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AST 2 – Avalanche Skills Training

The AST Level 2 is a course that takes you to bigger mountains, further places and wilder terrain. So if you’re looking to take it a few steps further -literally- then this is the course for you.

Location
Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, BC
Duration
3.5 Days**
Difficulty
Intermediate / Expert
Guest Ratio
6 to 1

Starting at $675 per person

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AST 2: avalanche decisions in bigger terrain

AST 2 is Avalanche Canada’s advanced recreational avalanche course. Ours is 3.5 days: half a day of online learning, then three full field days in the Whistler backcountry, the Duffey Lake area and wherever conditions are best. You move from rules-based decisions to experience-based ones, using your own observations to choose terrain. Up to 6 students per guide, from $675 + GST midweek and $725 on weekends, with an Avalanche Canada AST 2 certificate at the end.

Taught by ACMG guides, and you know who before you book

Every Altus AST 2 is led by an ACMG certified ski guide, not an assistant instructor. Each date below lists the guide running it, so you can pick the person you want to learn from. Our guides are Sea to Sky locals with decades of guiding, avalanche work and big-mountain skiing between them.

Spend three full days immersed in challenging and complex terrain to push and expand your backcountry knowledge. The course builds on your own touring experience by focusing on observational tools and experiential decision making.

Want to stay out in the mountains?

Our hut based AST 2 at the Kees and Claire Hut is four full field days and three nights in the Whistler backcountry.

What does this course cover?

Level
  1. Beginner
  2. Intermediate
  3. Advanced

Part of the Advanced skill set.

Participants of the AST 2 course shift from rule-based decision making to experiential decision making. We focus on tools that will leverage your past experiences with observational tools in the field to make safe decisions in avalanche terrain. The AST 2 course covers advanced snow assessment, decision-making process, group management and advanced travel techniques.

Avalanche Skills Training

  • Use the Avaluator™ as a filtering tool to determine when additional planning and travel techniques are required to travel safely.
  • Be familiar with Avalanche Danger Rating verification techniques for personal use on a local scale.
  • Be familiar with the ATES technical model as a means to develop personal, local terrain ratings.

Travel and Rescue

  • Use route finding to take advantage of nuances in terrain to manage personal risk.
  • Use travel techniques in avalanche terrain appropriate to the avalanche conditions.
  • Proficiently carry out a companion rescue. Understand the limits of their training

Prerequisites

AST 1 - Avalanche Skills Training

Is this course for me?

This course is the next step in your Avalanche Skills Training. Participants must have completed an AST 1 (or equivalent) or have permission from instructors based on your past backcountry experience. It is also recommended that participants have a minimum of 20 days of touring experience and regularly ski tours of 1000m days of uphill travel.

  • Advanced Ski or Boarding Ability (black diamond runs)
  • Familiarity with Ski Touring or Split Board Equipment
  • Moderate Fitness - Can Ski Tour Uphill 1000 - 1500m
  • AST 1 or Equivalent
  • 20 Days Ski Touring Experience

Add Ons

W/B Lift Ticket - $45

Crevasse Rescue + Glacier Travel Online Course - $45

Includes

  • Course Material (Decision Making Hand Book)
  • 3 Days Instruction from an ACMG Ski Guide (CAA member)
  • 1/2 day online course that you can refer back to for 2 months following your course

Does Not Include

  • Avalanche Rescue Equipment
  • Whistler Blackcomb Backcountry Lift Ticket
  • Lunch

2026/2027 Season

  1. Nov. 27 - 29 · Guide: Tucker$725 per person + GSTBook
  2. Dec. 8 - 10 (Midweek) · Guide: Robert$675 per person + GSTBook
  3. Dec. 18 - 20 · Guide: Brian$725 per person + GSTBook
  4. Jan. 8 - 10 · Guide: Tucker$725 per person + GSTBook
  5. Jan. 12 - 14 (Midweek) · Guide: Robert$675 per person + GSTBook
  6. Jan. 22 - 24 · Guide: Brian$725 per person + GSTBook
  7. Feb. 9 - 11 (Midweek) · Guide: Tucker$675 per person + GSTBook
  8. Feb. 12 - 14 · Guide: Robert$725 per person + GSTBook
  9. Mar. 12 - 14 · Guide: Brian$725 per person + GSTBook
  10. Custom Course (up to 6 people)$3,250 per group + GSTBook

Partners

Certified avalanche canada AST provider

FAQ

Am I ready for AST 2?

You should have AST 1 (or equivalent experience, at the instructor’s discretion), around 20 days of ski touring, advanced ski or riding ability on black diamond runs, and the fitness to climb 1,000–1,500 m in a day. If someone else still chooses the slopes when you tour, get more days in first.

What's the difference between AST 1 and AST 2?

AST 1 teaches rules-based decisions for simple terrain. AST 2 moves you to experience-based decisions in more complex terrain: verifying the avalanche danger rating yourself, rating terrain with ATES, choosing routes that use small terrain features, and managing a group. It is three field days instead of one. Want more field time? The hut based AST 2 adds a fourth field day and three nights at the Kees and Claire Hut.

Where does the course run?

Day 1 is usually in the Whistler backcountry, day 2 in the Duffey Lake area near Pemberton, and day 3 wherever conditions are best. Each day starts at 8:00 am with a classroom session, then the field session runs until about 4:00 pm. Weekend courses run Friday to Sunday and midweek courses run Tuesday to Thursday.

How much does AST 2 cost?

$725 + GST for weekend sessions (Friday to Sunday) and $675 + GST for midweek sessions (Tuesday to Thursday). Private courses for your own group of up to 6 people are $3,250 + GST per group. Avalanche rescue gear, lift tickets and lunch are not included.

What's the guide-to-student ratio?

Up to 6 students per ACMG guide.

Is there an online component?

Yes. A 4-hour online course comes before the field days. You can complete it any time beforehand and refer back to it for 2 months after your course.

Do I need a lift ticket?

Some field days use the Whistler Blackcomb lifts to reach the backcountry. If you don’t have a season or Epic pass, add a backcountry lift ticket ($45) when you book.

What certificate do I get?

The Avalanche Canada AST 2 certificate. Altus is a registered Avalanche Canada AST provider.

Can I take AST 2 on a splitboard?

Yes. Splitboarders are welcome, as long as you are comfortable touring and riding advanced terrain on your splitboard.

Is there a minimum group size?

Yes. Scheduled courses need at least 3 participants to run.

What gear do I need?

Avalanche gear: transceiver, probe (220–320 cm) and collapsible metal shovel.
Touring gear: touring skis or splitboard with skins, boots, poles and a 30–40 L pack.
Clothing: waterproof shell, breathable layers, synthetic insulated jacket, spare gloves, hat and goggles.
Other: repair kit, first aid kit, headlamp, lunch and water for each day.

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