AST 2 Course Information Package

If you landed on this page from a Google search here is an overview of our AST 2 courses, or read on for a detailed description.

If you have already signed up for a course please read this information package carefully. It should answer all your questions but if not you can contact me.

Course participants NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

vaccination

Vaccination for Covid is not required at this time. This may change depending on the local Covid situation at the time of the course.

Your Instructors

The lead instructor is Mark Klassen. I have been working as a ski patroller, guide and avalanche forecaster since the mid 80's and am an ACMG/IFMGA certified Mountain guide. 

Additional instructors will be present for classes with large enrolments. We add a second instructor for groups of 9 or more. Maximum group size is 12. Maximum group size for 2022 will be 8.

Important Dates and Times (Mountain Standard Time)

If you are uncertain whether this is a Town of Banff organized course please ask.

Town of Banff BanffLife or MountainLife courses: Fenlands Recreation Centre.

8.30 AM Day 1: Classroom session.

7 AM Day 2: Meet at the Fenlands in Banff. The field day will be held on Highway 93 North in the Crowfoot Trees area. Final logistics will be discussed on Day 1.

7 AM, Days 3 & 4: Meet at Fenlands, field sessions are held in various locations in the Rockies.

For all other courses: Great Room, YWCA, Banff. Google Maps location.

8.30 AM Day 1: Classroom session.

8 AM Day 2: Meet in Lake Louise. The field day will be held on Highway 93 North in the Crowfoot Trees area. Final logistics will be discussed on Day 1.

8 AM, Days 3 & 4: Field sessions are held in Rogers Pass or the Rockies, depending on which course you have signed up for.

Meeting place for field days will be organized closer to the time of your course. We may be inside or outside for our morning meeting. Please be prepared to stand outside for an hour as we go through a pre-trip briefing. Warm clothes and boots are essential!

Course Itinerary

Day 1: Topics to be covered include:

  • Avalanche types and sizing

  • Mountain snowpack

  • Understanding avalanche bulletins

  • Decision making

  • Terrain evaluation

Day 2: Field day, usually in the Crowfoot Trees area. We will start the day with a group meeting to review weather and avalanche information. Then apply that to terrain and decide what terrain we are able to expose ourselves to. In the field we will discuss snowpack and terrain and have a look at snow layering. We will not travel very far on this day, it will be more observation and learning based.

If the final field days are to be held in Rogers Pass we will move to Golden in the evening. For Town of Banff BanffLife or MountainLife courses we remain in the Rockies.

Days 3 and 4: Each morning will start with a group meeting where students will come in having done some preparation the night before. Each day we will attempt longer and more involved trips than the day before (conditions permitting). Emphasis will be on using terrain to lower risk. Be prepared to spend evenings doing trip planning and perhaps having group discussions.

Possible Trips

  • Rockies: Crowfoot Trees, Observation Peak, Bow Summit area, Helen Shoulder, Crystal Ridge, Emerald Lake slide path, Chickadee Valley, etc

  • Rogers Pass: Balu Pass, Ursus Trees, Illecillewaet Valley, Lookout Col, Asulkan Valley, Bonney Moraines/Trees, etc.

Possible Itinerary Changes

There is always the possibility of having to change this itinerary due to weather or snow conditions.  

Pre-Course Preparation

Before the course please do the following:

  • Read as much as you can from a technical book such as Bruce Tremper's Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain. You need to understand how the faceting and rounding processes work within the snowpack, and how surface hoar is formed. If you do not do this you will fall behind in your understanding of the concepts I will present.

  • Keep track of what the weather is doing the week previous to the course. Avalanche Canada has a good weather resource here.

  • Keep track of the avalanche bulletins for Banff National Park and Glacier National Park for at least a week before the course. Use the glossary available on those bulletin pages to understand the different terms that are used.

  • Have a look at the Mountain Information Network and ACMG Mountain Condition Reports.

  • Good touring information for Banff can be found here and for Glacier find it here.

Places to Stay

There are many hotels and hostels to stay at in both the Banff/Canmore area. For inexpensive accommodation I suggest:

  • Alpine Club of Canada Clubhouse (Canmore)

  • HI-Banff Alpine Centre (hostel)

  • YWCA (Banff)

  • Same Sun Hostel (Banff)

Some courses the morning meeting place on the field days will be Lake Louise. If so staying in Lake Louise is an option. Please ask if it is appropriate to stay in Lake Louise:

  • HI-Lake Louise Alpine Centre (hostel)

Safety in the Field

Safety is our first priority. There are a variety of ways you can help make this a safe trip for all of us:

  • Listen to the instructor's instructions and if you are uncertain of what is expected of you please ask

  • Take the online avalanche course at the Avalanche Canada website.

  • Practice with your avalanche transceiver before the trip. Make sure it both transmits and receives at least 30 m away. Understand all its functions and how to use them.

  • We will be able to communicate with each other and outside agencies with cell phones, radios and my SPOT device.

Risk

It is important to understand that no matter how well prepared we are there is still an element of risk to backcountry skiing. To lower your risk do the prep work I’ve outlined in the safety section above. You can have a large impact in regards to your own safety!

Mountain Rescue and Rescue Insurance

I  nearly thirty years of guiding I have only had two guest evacuations from the field for minor injuries and one for a medical condition. The probability that we will need a rescue are low.

The plan is to operate in the national parks where mountain rescue is provided free of charge if you have a valid vehicle permit when you enter the park.

Medical Issues

If you have any pertinent medical issues that I should know about, please make sure you include that when you fill in the guest information form.

Remember, YOU NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

  • Click here to read and understand the guide waiver. You will need to sign this waiver at the beginning of the trip. It is important that you understand it before you arrive. You will also need to sign a second, similar waiver for Avalanche Canada.

  • Have a look at the gear list and make sure you are able to bring everything on the list.

  • Let me know if you need me to provide any equipment for you.

Questions?

Email me