Participants will receive “AST Level 1” certification, which is recognized by Avalanche Canada.
Course Content
Avalanche Canada’s (formerly Canadian Avalanche Centre) “Avalanche Skills Training” (AST Level 1) course is a comprehensive program combining classroom instruction and 2 days of field activity, for a total of 19 hours of direct instruction. The course focuses on understanding, recognizing & avoiding avalanche hazards. AST Level 1 will focus on terrain recognition, basic snow pack structure, weather, safe route finding & avalanche rescue techniques.
Who Should Take This Course?
Snowmobilers, skiers, snowshoers, search-and-rescue volunteers, and outdoor leaders. No previous avalanche training experience is required for the AST Level 1 course.
Comments from previous Avalanche Safety workshops:
“Enjoyable high quality instruction. Thank-You.”
“Super fun weekend and super glad I took the course!”
“Great organization and preparedness on behalf of Hope Mountain Centre.”
“The excellent instructors that Hope Mountain Centre was able to provide made the course 100% effective and worthwhile.”
“Considering the difference in skill levels on the team, I felt (the instructors) worked very patiently and systematically with all of us so we did not get left behind.”
“Excellent experience… Thank you all for your expertise.”
“The instructors were awesomely positive, skilled at what they were teaching and skilled teachers.”
COST
Cost: $250 per person. Snowshoes are also available for $10 weekend rental. Group discounts are available. Price includes:
- 19 hrs of direct instruction
- 6:1 student / instructor ratio (maximum)
- All Manuals as required by the CAC, including the Avaluator
- Industry-recognized certificate of completion
- Use of safety equipment, including; shovel, probe, and transceiver
PHYSICAL DEMAND
Participants must be physically mobile and have at least moderate physical fitness and stamina. Field classes will take place in the mountains, requiring participants to ski or snowshoe approximately 2 km from a highway, gaining approximately 200 metres elevation.
ITINERARY
Friday
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM – Introductory classroom session – University of the Fraser Valley, Hope Campus, 1250 7th Avenue, Hope, BC
Saturday
8:00 AM – Classroom session – University of the Fraser Valley, Hope Campus, 1250 7th Avenue, Hope, BC
Afternoon – Field-based activity in Hope
4:00 PM – End of day
Sunday
9:00 AM – Meet at Coquihalla toll booth for field-based activity at Coquihalla Summit. Note: Coquihalla Summit is our first choice for the Sunday activity if snow is deep enough, but as our back up we’ll use Manning Park Ski Area–it’s a bit higher and typically has more snow.
4:00 PM – Leave Coquihalla toll booth for home
MEETING LOCATION MAP & ITINERARY (available shortly)
**Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless we determine that it will affect the safety of participants and/or equipment.
MEETING PLACE
Friday and Saturday: University of the Fraser Valley, Hope Campus, 1250 7th Avenue, Hope, BC
Sunday: Old Coquihalla Hwy toll booth or Manning Park ski area depending on snow depth.
MEETING LOCATION MAP & ITINERARY available shortly.
ACCOMMODATION
Participants may wish to stay in Hope on Friday and Saturday night, and enjoy our local restaurants, cafes, and movie theatre. A great selection of motels and B&Bs are available in the Hope area. Click HERE for details.
TRANSPORTATION
Participants must get to Hope with their own vehicles and travel to the field locations with their own vehicles (carpooling is encouraged). Field locations are accessible via paved highways.
WHAT TO BRING
- Lunch and high-energy snack food for Saturday and Sunday
- Water (at least 1 litre per person) for each day
- Skis or snowshoes for field activity (we can provide snowshoes if needed)
- Warm winter clothes
- If you have an iPhone, bring it and Brad will show you how to access public avalanche bulletins.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Everyone age 19 & over must sign a liability waiver form in order to participate in this program. Please take the time to read this form because you must understand and agree to it when you sign it. By signing it you are waiving certain rights, including the right to sue. These forms will be available to sign when you check in. Please seek legal counsel if you have any questions.
Everyone age 18 & under must have an informed consent form signed by their parent or legal guardian in order to participate. Please contact us if you need this form prior to arrival at this program.
CANCELLATIONS
If a registration is cancelled 7 days or more before a program starts, HMCOL will refund the program fee and equipment rental fees (as applicable) minus an administrative cost of $20 per person. Program and equipment rental fees will not be refunded if a cancellation is received less than 7 days before the start of a program. A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled, participants will receive a full refund of program and equipment fees.
Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless we determine that it will affect the safety of participants and/or equipment.
A NOTE ABOUT LIABILITY
Hope Mountain Centre carries liability insurance and maintains excellent safety records. Due to the nature of outdoor programs, these trips do involve some personal risk. Hope Mountain Centre assumes no responsibility for personal injury or damage to personal property and we will require each participant to sign a liability release and assumption of risk form before participating in this program. Please be aware that activities typical of this program involve many risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from events; slips and falls; loss of balance; impact, cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia, frostbite, sunburn; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, blizzards, whiteouts and high wind; steepness of terrain, tree wells, crevasses; avalanches, cornices, landslides and falling ice, snow and objects; encounters with domestic or wild animals; negligence on the part of releasees and other participants. While we love animals of all kinds, we ask that you please leave Fido at home.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
Register online to reserve your spot. Call 604-869-1274 or email us at lklassen@hopemountain.org for more information.
Avalanche safety expert Brad Harrison leads this skills course teaching safe winter travel in the backcountry.
Program: Avalanche SafetyWhen: December 2, 3 & 4, 2016
Where: Hope, Coquihalla Summit or Manning Park ski area (depending on snow depth).
Program Registration
Online registration is closed. Contact us at 604-869-1274 for more information or last minute registration.
TRIP LEADERS
Brad Harrison
Instructor
Brad has extensive experience travelling and working in the backcountry. He is a professional member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and currently works as the coordinator for the Canadian Mountain and Ski Guide program at Thompson Rivers University. For over 20 years, Brad previously owned and operated Golden Alpine Holidays, a group of 3 backcountry lodges located in the Columbia Mountains. He is significantly involved in avalanche training, working both on the professional level courses for the Canadian Avalanche Association, as well as the AST program for Avalanche Canada.
Terry Palechuk
Instructor
Terry has been a backcountry enthusiast for decades and works as an instructor for the Canadian Mountain and Ski Guide program at Thompson Rivers University. He’s a gifted teacher who can clearly explain both the science and the “human factor” in winter safety.
Kelly Pearce
Program Director
Kelly is a Hope resident and Program Director for the Hope Mountain Centre. He has taught ecology and human history in the North Cascades for 20 years.