AST 1
Avalanche Skills Training 1
Location:
Hudson Bay Mountain
Smithers, BC
Up-and-Coming Dates:
December 11-12, 2026
December 27-28, 2026
January 1-2, 2027
January 19-20, 2027
February 26-27, 2027
First course day: Google Meet call from 6-8 pm
Second course day: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm in the field
Included with Course:
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Access to online theory course
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Avalanche Skills Training Handbook
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Avaluator 3.0
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AvCan Companion Rescue Card
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Course Certificate
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Cold Smoke Flat-brim Hat, (AKA you new favorite touring hat), while supply lasts
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Hudson Bay Mountain Lift Ticket
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Local Supply Co. 10% discount on all ski and backcountry gear
Price: $349 + GST
Online Course + Field Day
Online course:
AST 1 theory course to complete before your
field day:
(4-6 hours)
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Self-paced and available 2 weeks before your field day
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Can be completed anywhere, anytime
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Thoughtful design and refined over several years of use, by AST students
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Interactive with options to listen or read content
Field Day:
A full day out in the mountains honing in skills
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2-hr pre-course Google Meet the evening before field day
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Make a trip plan and review the avalanche bulletin
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Uphill travel to our field site using touring gear or snowshoes
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Practice terrain identification skills
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Learn the basics of companion rescue and do rescue scenarios
We will cover:
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Identifying avalanche terrain
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Safe travel techniques
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Applying the avalanche bulletin
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Trip planning basics
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Introduce and practice companion rescue skills
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Avalanche formation and basic snowpack skills
Prerequisites:
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Able to safely ski/ride off-piste terrain
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Fitness to hike uphill 400m on your gear
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Sign a waiver
Our AST 1 course is all about giving you the skills and confidence to get out into the backcountry safely. It consists of an online course component and a field day out in the mountains. You’ll start with an online course which you can work through on your own schedule—perfect for getting the basics dialed before we meet in the mountains. This online course replaces a day in the classroom with tons of great learning and information. Plan for it to take around 4-6 hours to complete depending on your previous familiarity with the content.
The evening before our field day, we will have a 2-hour Google Meet to plan for the following day and review material from the online course. Then we head out for a full-day in the field where we put everything into practice: identifying avalanche terrain, using the avalanche bulletin, trip planning, and dialing in companion rescue skills together.
Whether you’re brand new to ski touring or looking to feel more solid in your decision-making, AST 1 is a supportive, hands-on way to build the foundation you need to enjoy winter in the mountains with more confidence.
Send us an email to sign up or request dates. Custom dates are available for groups of 4 or more.