AST 1

Course Agenda

Day 1 – Classroom (Canmore Training Center or Calgary Lecture Room)
Start time: 9:30 am
(Calgary classroom location is listed in your confirmation email)

• Group introductions, course objectives, agenda review, backcountry risks, and waivers
• Overview of avalanche phenomena and their implications
• Avalanche formation, characteristics, and triggers
• Avalanche terrain recognition
• Introduction to the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES)
• Mountain snowpack and snow metamorphism

12:00 pm – Lunch Break

1:00 pm – Afternoon Session

• Assessing and reducing avalanche risk
• Using public avalanche bulletins and the Avalanche Danger Scale
• Decision-making and human factors in avalanche terrain
• Trip planning and travel considerations in avalanche terrain
• Companion rescue techniques and avalanche transceiver use
• Review logistics for the Field Day

4:30 – 5:00 pm – Class Ends

Day 2

We typically meet at Bow Summit, on Highway 93, 40 km north of Lake Louise (on rare occasions we may head to selected areas of Kananaskis Country or Banff National Park). Your instructor will provide meeting details on the classroom day.

Start time: 9:00 am

• Meet and issue avalanche training gear; introduce additional field instructors
• Review weather conditions and public avalanche bulletins
• Use of Avaluator™ for structured decision-making
• Field observations: wind, precipitation, temperature
• Avalanche transceiver and companion rescue practice
• Managing and reducing risk in avalanche terrain
• Route selection, track setting, and terrain recognition
• Snowpack assessment, stability tests, and identifying layers of concern
• Group rescue scenario: priorities and response

4:00 pm – Course Conclusion

• Debrief and discussion of next-level avalanche training (AST 2)
• AST 1 certificate presentation
• End of course

NOTE ON RISK: The course takes place in a backcountry winter environment. Conditions can be harsh and you need to be adequately dressed to enhance your comfort and learning. During the field day, we will be on the periphery of avalanche terrain however, we do limit our exposure to avalanches so that we can operate in the program area no matter what the avalanche danger is for that given day.  All our guides/instructors have advanced first aid certification and carry first aid kits as well as emergency communication. The course is designed to provide a good platform for learning and is not meant to be overly physically challenging or to put you at risk. Our focus is on instruction so we find appropriate avalanche study areas close to the road to maximize your avalanche education.

NOTE: Agenda may vary with field conditions and group abilities. A short tour of up to two kilometres is integral on the field day but if you’re not a skier, snowshoes are adequate. It is important that you be properly equipped for a full day in the backcountry in winter conditions (see gear tab).

Plus Day: Join us for an additional day of backcountry skiing every day following our avalanche course. Sign up for our ‘Plus Day’ add-on option where you’ll get the opportunity to put into practice all the AST 1 skills:  Guests will meet at the Yamnuska office at 7 am for all Plus Days.  Managing Avalanche terrain, route selection, terrain recognition and assessment, group management and safe travel practices, and snow study opportunities where appropriate.  (Must be on skis or splitboard. Minimum intermediate skier at a ski hill. Must be 18 years of age or older unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.).

Instructors and 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.   

On the field day, there is a maximum of 8 participants per instructor. The minimum group size is 8.

Our instructors are certified professional guides who are licensed to teach and guide in the backcountry. There will be a maximum of 8 participants per guide on the field day with a minimum of 8 participant for the course to run. On “Plus” days a minimum group size of 3 is required and there will be a maximum of 8 per guide.

Program Logistics

Canmore courses begin at 9:30 am on the first morning at the Yamnuska classroom in Canmore. Our classroom is located at #100, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore Alberta. See this map of the location. Please note that the field trip will be to Bow Summit, which is 120km west of Canmore.

Calgary courses begin at 9:30 am on the first morning. The classroom session is being held at the MEC store in Calgary, 830 10 Ave SW, Calgary.. Please note that the field trip for the Calgary course is most often at Bow Summit as well.

Transportation

Participants are responsible for their own transportation.

Park Passes

Please note that program venues may be within National Parks and/or Kananaskis Country. For programs where transportation is not provided by Yamnuska/Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska, guests will be required to purchase their own pass.

