis & Splitboard

Alpine Touring skis are essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding that allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then locks down to become like a regular downhill binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background in downhill skiing.

Splitboards – If boarding you need to be an advanced boarder and you must use a ‘splitboard’. A snowboard and snowshoe combination is not acceptable. Please don’t bring a board if you’ve never boarded in the backcountry before.  Poles are essential for boarders.

Equipment List

• Skis/Splitboards: We recommend a short (160 – 185cm) wide ski designed for powder. Snowboards must be splitboards.  Please see the note under rental information if you are renting ski equipment.
• Ski poles (for splitboarders as well)
• Climbing skins
• Daypack (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & equipment, 35L minimum recommended)
• Avalanche transceiver – a triple antennae digital transceiver.  If you have an older style, single or double antennae, we will loan you a transceiver for the program.
• Avalanche shovel (collapsible metal shovel designed for companion rescue, loaners available on request).
• Avalanche probe (loaners available on request).
• Avaluator™
• Sunglasses and/or ski goggles
• Thermos flask and/or water bottle (1 – 2 Liters)
• Sunscreen
• Small Blister and Personal 1st-Aid Kit
• Personal Toiletries including hand sanitizer
• Headlight with extra batteries
• Helmet (recommended) 
• Sleeping bag/blanket or duvet (please keep size to a sleeping bag sized package)
• Personal towels

Optional Equipment

• Camera
• Compass with clinometer
• Snow thermometer

Yamnuska supplies but feel free to bring if you have:

• Snow saw
• Snow Study Kit

Clothing List

On the field days, there can be prolonged periods of inactivity in very cold temperatures. We recommend bringing extra layers. Light clothing of varying thicknesses that can be ‘layered’ to achieve comfort and versatility. The most important consideration for clothing is the ability to regulate temperature as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest. Cotton clothing is not appropriate as it causes rapid heat loss when wet.

• Long Underwear (top and bottom). They should be synthetic such as Capilene or Merino Wool.
• Warm pants (softshell, insulated, or fleece)
• Warm shirt (not cotton)
• Sweater or fleece jacket
• Insulated jacket or vest. This is essential for staying warm while taking breaks or when the weather gets really cold.
• Waterproof jacket with hood and pants (Gore-Tex or nylon) A hardshell setup is essential when the weather turns really wet.  Gore-Tex, H2NO or similar material works great.
• Socks (wool outer, synthetic blend liner). A good pair of socks goes a long way in preventing blisters. (3 pairs)
• Wool or fleece hat that covers the ears
• Buff
• Warm gloves and light glove liner
• Casual clothing for inside the lodge. Keep this to a minimum. Towels and linens are provided by Purcell Lodge.
• Bathing suit for the sauna

Rental Information

Skis, Boots, Boards, Skins & Poles can be rented from:

• Canmore: Gear Up – 1302 Bow Valley Trail (403 678-1636)
• Lake Louise: Wilson Mountain Sports  – (1-866-929-3636)

*Please note that your ‘DIN’ or ‘Release Value’ settings on your ski bindings are critical to your safety while skiing.  Our expectation is that everyone arrives on programs with their ski binding’s release value correctly set. We have noted that some ski rental shops will not set release values on touring bindings. We advise you to rent from a shop that will set release values on your ski touring bindings unless you are proficient and comfortable setting your own DIN/release value. Failure to have Release Values correctly set could result in a serious injury.

Please call our office if you have any questions.

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require a 35% deposit (including taxes) at the time of booking. The final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the program.

It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident while here. Obtain extra coverage if necessary.

Please familiarize yourself with our detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Risk is an inherent part of all mountain activities. We strive to manage and reduce it however, it is impossible to totally eliminate. Learn more about our safety and risk management approach here.  Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.

The Simpson Group offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical, and Personal Effect Loss for both Canadian and International Travelers. Other providers offer similar services and we encourage you to select an appropriate level of coverage. We highly recommend purchasing this insurance to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. The two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider are Medical and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.

Insurance Risk 
One of the ways to mitigate risk is by purchasing appropriate insurance. Simpson Group Insurance Services who are travel & health risk specialists, work with technical and high-risk insurance solutions both in medical and non-medical spheres.  We highly recommend that you review your insurance needs to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Simpson Group have a team standing by to answer any of your questions.

Emergency Medical Evacuation
While there is typically no charge for search & rescue in the National and Provincial Parks for active pass holders, costs such as air & ground ambulance after the rescue are not covered by your park pass. The chance of a large bill associated with this risk is a real possibility.

For Canadians
A common myth is that healthcare across provinces is fully covered. There are many things which do not carry interprovincial agreements. Ambulance services, medical evacuation, and some services which one province charges more than another you’d be responsible to pay the difference.

For Internationals
A common myth is that healthcare in Canada is free. Although it is less expensive than US healthcare, charges for non-residents can still be very high. Proper medical health insurance is essential if you were to get injured. Most coverages exclude rock climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, backcountry skiing and the like. Simpson Group can make sure all those risks are well covered.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons, business, family, flight delays, injuries, and other unplanned events.  For these eventualities, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment. We can assure you that circumstances do arise that prevent guests from participating in trips or courses and trip cancellation & interruption insurance is a relatively easy way to manage your level of risk of unforeseen events.

For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend Simpson Group Insurance Services.  For more information and to purchase a plan, visit Simpson Group’s website.