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Highlights
Complete your AST 2 certification in the mountains of Canada
Take an in-depth course on the basics of avalanche safety beginning in a classroom setting in Calgary or Canmore.
Learn how to keep yourself and your partners in adventure safe in areas with avalanche risk.
Put your skills to the test with backcountry expeditions by ski/splitboard or by snowshoe.
Level-up your adventure in the remote Rogers Pass for skiers
Every backcountry adventurer needs a foundational knowledge of avalanche safety, and the Avalanche Skills Training 2 in the Canadian Rockies tour is designed to show you how to evaluate and respond to changing snow conditions in the backcountry.
After completing your AST 1, take this tour to receive your AST 2 certification, teaching you more in-depth backcountry preparation, routefinding, snowpack evaluation, and rescue techniques to keep you safe. This isn’t just about the classroom, though- you’ll take your skills to the mountains, practicing what you’ve learned in the wild Canadian Rockies. Whether you’re a skier or snowshoer, you’ll love being fully immersed in the remote mountains.
Every backcountry adventurer needs a foundational knowledge of avalanche safety, and the Avalanche Skills Training 2 in the Canadian Rockies tour is designed to show you how to evaluate and respond to changing snow conditions in the backcountry.
After completing your AST 1, take this tour to receive your AST 2 certification, teaching you more in-depth backcountry preparation, routefinding, snowpack evaluation, and rescue techniques to keep you safe. This isn’t just about the classroom, though- you’ll take your skills to the mountains, practicing what you’ve learned in the wild Canadian Rockies. Whether you’re a skier or snowshoer, you’ll love being fully immersed in the remote mountains.
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Avalanche Skills Training 2 in the Canadian Rockies Itinerary
Day 1 Lecture Day in Canmore
Your AST 2 course begins at the office in Canmore. You’ll spend the morning reviewing the AST 1 curriculum, then focus the afternoon on building your knowledge of safe trip planning, companion rescue, gear checks, and transceiver use.
Wrap up with a review of the plan for the upcoming field days.
Overnight Location: Not included in tour price
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2-4 Backcountry Field Days
The next three days will be spent in the backcountry, planning your trip each morning, backcountry skiing, splitboarding, or snowshoeing, and putting your avalanche skills to the real-world test. You’ll work on decision making in avalanche terrain, companion and group rescue, snow profiles and stability tests, and more.
You’ll skin up everything you ski down, experiencing the beauty of the Rockies while building even more backcountry confidence.
Overnight Location: Not included in tour price
Distance: None
Meals: None
Avalanche Skills Training 2 in the Canadian Rockies Price and Dates
This guided skills training course is run as a fixed-departure tour where you’d be joining a group.Important notes:
- Some courses are spread on two weekends and are listed as taking place over 9 days.
Prices below are per person:
Start
Finish
Duration
Spaces Left
Price
Accommodation on the Avalanche Skills Training 2 in the Canadian Rockies
There are no included accommodations on this tour. You will be responsible for choosing and booking your own accommodations, although we are happy to lend a hand.
Night 1-4
Accommodation in Canmore
Accommodation on this tour is not included. A variety of accommodation options exist in both Canmore, Calgary and Banff, including campsites, hostels, all levels of hotels as well as condo-style accommodation with kitchens or suites. We recommend that you book your own pre and post-trip accommodations well in advance as all levels of accommodations in the Bow Valley fill quickly.
What’s Included in the Avalanche Skills Training 2 in the Canadian Rockies Tour?
Logistics, Meals and Accommodation
This training course doesn’t include any meals, transportation, or accommodation. If you need any help with booking your own accommodation, we are happy to assist you if needed. Travellers taking this course can enjoy a discounted rate at Clique Hotels & resorts. We recommend staying in Canmore for those taking the course. For meals, please pack your own high-energy meals and snacks for field days.
Included
- Instruction classroom material
- Avalanche safety equipment use (probes, shovels, snow crystal cards)
- Certified and skilled instructors
Not included
- Flights
- Hotels
- Meals, drinks, or snacks
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions
- Visas if required
- Anything not mentioned as included
- GST (5%)
Optional Extras
- Optional Backcountry ski or splitboard day
- How hard is the Avalanche Skills Training 2 in the Canadian Rockies tour?
- Is there any age limit for this course?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?
- What topics are covered during the training?
- Proper backcountry travel preparation in avalanche terrain
- Use of avalanche ‘danger scale’ and other information gathered by professionals
- Use of the Avalauator 2 TM
- Group management and safety in the backcountry
- Avalanche terrain recognition
- Route finding in avalanche terrain
- Decision making in avalanche terrain
- Snow profiles and stability tests such as the Compression Test and Rutsch Block
- Weather, snowpack, and avalanche activity observations
- Snow stability analysis
- Companion Rescue and group rescue skills including avalanche transceiver use, single burials, and multiple burials, shovelling and probing techniques
- Are meals included on the Avalanche Skills Training 2 in the Canadian Rockies tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Canmore to start this tour?
- Will I get a certificate?
- Is the Avalanche Skills Training 2 in the Canadian Rockies tour guided?
- What should I bring?
- Winter boots or insulated hiking boots (for snowshoe departure only)
- Powder skis or splitboard
- Ski poles (even if on snowshoes)
- Climbing skins (only required if using skis or split boards)
- Daypack (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & equipment, 30L minimum recommended)
- Avalanche transceiver – digital transceiver with triple antennae (can be borrowed)
- Avalanche shovel (collapsible metal shovel designed for companion rescue, loaners available on request)
- Avalanche probe (loaners available on request)
- Avaluator
- Sunglasses and/or ski goggles
- Thermos flask and/or water bottle (1 – 2 liters)
- Sunscreen
- Pocket knife
- Helmet (recommended)
- Hand sanitizer
- Where does the Avalanche Skills Training 2 in the Canadian Rockies tour end?
- Who can book the alternate locations?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Canada?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Canada?
- When is the best time to travel to Canada for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 4/5. You’ll spend three days out in winter conditions in the mountains. You’ll need to be able to ski, splitboard, or snowshoe up to 10km per day in backcountry conditions. You should be a strong skier or snowboarder comfortable in all conditions for this tour. You also need to have your AST 1 certification to take this course.
Yes. For the course in Rogers Pass you need to be at least 19 years old and for the Canadian Rockies program you need to be at least 18 years old.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Subject matter covered:
No meals are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Please verify that your insurance covers the included activities on this tour. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into the Calgary International Airport (YYC). We recommend renting a car if possible as you’ll need to find your way to Canmore and provide transportation during the course.
Yes! You will receive Avalanche Skills Training 2 Certificate.
Yes, you will be learning from and supervised by an experienced guide.
The tour ends in Canmore. You will need to find your way back to the airport.
Snowshoers can opt to take their course in Rogers Pass, in a more advanced terrain. The course is otherwise held closer to the Banff area.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to visit the Canadian Rockies for this tour is the wintertime between December and March when there’s enough snow to accurately learn about avalanches.
Customer Ratings
Located in Canmore, Alberta at the gates of Banff National Park, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is one of Canada’s premier providers of mountaineering, rock & ice climbing, backcountry skiing, hiking, and trekking experiences in the Canadian Rockies. For over 40 years, we have hosted thousands of clients from Canada and all over the world. Our brand is known for quality mountain experiences, safety, and well-organized itineraries. We have some of the best mountain guides and hiking guides in the industry. All Yamnuska Mountain Adventures climbing guides are certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.
