Included: An experienced, certified guide with extensive knowledge of the area A full day of online classroom instruction A full day in the field Pre-course logistics AvCan curriculum with AvCan text and Avaluator Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe AvCan certificate of completion Not included: Technical backcountry ski touring equipment Accommodation Transportation Food and snacks

How fit do I need to be?

In order to get the most of this adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain. Prerequisites: You don’t need to be an advanced skier or boarder, but you do need to be able to ascend moderate slopes using skins. All participants should be comfortable traveling in snow while carrying touring gear. There are no other prerequisites.

Waiver and release of liability

Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking. Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver . During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip. Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.

What equipment do I need to bring?

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 (provided by the guide if needed): Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon Lightweight snow shovel Avalanche probe For personal items, we recommend bringing: Helmet Snowshoes — optional Sunglasses or ski goggles Gloves and hat Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended) Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended) Down jacket or vest Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people) Water bottle and 1L 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

Can I rent equipment?

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. The following can be rented: Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from GearUp Sports in Canmore Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots from GearUp Sports in Canmore Splitboards from GearUp Sports in Canmore Ski rental locations can be found in Canmore and Banff 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 age requirements

Group sizes and pricing: These courses are not private. For the group courses, the max guest to guide ratio is 8:1. Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Banff, most people fly into Calgary International Airport less than 2 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle. It takes another hour to reach Bow Summit and about 30 minutes to reach Vermillion Pass. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. From there, you’ll head to your tour. The field day will be held in Vermillion Pass or Bow Summit depending on the conditions.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection . To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner ! Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Check out Early bird options for best sellers here

Banff | Alberta

AST Level 1 Avalanche Course in Banff

2 days | 5.00

From $217 ()

Reserve now

With its crown of snow-capped peaks towering majestically above a host of surreally colored glacial lakes, Canada’s first and most visited national park is a veritable feast for the eyes. But in addition to its tourist splendor, Banff is also a scene of pilgrimage for outdoor lovers who flock year-round to revel in the park’s wealth of first-class sporting opportunities. Come snowfall, the peaks and hills transform into a skier’s playground, and the area’s wintertime conditions become perfect for avalanche education. This AST Level 1 course in Banff National Park is designed to teach backcountry travelers how to obtain current information about avalanches, understand snowpack dynamics, and safely navigate the unpredictable terrain. With an expert guide by your side, this is the perfect learning environment. And if you’re lucky, you might even witness the winter night sky stunningly illuminated by the Northern Lights.

Adventure Highlights

Banff National Park is one of Canada’s most prized natural jewels
Excellent snow conditions and breathtaking scenery
The perfect combination of classroom and hands-on experience

Duration

2 days

Season

November through April

Group size

Up to 24 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

This introductory avalanche safety course will help you understand the perils of the backcountry and prepare you for any challenges you might face during your travels through the snowy wilderness. Learn avalanche safety theory from your seasoned and certified instructors in a safe online environment, then spend the following day putting your newfound knowledge to use in the field.

Field days will be held at the Bow Summit or Vermillion Pass.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

The course starts off with an online Zoom classroom section, during which you will cover topics such as:

- The root causes of avalanches
- Basic weather concepts and patterns contributing to avalanche hazards
- Group dynamics, risk tolerance and discovering your personal mountain intuition
- Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale ATES
- Snow crystal growth and metamorphism (snow science)
- Avalanche Canada daily Avalanche Bulletin

On the following day, you’ll get the chance to apply your newfound knowledge in the field. Head to Bow Summit or Vermillion Pass with your guides and get ready for an outing full of excitement. Learn all about:

- Basics of companion rescue and avalanche gear
- Rescue techniques
- Snowpack analysis
- Methods of managing groups and mitigating risk
- Reading the terrain
- Skiing and riding the park’s brilliant powder.

Classes are held over two days, either during the week (Tuesday-Wednesday) or over the weekend (Saturday-Sunday). Due to conditions, the field day location may change. Any changes will be discussed during the online class.

Adventure Architect

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Photo gallery

The snowy mountains in Banff are the ideal background for practicing avalanche skills.

Learn how to use equipment on this AST 1 course in Banff

Adventure, packed to go

AST Level 1 Avalanche Course in Banff

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

Download to share and explore full itineraries, key info, FAQs, and guide details.

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What others say about this adventure

5.00 (2 reviews)

Monika

Outdoor adventures

I’ve been sport rock, trad rock, ice climbing, crevasse coursing and avalanche training through jeff for many years now. His knowledge of the Rockies is incredible and he brings a really light and fun atmosphere to a training environment every single time we are out. Jeff’s physical abilities and his “let’s do it” approach give me a huge peace of mind. There is never anyone else I would want to contact first to head out on a mountain adventure with

Tereza S.

Great experience!

Highly recommended! Did AST1 with Tamara and it was fantastic!!! Small group, well organized, professionally run and very enjoyable. Thanks for the great weekend!

Show all reviews

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, certified guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - A full day of online classroom instruction
  - A full day in the field
  - Pre-course logistics
  - AvCan curriculum with AvCan text and Avaluator
  - Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
  - AvCan certificate of completion
Not included:
- - Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  - Accommodation
  - Transportation
  - Food and snacks
In order to get the most of this adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

Prerequisites:
You don’t need to be an advanced skier or boarder, but you do need to be able to ascend moderate slopes using skins. All participants should be comfortable traveling in snow while carrying touring gear. There are no other prerequisites.
Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking.

Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver. During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip.

Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.
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 (provided by the guide if needed):
    
    Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    
    Lightweight snow shovel
    
    Avalanche probe
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- - Helmet
  - Snowshoes — optional
  - Sunglasses or ski goggles
  - Gloves and hat
  - Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Down jacket or vest
  - Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
  - One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
  - Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
  - Water bottle and 1L 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
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. The following can be rented:
- - Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from GearUp Sports in Canmore
  - Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots from GearUp Sports in Canmore
  - Splitboards from GearUp Sports in Canmore
Ski rental locations can be found in Canmore and Banff 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:
- - These courses are not private. For the group courses, the max guest to guide ratio is 8:1.
  - Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Banff, most people fly into Calgary International Airport less than 2 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle. It takes another hour to reach Bow Summit and about 30 minutes to reach Vermillion Pass.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. From there, you’ll head to your tour. The field day will be held in Vermillion Pass or Bow Summit depending on the conditions.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits

Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

Basic
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Super Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.

Have more questions?

Our team is here to answer your questions and plan with you.

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Backcountry Skiing

Backcountry Skiing Safety for Beginners

Heading into the backcountry this season requires that skiers know the risks and how to safely manage them, especially in avalanche terrain. If you’re new to backcountry skiing, let internationally licensed mountain guide Rob Coppolillo teach you what you need to consider before leaving the groomers behind. From the avalanche courses you need to take to the safety gear you need to invest in to how to stay risk aware, Rob shareed with you some basic tools you can use on your backcountry journey. This is not a replacement for formal avalanche education, but a primer on how to get started raising your level of awareness. With a little effort, humility, and willingness to learn, anyone can become a backcountry skier, and Rob will teach you about the importance of heading out with a guide and how they can help you prepare for backcountry adventuring in a safe way. Rob is the author of The Ski Guide Manual: Advanced Techniques for the Backcountry, as well as an AIARE Level 1 & 2 Instructor. His guidebooks are what guides turn to for info, so there is no better teacher than him! Find out how you can safely experience the magic of backcountry powder with the help of Rob Coppolillo.

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