Avalanche Skills Training – Level 1

Endorsed by Avalanche Canada

Hey folks, the winter season will be upon us before we know it. Need a safer ride? Want to #KnowBeforeYouGo? Take one of our AST 1 courses.

*New for 2021*

Planning to venture out for some backcountry skiing missions this winter? Consider signing up for our mountain navigation course. Knowing how to properly navigate in the mountains is a core skill for both your summer and winter adventures. The focus of this course is map and compass use, trip planning as well as digital tools such as phone apps and Google Earth. Planning to venture out for some backcountry skiing missions this winter? Consider signing up for our mountain navigation course. Knowing how to properly navigate in the mountains is a core skill for both your summer and winter adventures. The focus of this course is map and compass use, trip planning as well as digital tools such as phone apps and Google Earth. This course will be a 2 classroom session / 2 full field day program, Mountain Navigation Course Outline. This course is strongly recommended for anybody taking either an AST 2 or AST 2+ course.

Course Fee – $195.00 (note, students who complete a Colwest AST 2 or AST 2+ course by the end of 2022 will receive a $95.00 refund)

Navigation Virtual Classroom (7:00-9:00pm) Field Days (full days) Status Location
Course 1 Oct 13 & 14Oct 16 or 17 open Kamloops Region
Course 2 Oct 20 & 21 Oct 23 or 24 5 spots Kamloops Region

Please note, all courses will be delivered with Covid-19 protocols in mind. Please review our Covid-19 “Best Practices” procedures here.

Please note, all courses will be delivered with Covid-19 protocols in mind. Please review our Covid-19 “Best Practices” procedures here.

Classroom sessions will be provided virtually, in the comfort and safety of your home or office.

Avalanche Skills Training

Learn skills that will help you play safer this winter!

Colwest Alpine Adventures specialize in Avalanche Safety Training Courses for climbers, mountaineers, skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers. We offer flexible scheduling for private groups. Let us know if you have a group of 6 or more and we will set up dates that are convenient for you.

Other custom courses available: Intro to Backcountry Travel (learn the basics of backcountry travel, getting the right equipment, choosing appropriate destinations, how to have more fun and feel safe!)

Avalanche Canada – Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (AST 1)

Avalanche Canada’s “Avalanche Skills Training” (AST 1) course is a comprehensive program consisting of 6 hours of class time spread over 2 virtual classroom sessions & 2 field days (8 hours each) for a total of 20 hours of direct instruction.

The course focuses on understanding, recognizing & avoiding avalanche hazards. We focus on terrain recognition, basic snow pack structure, weather, group management, safe route finding & avalanche rescue techniques.

Prerequisites
  • Basic skiing, snow boarding or snowshoeing ability.
  • Touring equipment or snow shoes required.
  • No previous avalanche experience is required for the AST 1 course.
  • Note: We will provide all the necessary snow safety equipment, no need for you to rent.
$275 AST 1 Course Fee Includes:
  • 20 hrs of Direct Instruction
  • 6:1 student—instructor ratio (maximum)
  • All Manuals as required by Avalanche Canada, including the Avaluator
  • Industry Recognized certificate of completion
  • Use of the following safety equipment (shovel, probe, transceiver)

AST 1 Courses Dates – BC Interior – Please note, all dates are 2021 – 2022.

Virtual Classroom (7:00-9:00pm)Field Days (full day)  StatusLocation
Course 1 Dec 1 & 2 Dec 4 & 510 spotsKamloops Region   
Course 2 Dec 8 & 9 Dec 11 & 12 10 spots Kamloops Region
Course 3 Dec 15 & 16 Dec 18 & 19 openKamloops Region
Course 4 Dec 22 & 23 Dec 27 & 28 openKamloops Region
Course 5 Dec 29 & 30 Jan 3 & 4 openKamloops Region
Course 6 Jan 5 & 6 Jan 8 & 9 11 spotsKamloops Region
Course 7 Jan 12 & 13 Jan 15 & 16 openKamloops Region
Course 8 Jan 19 & 20 Jan 22 & 23 fullHope Region
Course 9 Feb 16 & 17 Feb 19 & 20 openKamloops Region
Course 10 Mar 8 & 10 Mar 12 & 13 openKamloops Region
Course 11 Mar 23 & 24 Mar 26 & 27 open Kamloops Region
Have your own group, need CUSTOMIZED course dates? Feel free to contact us

Interested? Contact Brad Harrison at colwest@shaw.ca.

