Avalanche skills training (AST)
Learn from the Sea to Sky's leading avalanche skills educator.
Trust your safety to the Sea to Sky’s most highly skilled instructors. We pride ourselves on delivering the latest AST curriculum, ensuring every student leaves with current, practical knowledge. By continually updating our own expertise, we guarantee that the guidance you receive is top-tier and relevant to today’s backcountry conditions.
Our course progression is designed to support you at every stage. Beginners can start with Intro to Backcountry for gear and touring fundamentals, followed by AST 1 to learn hazard recognition. For experienced riders, we offer a one-day Refresher to maintain rescue readiness, and the comprehensive AST 2 for those ready to tackle complex decision-making in serious terrain.
Avalanche education is a core part of our Mountain School course pathway, alongside backcountry travel, mountaineering, rescue and wilderness safety.
Choose Your AST Course Location
Choose where you want to train and check current Avalanche Skills Training availability.
Explore Avalanche Skills Training Courses
AST 1 Classic
AST 1 is the first step in Avalanche Canada’s Avalanche Skills Program. It will build fundamental skills for safe travel through the mountains.
AST 1 Online
Enjoy a flexible hybrid format with online learning followed by one day in the field. Build practical avalanche awareness, rescue and backcountry travel skills with MSAA.
AST 1 Online Snowshoe - North Vancouver
Complete Avalanche Skills Training 1 online, followed by one day in the field using snowshoes in North Vancouver.
AST 1 Plus Whistler
AST 1 Plus adds an online learning module with two days spent in the field practicing and refining critical skills.
AST 2 Whistler
The second step in Avalanche Canada’s Avalanche Skills Program, AST2 provides the knowledge and skills to progress beyond beginner backcountry travel.
Avalanche Skills Refresher
Is your backcountry skillset getting rusty? Join an AST1 field day to refresh your fundamental knowledge and skills.
Hut Based AST 2
Level up your existing skill set while staying at one of BC’s amazing alpine huts! AST2 will give you the advances skills to safely open up more exciting terrain.
UNSURE WHICH COURSE TO TAKE?
Not sure which course or tour is right for you? Let our expert guides point you in the right direction.
