AST1 Cain - For Skiers and Boarders

As low as:

$315.00 / person

(at 8:1 ratio)
  • STRENUOUSNESS
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  • TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
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Add-ons

Avi Kit Rental $25.00

Avalanche kit rental includes transceiver, shovel and probe. If you are bringing your own avi kit, this must include a modern, digital, 3-antenna transceiver, and a solid shovel and probe. If you do not have all three of these things then you must rent a kit from us to take part. Avi Kits once rented are non-refundable.

Island Turns and Tours Guidebook $69.00

Save on postage and have this indispensable trip planning guide delivered to you at your course. With well over 500 Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale rated Island tours, this guidebook allows you to apply the learning from your IAG/HVI course to doing real trips in the mountains.

IAG Cancellation Coverage $18.00

As per our Cancellation Policy, your trip or course is 100% non-refundable as of 30 days prior to the trip/course start date. Purchasing this add-on will allow you to cancel your trip/course within that 30 day time period for reasons of injury, illness or family emergency, and will provide you with a credit for the full value of your trip/course fee which can be used on any Island Alpine Guides or Hike Vancouver Island trip or course for up to one year from the start date of the trip/course originally booked. If needed, credits can be transferred to another person of your choice. We charge a $25 admin fee in these cases.

About 


Looking to ride in the backcountry this winter? Avalanche Skills Training 1 (AST1) is an introductory course geared towards recreationalists with little to no experience in avalanche terrain. It’s also suitable for those with some experience who are looking for more formalized training. AST1 is recommended for anyone venturing into avalanche terrain outside of ski area boundaries. Each course provides a theory session and a practical field session. Students are provided with take-home reference materials and tools which provide clear and effective learning progressions, emphasizing important knowledge and skills. 

This ski/board course at Mount Cain benefits from T-bar access from the resort on the field day, providing a quick approach to excellent terrain for touring, learning, and riding.

Participants on the skier/boarder version of this course - must be strong intermediate skiers or boarders (able to ride blue square-equivalent runs comfortably and safely in natural, un-groomed conditions with a pack on their back). If your ski/boarding experience does not meet this level, we also offer AST1 for Snowshoers. Please see our 'requirements' tab for the full list of course prerequisites.

Curriculum

  • Understand the basics of avalanche formation and release
  • Recognize avalanche terrain
  • Develop a pre-trip plan
  • Use the Avaluator decision-making system
  • Interpret avalanche bulletins
  • Safe travel in avalanche terrain (uphill and down)
  • Complete slope scale assessments
  • Enact a companion rescue

Included

  • Online theory course (self-paced and pre-field day)
  • 1 day of field instruction with a certified CAA instructor
  • Avalanche Skills Training Handbook
  • Avaluator Trip Planner/Slope Assessment Tool
  • Avalanche Canada student fee
  • Certificate of completion
  • IAG Lifetime Learning Guarantee 

Not Included

  • Transportation
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Personal equipment 
  • Avi Kit (transceiver, shovel, probe – available as an add-on)
  • MCAPS membership (https://www.mountcain.com/membership/)
  • Mount Cain Lift Tickets (specially priced 1 or 2 ride lift tickets for this course would be purchased in person @ Mount Cain)

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details about our booking and cancellation policy, and other commonly asked questions.

Location


Mount Cain is a volunteer-run ski hill located about 20km from Woss on Northern Vancouver Island.

Given the remote location of this course, logistics may vary. Any specifications will be noted in the booking tab with the corresponding date.

About Mount Cain & Amenities

  • Volunteer-run ski hill located 20 km from Woss - see driving directions here
  • The road to Mount Cain is a serious mountain road and requires chains and winter tires 
  • Washroom facilities available
  • To use the lifts or rent accommodation at Mount Cain, you must be a MCAPS member - membership can be purchased for $20 and goes towards supporting the hill
  • There is no potable water (rental cabins supplied with water jugs, otherwise please bring what you require)
  • Parking lot is often used for car camping (there may be other groups using this area, so please be respectful of others by keeping the noise to a minimum and packing out what you pack in)
  • Check out Mount Cain’s accommodation rental page for accommodation details. 

If you enjoy using these facilities, please consider donating or volunteering for this volunteer run operation. Learn more about Mount Cain here, and read driving directions to Mount Cain here.


Itinerary


Online Theory Platform:

We’ve partnered with Altus Mountain Guides to bring you a comprehensive online AST 1 theory course you can complete at your own pace prior to your field day. You’ll work through a series of videos and presentations covering essential avalanche knowledge, followed by a final exam to confirm your understanding. The completion of this online course is a prerequisite for your AST 1 certificate. You’ll have access to revisit the course material for two months after receiving the login details/beginning the course.

A link to access the online theory portion of this course will be shared with everyone registered approx two weeks before the scheduled in-person days. Completing the theory portion of the course close to the field date helps keep the information and any questions fresh in your mind for discussion with your AST1 instructor.

Field Day:

8:30am: Students meet their instructor at Mount Cain for a morning meeting. Exact meeting details will be shared in the pre-trip email. Waivers and avi kit rentals handed out. 

9:00am: After the morning meeting, students will spend the day outside in the field, identifying terrain, practicing route finding and safe travel, and learning about slope assessment, hazard recognition and small party self-rescue.
 
4:00pm-5:00pm: Debrief and rental return

*Timing depends on the conditions, group dynamics, and how quickly the instructor can move through the necessary material. 

Participants will receive a pre-trip email apporx two weeks prior with trip details. Questions? Check out our FAQ page, or send us an email. 

Requirements


Avalanche Skills Training 1 is an introductory avalanche course designed for individuals with little to no avalanche related experience.

