Avalanche Safety Courses — Come learn how to travel safely in winter
Whether you ice climb, backcountry ski, splitboard, or snowshoe, the Canadian Rockies is an ideal location to take an avalanche training course, as it has one of the weakest snowpacks in western Canada thanks to the wind intensity, colder temperatures and reduced snow pack. Hike Banff is partnered with Avalanche Canada in providing the approved curriculum for the Avalanche Safety Training (AST 1) where you will learn to recognize avalanche terrain, make good decisions in the backcountry, and practice rescuing someone involved in an avalanche. This is a good start to know what you need, what to be aware of, and how to understand the avalanche bulletin fully. All this plus understand the effects of the weather forecast on the snowpack.
Our Avalanche Safety Instructors are certified ACMG guides and members of the Canadian Avalanche Association. Jane Whitney is a Level 2 certified member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and has been teaching AST for years.
AVALANCHE SAFETY TRAINING(AST 1)
The AST 1 course is essential for your safety and well-being. Learn to recognize avalanche terrain and how to either avoid it or travel safely through it. On this two day course, you will learn how to understand avalanche forecasts, what to look for in the field, make good decisions, and learn the necessary rescue skills from certified instructors.
SKILL LEVEL: Introductory
2026 DATES:
Jan 28, 29, Feb 4, 5 or Feb 11, 12 6-9 pm online class
Jan 31, Feb 7 or Feb 14 Field Day at Bow Summit
Email us your interest. On line Classroom is by zoom. Field Day takes place in the Canadian Rockies at Bow Summit.
PRICE: $295 per person. Group bookings available.
PRICE INCLUDES: Avalanche Skills Training Handbook (Floyer and Robine), Avaluator booklet. You will need to bring an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe.
PROGRAM: This course is suitable for participants who are wanting to learn more about traveling in the back country in winter. The course includes two evenings of on line learning plus a full day outside. It follows the Avalanche Canada curriculum for Avalanche Skills Training Level 1. Online classroom session takes place by zoom. The field day takes place in the Canadian Rockies. at Bow Summit. You will need transportaton.
LOGISTICS: Once enrolled, we will send you an information package with the logistics for the course. An AST 1 certificate will be presented upon completion of both the classroom and field day sessions.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING: A complete list of information can be found here
Photo: Nicholas Rapaich
2026 AST-1
Dates: Weekends or mid week; contact us!
All AST-1 sessions have an online classroom day held the day before the field day via zoom. The Field day will take place the following day. Custom dates available. Group bookings available.
