Avalanche Skills Training
Advanced Avalanche Safety: a must this winter!
Colwest specializes in Avalanche Safety Training Courses for climbers, mountaineers, skiers and sledders. We offer flexible scheduling for private groups.
Custom courses available: Intro to Backcountry Travel
CAA Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 (AST 2)
To Register: email colwest@shaw.ca
The CAA AST 2 course is a 3 day, 2 evening course which focuses on improving the participants ability to travel safely in Avalanche Terrain. The course is at an advanced level. Participants need to have previously completed an AST 1 or RAC 1.
The course curriculum follows the Canadian Avalanche Centre guidelines.
Course content will include snowpack evaluation, snow profile interpretation and companion rescue techniques (shoveling, probing and transceiver use). Emphasis will be placed on terrain evaluation; route finding and the resulting decision making process. Introduction and application of the CAC’s Avaluator is also covered.
Prerequisites
- Successful completion of an AST 1 or RAC 1 course.
- Basic skiing, snow boarding or snowshoeing ability.
- Touring equipment or snow shoes required.
- Note: We will provide all the necessary snow safety equipment, no need for you to rent.
$395 AST 2 Course Fee Includes:
- 24 hrs of instruction from CAA Level 2 instructors
- 6:1 student - instructor ratio
- Course Manual
- Colwest Alpine Adventures Field Book
- Terrain Recognition, applying the principals of the Avaluator
- Small party self rescue
- Industry Recognized certificate of completion
- Use of the following safety equipment (shovel, probe, transceiver)
CAA AST 2 Courses Dates
Course 1: December 15th (classroom) / December 16th,, 17th, 18th, (field)
Course 2: February 23rd (classroom) / February 24th, 25th, 26th (field)
Course 3: March 1st (classroom) / March 2nd, 3rd, 4th (field)
Classroom sessions begin at 6:00pm at Thompson Rivers University (or location convenient for the student group). We also have a wrap up session at the conclusion of the final field day.
Field days will be held at locations as convenient as possible for student groups while balancing appropriate terrain with current snow and weather conditions.
Full details including personal equipment list included with your course confirmation.
To Register: email colwest@shaw.ca
* Have your own group, or looking for alternative course dates? Feel free to contact us.
Your Avalanche Skills Instuctors: Brad Harrison & Terry Palechuk
Together, Brad and Terry have over 30 years of guiding experience and work in the avalanche industry.
Brad Harrison
- CAA Professional Member
- Coordinator - Canadian Mountain and Ski Guide Program
- Chair – InfoEx Advisory Group
- Contact Brad at colwest@shaw.ca or call 250-819-9774
Terry Palechuk
- ACMG Ski Guide
- Instructor - Adventure Guide Program, TRU
- CAA Professional Member
- Contact Terry at threetoski@shaw.ca or call 250-573-4697
