Avalanche Skills Training 2 in the Canadian Rockies

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:

• 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

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. 

• 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

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.