Snow avalanches are one of the most significant hazards for winter climbers, backcountry skiers, and snowboarders. Understanding avalanche risk, recognizing avalanche terrain, interpreting weather factors, and knowing how to carry out a companion rescue are essential skills for anyone traveling in the mountains during winter. Many avalanche incidents—including high-profile accidents just outside ski resort boundaries—have shown that some victims didn’t realize they were exposed to avalanche terrain. This is why avalanche awareness and decision-making are cornerstones of recreational avalanche training courses.
Avalanche Skills Training (AST) courses combine classroom learning with hands-on field experience to give participants practical knowledge and confidence in avalanche terrain. The program begins with an intensive classroom day, where students learn both theoretical and practical elements of avalanche awareness through presentations, discussions, and interactive exercises.
The second part of the course takes place in the field, where theory is put into action. Students practice essential travel techniques, terrain recognition, and companion rescue skills. Rescue training covers the full process: using an avalanche transceiver to pinpoint a buried victim, probing to confirm their location, and applying efficient digging strategies to complete the recovery. While the goal of an avalanche course is to help participants recognize and avoid hazardous situations, companion rescue skills are critical—they significantly improve survival chances if an avalanche accident occurs.
Another key component of Avalanche Skills Training is learning how to interpret the wide range of public tools and resources available to backcountry users. This includes avalanche bulletins, weather reports, historical weather station data (wind, temperature, precipitation), and local observations. By combining this information with your own field observations, you can build a clearer picture of avalanche conditions. Decision-making tools such as the Avaluator™ provide structured guidance, turning what can feel like an overwhelming flood of information into a usable framework. Experienced avalanche instructors break down these complex topics into manageable, easy-to-understand lessons that participants can apply immediately in real mountain environments.
In Canada, recreational avalanche training is offered at two levels.
The Avalanche Skills Training 1 (AST 1) course is the entry point. This two-day program includes one day in the classroom and one day in the field. Participants who complete the course earn Yamnuska’s AST 1 certificate, which is recognized across Canada.
The next step is the Avalanche Skills Training 2 (AST 2) course. This four-day program includes a more detailed classroom session and three full days in the field, providing a deeper understanding of avalanche terrain, snowpack assessment, and advanced decision-making skills.
For anyone interested in moving into professional avalanche training, AST 1 and AST 2 are important prerequisites. Professional avalanche courses are required for many careers, including ski patrol, avalanche forecasting, mountain guiding, and ski guiding. They are also often mandatory for first responders, utility companies, and corporations with staff or infrastructure operating in mountain environments.
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is one of Canada’s largest providers of recreational avalanche training. We are a recognized industry leader in promoting best practices inside and outside of our own organization and are committed to developing and promoting avalanche awareness and curriculum in Canada and reducing the number of injuries and fatalities in Canada due to avalanches.
We offer the following programs:
Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 in Canmore and Calgary
Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 Refresher (AST 1 Refresher)
Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 for Ice Climbers (AST 1 for Ice Climbers)
Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 in the Canadian Rockies, Rogers Pass and Purcell Lodge (AST 2)
We provide the transceiver, probe, and shovel for participants if required. We use BCA triple antennae transceivers, metal shovels and collapsible BCA probes for field training.
Thanks to our sponsors at K2 Skis and BCA who have generously donated gear and prizes, participants who take part in an Avalanche Safety Training course or Backcountry Ski public program before February 28, 2023, have the chance to win some incredible gear. So don’t wait…register now!
Field days are conducted at locations within Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Kootenay National Park, Glacier National Park, and Kananaskis.
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.
With over 45 years of experience, we are confident we have the skills and experience to deliver the best possible avalanche training for you or your group.
Special: Sign up for our AST 1 and AST 2 recreational avalanche courses at the same time and save 10% off the cost of both courses. The discount for the AST 2 does not apply to lodge based AST 2 programs.
The AST 1 avalanche course is a great introductory program. If you are a regular backcountry enthusiast we recommend you sign up for the AST 1 course, get outside to build your experience level, then take the AST 2. Many people take both courses in the same season.
Overall impression: Yamnuska are true professionals!
Grant is an exemplary teacher and coach. He has an excellent way of “de-constructing” the material. And is most helpful when we’re in the field, pointing out and reinforcing classroom material.
Snowmobilers:
For the best snowmobile avalanche training courses check out our friends at Zacs Tracs. The characteristics of avalanche risk are very different when travelling on a snowmobile and we recommend you have specific snowmobile avalanche training by professionals who conducted their professional training in that discipline.