AST Level 2 Avalanche Course at Ymir Lodge

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Nelson, BC, please refer to the Province of British Columbia website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get in this all-inclusive adventure: 

• An experienced, certified guide with extensive knowledge of the area
• 3 or 6 guided days with ACMG guides
• Heli flight to and from Ymir Lodge from Nelson, BC
• Accommodation in the Ymir Lodge
• Meals
• Avalanche Canada Certificate

What’s not included:

• Technical backcountry ski touring equipment (can be rented)
• Transportation to and from Nelson, BC
• Food and accommodation before and after the course

In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have an excellent level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. While there is terrain for all skill levels, this course is for intermediate to advanced skiers only. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging black level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

This course is not for fist-time backcountry skiers. You should have several seasons of touring experience, have completed a level 1 avalanche course, and have strong fitness/movement skills. Participants must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain. An AST 1 Course (strongly recommended) or equivalent Level 1 training is required. A winter of practical experience after the Level 1 course is highly recommended before taking the AST 2 course. AST or AAA-approved one-day Avalanche Rescue Course.

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

• Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
• Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
• Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
  • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
  • Lightweight snow shovel
  • Avalanche probe
  • Harness for glacier travel (for advanced touring)
  • Snowscreen thermometer — optional
  • Saw (33cm pruning saw) — optional

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• Helmet
• Head lamp with good batteries
• Sunglasses or ski goggles
• Light gloves
• Medium gloves
• Heavy gloves or mitts
• Long underwear top (synthetic or wool)
• Light fleece or wool sweater
• Lightweight wind jacket (nylon or ‘Schoeller’)
• Waterproof – breathable shell jacket
• Warm insulated jacket (down or synthetic)
• Pair of wool or synthetic socks and liner socks
• Pair wool or synthetic underwear
• Long underwear bottoms (synthetic or wool)
• Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants
• Waterproof breathable shell pants (full zip is best)
• Handkerchief
• Down or synthetic camp booties — optional
• Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
• Insulated water bottle and 1.5-2L of water
• Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
• Food you can eat on-the-go
• First-aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
• Camera — optional
• Duffle bag for flying into the lodge
• Shoes or sandals
• Winter boots for travel to the outhouse
• Hut clothing
• 1-2 towels and a swimsuit for sauna
• Personal medications and toiletries
• Chargers for electronic devices (normal AC power is available via micro-hydro)

Your guide recommends bringing the following resource materials that you should have received on your AST1 course: Avalanche Skills Training Handbook, Floyer/Robine, Avaluator 2.0

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

• Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from your guide.
• Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from ROAM Shop.
• Splitboards can be rented from ROAM Shop.

Ski rental locations are in Nelson, BC, and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

Group sizes and pricing:

• For this course, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. Ymir Lodge sleeps up to 19 people.
• It takes a minimum of 5 participants for this tour to run.
• Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows. Since the course is not private, solo backcountry enthusiasts are more than welcome!

Courses at Ymir Lodge and around Nelson, BC can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• If you are older than 13, you’re good to go.
• Minors joining the course need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 60 days prior to departure. For bookings within 30 days of the departure, full payment is required. 

Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

• For cancellations thirty (30) or less days in advance, Client is not entitled to any refund. 
• No refunds or credits are given for “no-shows” or those who prematurely depart from a trip or course for any reason

For this adventure, your guides cannot refund trip payments, including deposits, as they are committed to expensive bookings like helicopters, lodges, and vehicle transfers. We strongly recommend trip insurance for these bookings.

To get to Ymir Lodge, you can drive from Calgary (about six hours) or Vancouver (about eight hours), but most people fly into Spokane International Airport, WA. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service. Drive time is approximately three hours with a border crossing.

You will meet your guides at the staging area at Kootenay Valley Helicopters in Nelson, BC (KVH 250-505-2150) and from there take a helicopter ride to the Ymir Lodge.