Avalanche Skills Training
Avalanche skills training is intended for outdoor enthusiasts who seek to improve their safety and security when engaging in winter activities in a mountain environment. There are two levels of avalanche skills training, the first one being a 2-day introductory course (AST1) and a second more advanced 4-day course (AST2) that has been developed by the Canadian Avalanche Association. A 5-day AAST course is also offered every year to students in the specialized Adventure and Ecotourism programs at St-Laurent CEGEP in Montreal. This course is given both in the classroom (40%) and outdoors in the field (60%) and it integrates notions of recognizing avalanche-prone terrain, recognizing conditions that are conducive to avalanches, preparing for mountain outings, safe and secure mountain touring and autonomous search and rescue practices in the event of an accident.
Introductory Avalanche skills training course (AST 1)
Goals
The Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 Course will provide an entry-level decision-making framework that is:
• Based on the most advanced knowledge available.
• Suitable for use by people with basic training and little experience.
In addition, the course will:
• Provide the prerequisite knowledge required for further avalanche training.
• Introduce and promote the Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 Course as the next logical step for gaining intermediate-level decision-making skills.
Objectives
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
• Understand the basics of avalanche formation and release.
• Identify avalanche terrain.
• Know the steps required to plan and carry out a trip.
• Use the Avaluator™ as a decision-making tool in areas where trips are rated using the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) and where Avalanche Danger Ratings and Avalanche Bulletins are available.
• Find resources for obtaining ATES terrain ratings if their trip is not rated.
• Find resources for obtaining Avalanche Danger Ratings and Avalanche Bulletins if these are not available.
• Use appropriate travel techniques in avalanche terrain.
• Carry out a companion rescue.
• Understand the limits of their training.
Dates Location
December 5-6th 2009 Montreal (English)
December 12-13th 2009 Montreal ( French)
December 19-20th 2010 Chic-Chocs ( French)
January 9-10th 2010 Montreal ( French)
January 16-17th 2010 Quebec City ( French)
February 5-6-7th 2010 Chic-Chocs(French)
March 1-2nd 2010 Chic-Chocs ( French)
March 5-6th 2010 Chic-Chocs ( English)
Advanced Avalanche skills training course (AST2)
Goals
The Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 Course will provide an intermediate level decision-making framework that is:
• Based on the most advanced knowledge available.
• Suitable for use by people with a moderate degree of training and experience.
In addition, the course will:
• Provide the prerequisite knowledge required for further avalanche training.
• Introduce and promote the Canadian Avalanche Association Industry Training Program as the accepted standard for advanced avalanche training.
Objectives
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
• Use the Avaluator™ as a filtering tool to determine when additional planning and travel techniques are required to travel safely.
• Be familiar with Avalanche Danger Ratings verification techniques for personal use on a local scale.
• Be familiar with the ATES technical model as a means to develop personal, local terrain ratings.
• Use route finding to take advantage of nuances in terrain to manage personal risk.
• Use travel techniques in avalanche terrain appropriate to the avalanche conditions.
• Proficiently carry out a companion rescue.
• Understand the limits of their training.
Dates Location
December 18-21th 2009 Chic-Chocs
February 18-21th 2010 Chic-Chocs