TEEN AVALANCHE SKILLS TRAINING 1+ (AST 1+) - WHISTLER
Our Teen AST1+ guides tailor delivery to a younger audience, and understand the elevated duty of care owed to youths when exploring backcountry terrain . MSAA works closely with Avalanche Canada to develop, refine, and deliver the best and most current avalanche training available.
Book online or contact our office to ask any questions: 1-604-938-9242 or [email protected]
COURSE INFORMATION
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.
What sets AST1+ apart from the standard AST1 program is its emphasis on hands-on learning which is perfect for teens. Over two full days, students immerse themselves in the field, honing their skills under the expert direction of an MSAA guide. They explore more terrain, receive expert advice on travel and route selection, and develop muscle memory for fast, safe, and effective companion rescue.
Field Days:
Spend two days in the Whistler Blackcomb backcountry learning how to evaluate terrain, select travel routes, make decisions based on conditions, perform snow stability assessments, and rescue companions during an emergency. The “plus” day provides time to hone new skills and take full advantage of our guides’ wealth of knowledge and experience!Course includes:
Snowboarders: To facilitate smooth integration with skiers, we require that all snowboarders use a splitboard and not snowshoes. If you plan on only travelling in the backcountry using snowshoes, we recommend our Snowshoe AST-1 Course.
Lift Ticket *Day 1 & 2: If you do NOT currently possess a valid Whistler Blackcomb lift ticket (Seasons Pass, Spirit Pass, Edge Card, Epic Pass, etc.), you may buy a Lift Ticket through our office at checkout.
**All Courses are subject to a minimum number of participants. 48-hour notice will be given if the minimum number has not been reached.**Online Self-Paced Classroom: (3-4hrs)
Everyone will have access to our self-paced online learning platform.
Field Days: 8:30 am - 4:30 pmThe 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+.
Parking: Please note that the nearest parking for this course is located at the Whistler Day Lots
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!
Online Course:
Field Days: 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
Online Course:
- 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
Field Days:
- Trailhead Procedures
- Companion Rescue
- Avalanche Terrain Travel
- Snowpack and Avalanche Observations
- Snowpack Tests
- Avalanche Terrain Descent
Plus Day:
- Hazard Identification accuracy: rating, type, layer, location, trigger, mitigation
- In Field Terrain Selection & Track Setting Performance
- Safe, efficient, conservative approach, quality ski terrain identification, best; snow, aspects, elevation, incline, terrain type (anchors, trees or open, supported/unsupported) to ski/ride
- Snowpack Problems & Hazard Identification/Investigation/Mitigation Performance
- Downhill ski/riding Performance
- Human factors
The important details:
Season: March
Duration: 2 Days (8:30am – 4:30pm)
Location: Whistler
Max Ratio: 8 Clients to 1 Guide
Prerequisites: Average Fitness & Intermediate Skier
BOOK COURSE:
Price: Weekend: $339 Midweek: $299 | $1499/private (up to 8ppl)
Request Alternative Dates:
Have a date in mind that is not available to book? Request an alternative date and if we have more than 3 participants interested we will open the date.
NEXT STEPS
Guided Backcountry Clinic
A “fast-track” clinic specifically designed to take one’s introductory skills to the next level!
Avalanche Skills Training 2
Our Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 course teaches managing and mitigating avalanche and mountain hazards.
