TEEN AVALANCHE SKILLS TRAINING 1 (AST 1) - WHISTLER

Our teen AST1 is a unique opportunity for younger skiers and snowboarders to learn basic backcountry travel knowledge and skills in a group of their peers. If your teen is eager to explore beyond the resort or join you for an amazing family adventure, the Teen AST1 is the perfect starting point. Our guides understand that adolescents learn differently than adults. They know how to capture their interest, keep material fun and engaging, and how to safely oversee a field day in the Whistler or Blackcomb backcountry.

Students will emerge with an AST1 certificate and all the practical skills to start exploring new terrain. After an online precourse, day one is spent in the classroom discussing terrain, snowpack formation, weather, decision-making, common biases, equipment and trip planning.

Day two starts with a brief pre-trip discussion, led by students with guidance from their instructor, and a last-minute gear check. The rest of the day is spent in the field, learning how to assess terrain with a critical eye, evaluate the snowpack based on observations and tests, select safe and effective routes, and perform efficient companion rescue skills.

Course includes:

Day 1: Classroom portion - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Everyone will sign waivers, and the guide will review the AST Pre-Course before moving on to theory using decision-making exercises and discussion. The day will include a short morning and afternoon break, as well as a lunch break, and will end with a debrief along with homework, some handouts, and a resource list.

Parking: Please note that the nearest parking for this course is located at the Whistler Day Lots

The guide will lead a short briefing to discuss current conditions and weather, and then everyone will perform a gear check. From there, you will head up the mountain to practice the skills you learned on Day 1. The day will end at approximately 4:30 pm with a quick debrief and a discussion of the next steps you can take after your AST1.

MSAA Loyalty Program: Following the AST-1 course, all students will be added to the MSAA loyalty program, giving them eligibility to receive a 10% discount on any future course with MSAA. Once students complete the AST-1 course, we recommend that they take the AST-2 course within the next 1-2 seasons. For more information contact our office.

Rentals/Purchase:

If you require rentals, we have teamed up with local rental companies to provide discounted rates. Visit our rental page HERE for more information!

Day 1: (Classroom Day)

Day 2: (Field Day) Dress appropriately for the conditions.

Clothing:

• Weatherproof shell jacket and pants
• Down or synthetic insulated jacket
• Mid-layer fleece top
• Insulating top and bottom under layers and socks
• Warm hat/toque and balaclava
• Two pairs of gloves
• Sunglasses and sunscreen

Equipment:

• Lift Pass
• Backpack-25-35 Litres
• Alpine touring skis/splitboard, skins, bindings, and boots
• Avalanche Safety Kit (transceiver, shovel, probe)
• Helmet
• Poles
• First Aid Kit with blister kit
• Rite in the Rain notebook and pencil (optional)
• Map, compass, GPS (optional)
• Lunch, snacks, and water

Day 1 (Classroom):

• Snowpack: Crystals & Layers
• Terrain
• Environmental Factors in Avalanche Formation Terrain
• Avalanche Hazard Mitigation
• Avalanche Danger Resources
• Human Factors
• Equipment and Companion Rescue Technique Familiarization
• Pre-Trip Planning & Avalanche Bulletin/Avaluator
• Decision Making Competence

Day 2 (Outdoor):

• Trailhead Procedures
• Companion Rescue
• Avalanche Terrain Travel
• Snowpack and Avalanche Observations
• Snowpack Tests
• Avalanche Terrain Descent

Click HERE for the full curriculum