National Park passes are available both online at https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/admission and in-person at National park gates and some information centres.

Kananaskis Country conservation passes are available online at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx

Accommodation and Meals

These are not included in the course fees. There are many options available including hostels, motels, and hotels in Canmore. Check rates as prices can vary significantly during the winter.

Food is not supplied.  On the classroom day, we will take a one-hour break for lunch as well as several smaller breaks.

On the field day, it is important to have lots of snack-type high-energy foods as well as at least one litre of fluid. We highly recommend bringing a Thermos-type container for a hot drink.  Due to the nature of the environment and winter temperatures, we will often snack along the way and may not take an extended break for lunch.

Equipment and Clothing

Day one of the course is an indoor session in our classroom, dress casually and comfortably. Yamnuska supplies course manual, Companion Rescue Card, and Avaluator^TM.  Please bring a pen and notebook.

On the field day, Yamnuska will supply an avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe, and avalanche shovel. We also supply group snow study kits and snow saws.

Equipment List

• Skis: ‘Alpine Touring with touring bindings’. We recommend a short (160 – 185 cm) wide ski designed for powder and ski touring. Please see the note under rental information if you are renting ski equipment.

or

• Split board: with split board skins. Should be a proficient rider and practiced with transitions from touring to riding

or

• Snowshoes: Minimum 25-inch length is recommended

• Ski poles: recommended for all modes of travel
• Climbing skins ‘Stick-on type’ (only required if using skis or split boards)
• Boots: appropriate for your mode of snow travel.  Snowshoe boots need to be good warm winter boots, gaiters are recommended on lower cut snowshoe boots
• Day pack: large enough for spare clothes, lunch, shovel, and probe to fit inside the pack. 30-litre minimum size recommended
• Avalanche transceiver with fresh batteries: digital transceiver with triple antennae. If you have an older type, double antennae, we recommend you upgrade. We will supply if you don`t have your own.
• Avalanche shovel: Collapsible metal shovel designed for companion rescue. We will supply if you don`t have your own.
• Avalanche probe: We will supply if you don`t have your own.
• Sunglasses and/or ski goggles
• Thermos flask and/or water bottle (1 – 2 Liters). Hydration packs are not recommended as tubes freeze.
• Sunscreen
• Small Blister and Personal 1st-Aid Kit
• Hand Sanitizer

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures uses state-of-the-art avalanche companion rescue gear on all of our courses. We will supply transceivers, probes, and shovels at no cost if you do not have this equipment.

Optional Equipment

• Camera
• Chemical hand warmer and toe warmer packets

Yamnuska supplies but feel free to bring anyway:

• Snow saw
• Snow Study Kit

Clothing

On the field day, there can be prolonged periods of inactivity in very cold temperatures. Don’t be afraid to bring extra layers as we don’t travel great distances. We suggest bringing 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. Below is our recommended list:

• Base Layers (top and bottom). They should be synthetic such as Capilene or Merino Wool.
• Warm pants (softshell, hardshell,)
• 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.
• Water-resistant jacket, hardshell or softshell. A hardshell setup is essential when the weather turns wet.  Gore-Tex™, H2NO™, or similar material works great.
• Socks (wool or synthetic, not cotton). A good pair of socks goes a long way to preventing blisters, especially in rental boots.
• Wool or fleece hat that covers the ears
• Buff
• Warm gloves and light glove liner
• Ski helmet recommended for skiers and riders

• Alpha SV Jacket (Men’s & Women’s)
• Rush Jacket (Men’s & Women’s)
• Rush Bib Pant (Men’s & Women’s)
• Atom Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)
• Atom SL Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)
• Cerium Down Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)
• Nuclei Hoody (Men’s & Women’s)

Rental Information:

Skis, Boots, Boards, Skins, Snowshoes & 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 due to liability concerns, 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.

Feel free to call our office at 403-678-4164, if you have any questions about appropriate clothing or gear for the course, and one of our reservations or operations staff will be happy to help you.

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on booking. As a leading avalanche course provider, our courses do fill quickly. Many people book this course and reserve a spot at the same time for the AST 2 later in the season.

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. There is no charge for a rescue so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass which you can obtain on entry to Banff National Park.

Please make yourself familiar 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.