With something in store for every adventurer, Squamish is one of the most versatile and welcoming destinations in Canada. The easily-accessible terrain and plenty of peaks, deep powder and pristine slopes , you’ll feel motivated to grab your skis and spitboards and go out for a day of fun and adrenaline. However, the beautiful nature around you can become risky in a blink of an eye. To minimize danger and mitigate avalanche hazards, update and upgrade your avalanche awareness and safety skills. Builds on the knowledge and skills learned in the AST 1 by exploring more advanced topics and snowpack tests. Learning about different possible scenarios, predicting and understanding the phenomena, and using theoretical knowledge in the Squamish’s marvelous backcountry will allow you to become a more confident skier.
Squamish is known for broad terrain and steeps and alpine bowls
Build on the foundations of your AST 1 Course in ideal avalanche terrain
Acquire theoretical knowledge in a classroom setting and put it to use in the field
Ready for your next step in your avalanche skills development? This 4-day hands-on course will help you develop the skills needed to make those all-important go or no-go calls on your next backcountry adventure. Join your certified and highly experienced guides and learn all about the avalanche phenomena, recognize the terrain where avalanches occur and find routes that minimize risk.
Participants must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain. An AIARE 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 Level 2 course.
This is a hands-on avalanche awareness training course featuring extensive practical field experience augmented with a self-directed online theory module. Most of the classroom material will be covered online followed by 4 days in the field. The exact location of the field days will be based on current conditions and weather but you can expect 1 or 2 days off of Whistler-Blackcomb. The curriculum is designed to give a solid grounding in the essentials and is based on the requirements set out by Avalanche Canada.
Learn how to:
Day 0: Online Learning
Day 1: Mixed Field & Classroom Day
Days 2 to 4: Field Days
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 traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Squamish, BC, please refer to the Explore Squamish and the Government of British Columbia.
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 adventure:
What’s not included:
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 full days. 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: Participants must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain. An AIARE 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 Level 2 course.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
Rental locations are in Squamish 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:
Min. age requirements:
If anyone under the age of 19 wants to join your group, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Squamish, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport, about 1.5 hours away from Squamish. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.
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. If you’ve opted for the in-person course, you’ll head to the guiding company’s classroom location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
For the field days, you’ll need snow chains to get to the location.
Once your trip is confirmed by your guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies:
