AST 1 Course Equipment List 

You need to have everything on the list!

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

On the first day of the course students will be required to show proof of vaccination for Covid. This includes the vaccination certificate from your provincial health authority and a piece of government issued ID.

WHAT I CAN PROVIDE

I can provide the following:

  • Transceiver (charge of $10/day applies)

  • Shovel (no charge)

  • Probe (no charge)

Let me know as soon as possible if you need any of this.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVERS

  • We only allow MODERN DIGITAL TRANSCEIVERS on our trips.

  • A transceiver with a MARKING FUNCTION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

  • Your transceiver must have been tested in both transmit and receive modes – it needs to have a signal at a minimum of 30 metres in both modes.

  • I can recommend the following transceivers:

    • Pieps Powder BT

    • Black Diamond Recon BT

  • It is best if your transceiver is less than 10 years old.

  • Your transceiver has to have been manufactured since 2001 (so it meets EN 300718 standard).  

  • If your transceiver does not meet the specifications above you will not be going skiing!

Let me know if you would like more information on transceivers.

THE LIST

If you want to print this list you can cut and paste it into any text edit application.

CLASSROOM MATERIALS

Please bring the following to the classroom day:

  • The vaccination certificate from your provincial health authority and a piece of government issued ID.

  • Notepad, pen/pencil

  • Laptop/mobile device (optional)

  • Water

  • Lunch, water, snacks

optional additional materials

  • Textbook. Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper works well.

  • Maps for the Wapta/Bow Summit area and Rogers Pass. You may share maps with other students if you wish. You can buy a map of the Bow Summit/Wapta area here or you can buy one from me during the course.

  • Ski touring guidebooks for the Canadian Rockies and Rogers Pass. Check some out here and here. You may share guidebooks with other students.

SKIING EQUIPMENT

  • AT touring skis OR telemark skis OR splitboard OR snowshoes

  • Skins if using touring gear or splitboard

EQUIPMENT THAT YOU SHOULD BRING SKIING EVERY DAY

  • Digital avalanche transceiver (marking function recommended)

  • Avalanche shovel

  • Avalanche probe

  • Sunglasses

  • Goggles

  • Water bottle and/or thermos

  • Small headlamp

  • Small personal first aid/repair kit: band aids, blister kit, headache pills, hand and toe warmers, extra batteries for transceiver and headlamp, duct tape, pocket knife, special binding and boot parts.

  • Toilet kit: toilet paper, baggie for used paper, hand sanitizer

  • Camera

  • Health insurance information

  • 35-45 L capacity backpack

    • All your gear and clothing must fit inside your pack

    • Nothing should be strapped to the outside.

CLOTHING SYSTEMS

  • Average temperatures are normally about -5 to -15 but you need to be prepared for temperatures from -25 to +5

  • Several thin layers are better than fewer thicker layers. No cotton!

  • Long underwear tops and bottoms - wool or synthetic

  • Ski pants – softshell or light hardshell pants both are fine

  • Thin windbreaker/softshell - for walking uphill in warm conditions

  • Warmer softshell jacket – I prefer a hooded jacket but it’s absolutely necessary

  • Shell jacket – to keep the wet out, Gore-tex or similar seems best

  • Down or synthetic insulated jacket – for breaks and emergency use

  • Lightweight gloves – for walking uphill in warm conditions

  • Warm gloves – 2 pairs (mittens are optional but recommended if you get cold hands)

  • Hand warmers if you get cold hands

  • Warm toque for skiing down

  • Lightweight toque for walking up

  • Balaclava or neck tube – essential for cold conditions

  • Sun hat

optional snow study equipment

  • Digital thermometer (optional)

  • Four metres of cord, 3 to 5 mm in diameter (optional)

  • Inclinometer. Some compasses have an inclinometer as does an iPhone in the stock “Measure” app (optional)

  • Snow saw (optional)

OPTIONAL SAFETY GEAR

  • Ski helmet

  • Avalung

  • Airbag pack

each instructor will provide:

  • Group first aid kit

  • Group repair kit

  • Emergency toboggan/shelter

  • Radio

  • GPS, compass, map etc

  • Good looks and bright personalities!

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