AST Level 2 in Lake Louise and Rogers Pass

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, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Lake Louise and Rogers Pass, please refer to Alberta’s official COVID-19 info 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 adventure:

• • An experienced, certified guide (CAA Professional member certified instructor) with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 3 full days in the field
  • day of mixed classroom and field education
  • An Avalanche Canada Curriculum
  • A Canadian Avalanche Association Professional Field Book

What’s not included:

• • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment (avalanche safety gear can be rented for $20/day)
  • Accommodation
  • Transportation
  • Food and snacks

In order to get the most of this adventure, you need to have a high level of fitness. You will be on your feet for 3 intense long 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 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.

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

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• • Helmet
  • Sunglasses and ski goggles
  • Gloves and sun/snow hat
  • Extra gloves/mitts
  • 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 40L backpack)
  • Camera — optional

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 can be rented from your guide
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from the Lake Louise Ski Resort
  • Splitboards can be rented from the Lake Louise Ski Resort

Ski rental locations are in Lake Louise 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 usual guest-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

Ski touring in Lake Louise & Rogers Pass can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

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 you plan to take this course with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

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

To get to Lake Louise, most people fly into Calgary International Airport 2 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus, shuttle, or private shuttle service to Lake Louise.

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 at the Lake Louise Alpine Centre or a predetermined location. From there, you’ll head to your tour. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ski ability of the group.