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AST 1

Avalanche Skills Training 1

Location:

Hudson Bay Mountain
Smithers, BC

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Up-and-Coming Dates: 

Feb 28/March 1, 2026 -  2 Spots 

March 3/4, 2026 -  6 Spots 

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Included with Course:​​

  • 1-year access to Online Course

  • Cold Smoke BC Guides Flat-brim Hat
    [aka. your new favorite touring hat]

  • Avalanche Skills Training Handbook

  • Avaluator 3.0

  • AvCan Companion Rescue Card

  • Course Certificate 

  • Hudson Bay Mountain Lift Ticket 

  • 10% off at Local Supply Co. 

 

Price: $325 + GST

 Online Course + Field Day


Online course:
Equivalent to 1 full day indoor classroom session
(6-8 hours)
 
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  • Self-paced and to be completed before your field day
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  • Can be completed anywhere, anytime
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  • Thoughtfully design and refined over several years of use by AST student 
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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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  • 1-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 
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We will cover:
  • Identifying avalanche terrain
  • Safe travel techniques 
  • Applying the avalanche bulletin​
  • Trip planning basics 
  • Introduce and practice companion rescue skills
  • ​Avalanche formation and basic snowpack skills 

Prerequisites:

  • Able to safely ski/ride off-piste terrain 

  • Fitness to hike uphill 400m on your gear

  • 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 full-day in the classroom with tons of great learning and information. Plan for it to take around 6-8 hours to complete depending on your previous familiarty with the content.
 

The evening before our field day, we will have a 1-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.

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Send us an email to sign up or request dates.

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