However, to register for our ski and board course, we ask that you are:

  • Are a strong intermediate skier or boarder (able to ride blue square-equivalent runs comfortably and safely in natural, un-groomed conditions with a pack on your back). 
  • Have a basic understanding of your gear and any limitations (consider practicing with your transceiver beforehand and your transitions with your touring set up in and out of walk and ride mode).
  • Are prepared to spend the day outside in variable conditions (please see gear list).
  • You have access to a vehicle with winter tires and chains.

If you don't have touring gear, we can offer our client's a 25% discount on their touring gear rentals from Ski Tak Hut for course and trip dates with us. If you'd prefer to use your resort skis/board for the course - you must then also carry snowshoes in your backpack for use on the uphill portions of the course and be prepared to carry your skis/snowboard uphill on your back (this latter combo option requires more energy). 

As an alternative/for those who don't meet the above ski/board experience requirements we also offer AST1 for Snowshoers. AST1 for Snowshoers covers the same curriculum as AST1 for Skiers/Boarders - just the pace of travel on the field day is different between the two courses. 

Questions? Check out our FAQ page, or send us an email. We are always happy to help you find a suitable course or customize something to suit your needs whenever possible.

Gear List


The equipment list provided aims to prepare you to be comfortable in the field regardless of the weather. Please ensure that all your gear is functioning and in proper repair. If you have any questions, send us an email: [email protected] 

Avalanche Safety Gear

These items are available as an add on “avalanche kit” when you book, or by request for $15/day.

  • Avalanche Transceiver (must be a modern, digital three-antenna)
  • Shovel: Collapsible aluminum shovel
  • Probe: Normal length probe somewhere from 220cm to 320cm

Hardware

  • Ski touring skis/splitboard (snowboarders may also go uphill on snowshoes with their board on their pack for descents)
  • Ski Poles with big baskets
  • Skins
  • Ski touring/snowboard boots
  • Day pack (30 - 40L, or whatever will fit your gear)

Clothing

  • Waterproof/breathable jacket and pants
  • Lightweight, breathable jacket and pants (for uphill skinning/climbing)
  • Insulated jacket (synthetic insulated jacket is strongly recommended)
  • Lightweight gloves for climbing/skinning 
  • Warm gloves
  • Warm hat
  • Balaclava or another type of neck warmer
  • Baselayers (top and bottom)

Other

  • Water
  • Lunch (and whatever snacks you require) 
  • Sunglasses
  • Goggles
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun hat
  • Ski strap
  • Personal first aid (e.g. blister kit, medication)
  • Camera
  • Notebook and pencil (Rite in the Rain recommended)

Rentals


Avalanche Kit: We offer rental transceivers, shovels and probes as an add-on kit when you book or by request pre-trip. If you do not have your own modern, digital, three antenna transceiver, collapsible shovel, and/or probe - please request a rental kit prior to your course/trip.

Touring Gear: 'Ski Tak Hut' in Courtenay (https://www.skitakhut.com/pages/rentals) offers backcountry ski and splitboard rentals. Clients on IAG courses and trips are eligible to receive a unique 25% discount code towards their gear rentals from Ski Tak Hut - for the duration of their course/trip with us. These discount codes are distributed directly by IAG to our clients upon request. Rentals from Ski Tak Hut can be ordered online using the unique discount code. Note you will be asked to show the booking confirmation you received from us when you pick up your gear.

Winter 4x4 Vehicle(s): 'Far Out Wilderness' (https://faroutwilderness.com/ski-tours-winter-4x4/) is a 4x4 vehicle rental service in Victoria that offers clients access to a fleet of rugged, reliable, and fully-equipped vehicles designed to conquer the most challenging winter terrain. Their vehicles come with snow tires with the 3 peak mountain symbol, chains, and ski racks. They also provide emergency equipment, including SOS, SPOT messenger systems, GPS, tire pump, toe rope, tire pressure gauge, a map to BC's backcountry roads, and a first aid kit. Everything you need to get safely to the ski slopes! Upon request, IAG clients can receive a 5% discount code towards their rentals from 'Far Out Wilderness'.

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for information about gear fitting, rentals, add ons, and other commonly asked questions, or send us an email.

Testimonials

You did a great job with making the course professional while keeping it entertaining and fun. I felt you did a great job of balancing the safety and technique messages while keeping it realistic and relating it to real situations and decision making. I would and have recommend the AST1 course to anyone who wants to explore any out of bounds areas whether they are skiers, boarders, snowshoe or hikers. I really liked the layout of the course and how you used what we were actually seeing (good and bad techniques) and experiencing as learning tools instead of just using theory. I am eager to get out and put some of my new skills to practice and continue learning in the outdoors! Tod Gilbert, Nanaimo, BC.
Just wanted to thank you for a great weekend. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Shauna Mack, Port McNeill, BC.
Thank you for offering a great course! Lots of information in just two days! Keiko Arakawa, Campbell River, BC.
Thanks again for a great course; it was so great to do the course on my home turf, because I now see that terrain in a whole new light. It actually made me more confident about going into avalanche terrain back there, because I have some tools to assess the risk appropriately. Jimmy Thomson, Vancouver, BC.
Thanks so much for doing a great job on that course! I can't remember ever learning so much in a weekend. The drive through the mountains back to Edmonton was extra fun -- I spent half the time tracing routes up and down the visible terrain. Euan Thomson, Edmonton AB
Thank you for an amazingly informative course. The content was very educational and you were superb at facilitating learning throughout! Bridget Horel, Merville, BC.
Thank you again for your work with the Alpine Club Youth this past weekend. They learned a lot and are inspired to learn more thanks to your engaging and informative course. Dahlia Miller, Victoria, BC.