Your Instructors:

Brad Harrison & Terry Palechuk

Together, Brad and Terry have over 50 years of guiding experience and work in the avalanche industry.

Brad Harrison

  • CAA Professional Member
  • Executive Director, Backcountry Lodges of BC Association
  • Chair, InfoEx Advisory Committee
  • Contact Brad at colwest@shaw.ca or call 250-819-9774

Terry Palechuk

  • ACMG Ski Guide
  • Instructor, Adventure Guide Program, TRU
  • CAA Professional Member / Chair, Avalanche Canada’s Education Committee
  • Contact Terry at tpalechuk@tru.ca or call 250-573-4697
  • Brad, thanks for the links and putting on the course. My son and I really enjoyed it and took away a lot.    
    Derek
  • Thanks again for the course. Your instruction and delivery of the course exceeded my expectations in every way.
    Martin (2021)
  • Thanks for the awesome course, it was fantastic and well-run. The value for money was honestly amazing”
    Mary (2020)
  • Hi Brad,

    Thanks again for the great course; you are a very inspirational instructor! 
    Chris
  • Kent Thiessen, of Orange Boardshop fame, catching a few tips on snowpack analysis
  • The course was excellent and I can see why you came so highly recommended. See you next year for an AST 2.”
    Mark (2020)
  • Thanks Brad, great course, really enjoyed Sat & Sun. Fantastic learning.”
    Neill (2020)
  • “Thanks again Brad. Great course, we appreciated your passion for the hills”
    Murray (2020)

AST Registration

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I wanted to thank you again for a great course! The information is very serious but it was delivered in a fantastic way that allowed us to have fun but still take in the proper knowledge! Very professional! Stay DEEP! Thx!

Oronge Boardshop
Kent Thiessen

Thanks so much for everything Brad, you truly set an amazing tone that let everyone feel comfortable and at ease. I learned so much!!

Melissa

Hi Brad

Cannot thank you enough for the excellent course. I refreshed lots from past learnings and experiences and more importantly learned a tremendous amount. You, Terry, and Linus were all great instructors, fun to both learn from and travel with, and extremely knowledgeable. Great to learn and laugh along he way. Feeling much better about my re-entry into the back country skiing world. Have a great winter.

Dave

You have really put on an amazing course and I am really happy with the knowledge that I’ve learned. I really believe you are the best or one of the very best in our province at what you do. Your course was enjoyable and also really challenged me – I had a friend that took a similar course stateside and I must’ve learned about three times as much in yours.

Peter

Hi Brad,

Thank you for delivering such an amazing AST course! I have learned so much and feel very elevated and empowered by the whole experience. Both you and Terry are incredible instructors! It was an honor and true pleasure meeting you and learning from you both.

Jana

Thanks Brad. You guys run a professional course that highlight the practical aspects of being out in avalanche terrain. I would recommend your course to anyone looking to get into the back-country experience. Hopefully I will be able to take another of your courses in the future.

Jason

Thank you Brad. A really good course, time well spent and I will continue to send staff, as well as recommend to others.

Norm

Hey Brad thanks for coming out! I heard nothing but great feedback on your knowledge and enthusiasm.

Angelina

And thank you Brad and Terry both for a great course. LOTS of information to absorb, but it was a content-rich course, well presented, and in a great learning environment.

I hope to see you both again sometime in the not too distant future.

Jim Flom