Service Description

Selkirk Powder Descents AST 1 Course is designed for people with the fitness levels and skier abilities to legitimately go backcountry ski touring in avalanche terrain. To realistically ski tour in the backcountry, you need to be fit enough to climb at least 800m on skis or a board carrying a backpack, and at least be an intermediate skier or rider. Our AST 1 is designed for skiers and riders new to recreating in avalanche that have these abilities. Avalanche Skills Training 1 is designed to give you all of the tools that you need to begin the never ending learning process of recreating safely in Avalanche terrain. This course consists of a six hour online learning course to be completed prior to the course beginning so we can spend two full days in Glacier National Park also known as Rogers Pass. * WE REQUIRE ALL PARTICIPANTS TO AT LEAST BE INTERMEDIATE SKIERS/SNOWBOARDERS AND BE FIT ENOUGH TO TOUR 6KM AND CLIMB 800M VERTICAL FOR TWO STRAIGHT DAYS TAKING BREAKS ALONG THE WAY* Most operators only have one hands on field day in their AST 1 Courses. We feel that it simply inadequate to set you up for success recreating in avalanche terrain. Two field days in Rogers Pass allows for more time to learn and develop your skills to get you better prepared for a season of backcountry skiing. Avalanche theory, terrain evaluation and mitigation, understanding Avalanche Forecasts, snow instability tests, tree well extraction, safety equipment and multiple Companion Rescue scenarios are all covered in this course. This course has a maximum group size of six people to create a better learning environment and increased time for mentorship during the course. All courses are taught by ACMG certified guides. If you are new to backcountry skiing or simply want to dust the cobwebs off of your Avalanche knowledge and Safety Skills at the beginning of the winter then this is the course for you. Our preferred location for the course will be held in Glacier National Park in between Revelstoke and Golden, BC. However, we may switch venues based on changing weather forecasts, highway driving conditions and avalanche forecasts.