$315.00 / person
(at 8:1 ratio) Next Trip: Feb 15 - 16, 2025-
6 spots available. $315.00
IN-PERSON Theory Day. Day 1 (theory day) will be held in-person (Comox Valley based classroom) for this course date. Day 2 (field day) will be held in person on Mount Washington.
Upcoming Trips
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Add-ons
Avalanche kit rental includes transceiver, shovel and probe. If you are bringing your own avi kit, this must include a modern, digital, 3-antenna transceiver, and a solid shovel and probe. If you do not have all three of these things then you must rent a kit from us to take part. Avi Kits once rented are non-refundable.
This specially priced lift ticket is mandatory if you do not own a season pass. If you are not purchasing this add-on, you must email us at [email protected] to confirm that you have a season pass, otherwise we will add a lift ticket to your booking. Lift Tickets once purchased are non-refundable.
Save on postage and have this indispensable trip planning guide delivered to you at your course. With well over 500 Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale rated Island tours, this guidebook allows you to apply the learning from your IAG/HVI course to doing real trips in the mountains.
An Avalanche Skills Training 1 (AST1) course offered specifically for parents with their youth who share backcountry adventures together, want to speak the same language, and are serious about safety.
Learning the core skills of avalanche awareness alongside your youth offers the opportunity to develop and share risk assessment conversations together and continues the foundation for future learning opportunities together.
All youth under the age of 19 on this course must be accompanied by their legal guardian. All participants on course must meet the course prerequisites to participate (please read through our "AST1 requirements" page or be in touch with any questions).
- Understand the basics of avalanche formation and release
- Recognize avalanche terrain
- Develop a pre-trip plan
- Use the Avaluator decision-making system
- Interpret avalanche bulletins
- Safe travel in avalanche terrain (uphill and down)
- Complete slope scale assessments
- Enact a companion rescue
- 2 days of instruction with a certified instructor
- Certificate of completion
- Avalanche Skills Training Handbook
- Avaluator Trip Planner/Slope Assessment Tool
- Avalanche Canada student fee
- Transportation
- Food
- Clothing
- Personal equipment
- Avi Kit (transceiver, shovel, probe – available as an add-on)
- Lift ticket (available as an add on)
Locations
If you would prefer to complete your AST1 at Mount Cain, please see AST1 Cain for booking details.
Itinerary
We may complete some companion rescue practice on the theory day, in which case avi kits will be required.
Requirements
Youth and Parents are welcome to participate on touring gear, snowshoes, or a combo of snowshoes for going up and skis or a board to come down. However, to comfortably participate we ask that you:
- Have moderate fitness (able to hike for 2-3 hours/day).
- Are prepared to spend the day outside in variable conditions (please read through the 'gear list' tab on this webpage.)
- Have access to a vehicle with winter tires and chains.
- Have a basic understanding of your gear, and any limitations (consider practicing with your transceiver beforehand and your transitions with your touring set up in and out of walk and ride mode).
- If choosing to ride downhill on skis or snowboard, we request that you are a strong intermediate skier or boarder (able to ride blue square-equivalent runs comfortably and safely in natural, ungroomed conditions).
- If you do not have touring gear and will be using skis / a snowboard for the course - you must carry snowshoes in a backpack for use on the uphill portions of the course and be prepared to carry your skis/snowboard uphill.
Gear List
These items are available as an Add On “avi kit” when you book, or by request for $30
- Avalanche Transceiver (must be a modern, digital three-antenna)*
- Shovel: Collapsible aluminum shovel*
- Probe: Normal length probe somewhere from 220cm to 320cm*
- Ski touring skis/splitboard (boarders may also snowshoe uphill carrying their snowboard on their pack for the descents).
- Ski Poles with big baskets
- Skins
- Ski touring/snowboard boots
- Day pack (30 - 40L, or whatever will fit your gear)
- Waterproof/breathable jacket and pants
- Midweight, breathable jacket and pants -- for uphill skinning/climbing
- Insulated jacket -- synthetic or down
- Lightweight gloves for climbing/skinning
- Warm gloves
- Warm hat
- Balaclava or another type of neck warmer
- Baselayers (top and bottom)
- Water
- Lunch and snacks (prepared ahead of time and consumable on the go)
- Sunglasses
- Goggles
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Ski strap
- Personal first aid (e.g. blister kit, medication)
- Camera
- Notebook and pencil (Rite in the Rain recommended)
Rentals
Avalanche Kit: We offer rental transceivers, shovels and probes as an add-on kit when you book or by request pre-trip. If you do not have your own modern, digital, three antenna transceiver, collapsible shovel, and/or probe - please request a rental kit prior to your course/trip.
Winter 4x4 Vehicle(s): 'Far Out Wilderness' (https://faroutwilderness.com/ski-tours-winter-4x4/) is a 4x4 vehicle rental service in Victoria that offers clients access to a fleet of rugged, reliable, and fully-equipped vehicles designed to conquer the most challenging winter terrain. Their vehicles come with snow tires with the 3 peak mountain symbol, chains, and ski racks. They also provide emergency equipment, including SOS, SPOT messenger systems, GPS, tire pump, toe rope, tire pressure gauge, a map to BC's backcountry roads, and a first aid kit. Everything you need to get safely to the ski slopes! Upon request, IAG clients can receive a 5% discount code towards their rentals from 'Far Out Wilderness'.