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Vancouver and Whistler Avalanche Skills and Training

Powder Guides offers backcountry skiers & snowboarders premiere training on avalanche education and safety in Vancouver and Whistler.

Program Details

LOCATION: Vancouver & Whistler, BC
DATES: Contact Us
DURATION: 2 Days
PRICE: $215.00

Vancouver and Whistler Avalanche Skills and Training Course

Designed by the Canadian Avalanche Centre, this two-day Whistler/Vancouver avalanche course (AST-1) prepares backcountry skiers to identify and avoid unsafe terrain and give them the preparation they need to safely respond to avalanche conditions while ski touring in the Vancouver/Whistler areas and beyond. Power Guides utilizes a team of experienced ACMG Ski Guides with decades of experience in the backcountry skiing and ski touring. As such, our instructors bring real world experience to the classroom sessions and are trained and certified to provide comprehensive training on avalanche safety and education via the Avalanche Skills Training course. Specifically, this course is designed to educate participants how to:

  • UNDERSTAND THE BASICS OF AVALANCHE FORMATION AND RELEASE.
  • IDENTIFY AVALANCHE TERRAIN.
  • KNOW THE STEPS REQUIRED TO PLAN AND CARRY OUT A TRIP.
  • FIND RESOURCES FOR OBTAINING AVALANCHE DANGER RATINGS.
  • USE APPROPRIATE TRAVEL TECHNIQUES IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN.
  • CARRY OUT A COMPANION RESCUE.
  • USING AVULATOR FOR DECISION MAKING.

While keen attention is given to training backcountry skiers how to respond to avalanche situations, this course places a major focus on avalanche preparation and preparedness. Upon completion of this course, participants will know specifically how to prepare for ski touring in the backcountry, including what to bring (beacons, snow shovels, snow probe, etc.), how to make sure equipment is working properly. Participants will also gain an in-depth understanding of how to ensure they know where and when to ski, including what routes to take and which routes to avoid and under what weather and snow conditions. Attendees will be able to look for signs of unstable conditions in advance and learn various techniques for minimizing risk while on the slopes, using safe travel techniques. Powder Guides approach to this Whistler/Vancouver avalanche safety course is designed to combine classroom and field instruction while placing a strong emphasis on hands-on learning. Students will spent a minimum of 7 hours given classroom instruction followed by a full day of practices avalanche prevention and safety techniques in the field. In this way, our instructors are able to simulate a real-word experience for participants, which can be critical to avoid avalanche conditions and to response during real-world situations. Our goal is to give students a well-rounded understanding of how to avoid avalanche prone terrain and understand to conditions that cause dangerous avalanche conditions. The AST Level II course expands on the AST Level 1 course and should be taken upon completion of the entry level course. Both are well suited for backcountry ski enthusiasts or those that frequently practice ski touring in the Vancouver / Whistler area. Join us today on one of our avalanche safety courses and get the skills you need!

Why Book

A unique team of professional ski guides who utilize their immense experience and knowledge to coordinate and guide clients on the best backcountry skiing adventures around the world. We specialize in ski-touring, heli skiing, and avalanche skills training, with preferred Operators across the globe, including locations like Canada, Japan, Iceland, and South America.

A unique team of professional ski guides who utilize their immense experience and knowledge to coordinate and guide clients on the best backcountry skiing adventures around the world.