Avalanche Skills Training
AST 2
At Paramount Guides, we want you to experience one of our favourite seasons in the Canadian Rockies—winter! Whether you’re interested in learning the basics of backcountry skiing and ice climbing or embarking on epic multi-day adventures, our top priority is ensuring your safety as you embrace the winter landscape.
The greatest risk for outdoor enthusiasts during this season is avalanches. That’s why avalanche training and knowledge are essential, regardless of your winter activities.
Our courses are licensed by Avalanche Canada and are taught by an ACMG/IFMGA guide who holds the prestigious Level 3 Avalanche Operations Professional certification from the Canadian Avalanche Association. With decades of experience in various fields, including mechanized and non-mechanized skiing, high-altitude mountaineering, and consulting for mining operations, our instructor is well-equipped to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need for a safe and enjoyable winter experience.
Avalanche Canada Skills Training 2 (AST-2) course is designed around the daily processes used by professionals in the field. Building on the foundations established in your AST-1 course, it provides a more advanced decision-making framework for navigating avalanche terrain. This program focuses not only on expanding your knowledge but also on challenging you in real-world scenarios, encouraging you to reflect on your decision-making processes, biases, and heuristics. By doing so, you'll become a safer skier or snowboarder when faced with choices and possibilities in avalanche-prone areas, ensuring the safety of yourself and your group.
The program consists of one classroom day and three field days across various locations in Kananaskis, Banff, and Kootenay National Park.
Our programs consists of :
Classroom
A full day at a classroom in the Bow Valley, reviewing the different aspects and science behind risk management applied to avalanche terrain:
Morning Session: Human Behaviours, Decision Making, and Risk, Companion Rescue and Avalanche Theory
Afternoon Session: Getting the Forecast, Planning Your Trip, Gear Check , Verifying Conditions, Good Travel Habits, Evaluating the Slopes, Reflecting on your Day and the Next Days Trip Planning Practice.
The structure of our sessions is flexible, allowing us to cover the entire course curriculum while maximizing the quality of your learning experience, tailored to your individual knowledge and experience level.
Our instructor’s extensive expertise enables us to customize the training to meet the specific needs of each student while delivering the comprehensive curriculum established by Avalanche Canada.
Field Days
Enjoy three full days of skiing across diverse terrains and locations in the Canadian Rockies, where you'll encounter a wide range of weather, snowpack, and conditions.
Each day, we'll explore a different area, with the specific locations chosen based on current snow conditions and the interests of the group.
Day 1: Focus on the daily process and snowpack analysis
Day 2: Focus on terrain, route selection and risk management
Day 3: Focus on your processes, evaluation, performance and how to move forward.
Every field day will also focus on the daily process and your decision making process.
Ratio: 1 Instructor to a maximum of 6 students (minimum 4 required to run the course).
Cost: $695.00 per person + GST.
Cost includes: Guide/Instructor and teaching material.
Cost does not include: Transportation to the area, food, lodging and/or technical gear.
Instructional material: Provided once registered.
Pre-registration required: For more details please contact us at guides@paramount-guides.com
AST-2 Dates 2024/25:
Classroom Day in Canmore / Field Days in Kananaskis, Banff, Lake Louise, 93N, 93S, and Yoho.
Jan 03 (Fri) to Jan 06 (Mon).
Feb 14 (Fri) to Feb 17 (Mon).
Additional information
Please keep in mind that prior to heading out for our AST 2 Program all participants are required to read and agree to waiver terms and conditions prior to booking completion. In the case of the AST programs there are two waivers, one for the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, and another for Avalanche Canada, both of which can be found at paramount-guides.com/waivers
Our field day takes place in a backcountry winter environment. Conditions can be harsh, and you need to be dressed appropriately. Being warm and comfortable will enhance your learning experience.
Day one we will meet in Canmore to go through the logistics, waivers and gear before to head to the field. Next days we will meet at a convenient place for everybody, to be determine on our next day objective.
Our AST training follows Avalanche Canada guidelines and curriculum.
Equipment List
You will need either Skis, Split board or Snowshoes plus ski poles.
Day pack large enough to hold spare clothes, lunch, shovel and probe.
Avalanche transceiver with new batteries.
Collapsible Avalanche shovel.
Avalanche probe.
Sunglasses and/or ski goggles.
Personal 1st-Aid Kit for small blister (our guide carries a 1st-Aid Kit for emergencies, plus a communication device).
Extra Gloves
Warm Clothing
Logistical details
Transportation: You should be prepared to driver to the various meeting locations.
Food: Bring snacks and a lunch, plus 1 to 2 litres, ideally hot drinks. Classroom day is close to restaurants.
Clothing: For the field days you should come prepared for a full day in the outdoors.