This course is taught by Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures by a professional ACMG certified guide. MSAA is offering a special price for BCMC members of $1019.15 + GST (regular price for non-members: $1199 + GST). 

Don't forget that all Active BCMC Member receive a 15% Discount on ALL MSAA Courses. To receive the discount please contact our office at info@msaa.ca with your valid membership number.  

Develop your "Backcountry Skills" with the Sea to Sky's leading mountain school. Obtain the complete required skill set & implementation through expert certified guides and our carefully crafted curriculum. Est. 1991 - Trip Advisor; Hall of Fame status,  beloved and trusted by BCMC members!

Course Details:

AST-2 is designed to tie together fundamentals from AST-1, some experience, and build on those to give students the advanced skills to explore further. After a day in the classroom, students spend three days and two nights in the field with an ACMG/IFMGA CAA Level 2 guide at one of several amazing alpine huts.

Our guides will show you new ways to observe terrain and plan for safe, efficient travel, more in-depth snow analysis and snow stability tests, how to plan for challenging objectives or multi-day adventures, and how to take a broader look at risk management strategies.

Progress from a basic backcountry traveler to someone who plans and thinks like a guide with this immersive four-day course. AST 2 consists of Avalanche Canada curriculum augmented with custom MSAA material to maximize your learning experience.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Classroom portion - 9:00am - 5:00pm (not based at the hut)

Everyone will sign waivers and the guide will review what you covered in your AST1 before starting on the course theory. The day will include a short morning and afternoon break as well as a lunch break. The day will end with a debrief along with homework, some handouts and a resources list.

Day 2-4: Field Days - 8:30am - 4:30pm

The guide will lead a short briefing (discussing current conditions and weather) and have everyone perform a gear check. From there you will head to the hut to apply the skills you learned in the classroom. The days will end at approximately 4:30pm with homework. The end of the course will have a course debrief and discussion of what steps you can take after your AST2.

Gear List:

Day 1: (Classroom Day)

• Pen (due to COVID-19, we will not be providing pens)
• Paper/notebook
• Lunch, snacks & water
• Laptop (optional)

Day 2-4: (Field Day): Dress appropriately for the conditions.

• Touring skis or splitboard and skins
• Poles (telescopic poles required for splitboarders)
• Ski / snowboard boots
• Lift pass
• 45L + pack
• Light Sleeping Bag
• Sleeping Pad
• Headlamp with fresh batteries
• Water bottle(s) (Minimum 1L capacity)
• Multi-tool
• Sunglasses, sunscreen
• Goggles & Helmet
• Personal Care Kit (toilet paper, toothbrush/toothpaste, personal medical drugs)
• General Repair Kit: to repair packs, clothing, Thermarest, etc.
• Blister kit/First Aid
• Avalanche safety kit
• Harness (optional depending on location)
• Glacier travel kit (optional depending on location and only if you know crevasse rescue)
• Ski and/or boot crampons depending on conditions and objective
• Mountaineering axe depending on conditions and objective

Optional:

• Thermos
• Ear Plugs
• Reading Material
• Camera
• Bandana
• Map, compass, GPS
• Field book and pencil
• Watch (with altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer)
• Hut Booties/Slippers

Curriculum:

Click HERE for the full curriculum

Payment:

Deposit Rule: Pay only 50% of the booking cost now to reserve your spot then pay the remainder 30 days before the course/trip start date. Select the option at checkout to redeem. 

On-line Registration process:

(1) Click “Join this trip” on the left hand side of the page. You will be added to the Waiting List

(2) Once on the Waiting List you will have access to the Course Online Payment on the left side of the page where you will find the promo code. Complete your payment directly with MSAA HERE  using the promo code. Be sure to select the right date in the drop down menu. You will receive a confirmation email from MSAA once your payment is completed.

(3) Forward your confirmation email to courses@bcmc.ca. You will then be added to the Confirmed List.

(4) Keep an eye on your email for further logistic details.

Please use the BCMC covid guidline for transporation. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact MSAA at +1 (604) 938-9242 or Oudi at courses@bcmc.ca.