5 Places For Your AST This Winter

Looking to get into the Rocky Mountain backcountry this winter on your new skis or splitboard? Want a refresher on some knowledge that you may have forgotten over the summer? Good call! We’ve written a somewhat comprehensive guide to help you find the education you’ll need before setting out! 

Travelling into the Backcountry carries risk, risk that can be mitigated with the proper tools and education. Here at Paradise, we encourage everyone to go through their Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course before heading out. The earlier you get your courses done the more season of backcountry shredding you can have. Last season, we were out as early as October 17th - so it’s time to start booking! 

Avalanche Safety Training Courses in Alberta

So let's dive into it, here are five solid options for where you can do your AST1 course this year: 

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures 
Classroom Location: Calgary & Canmore. Online classes available
Field Location: Bow Summit, Kananaskis Country, or Banff National Park
First Available Dates: November 13th & 14th 
Duration: 2 days (with an optional “Plus Day”)
Cost: $250.00 

Yamnuska has multiple online & offline training courses available and can offer special group bookings in both Alberta and British Columbia. They also offer an option “Plus Day” where you can practice your newly learned skills. Please check out their website for more information. 

University of Calgary 
Classroom Location: Online
Field Location: Kananaskis Country or Banff National Park 
First Available Dates: November 11th & 13th 
Duration: 2 days
Cost: $250.00

Many of their instructors and guides offer individual lessons and private guided trips; their courses can be customized based on your needs. Please contact theU of C Outdoor Centre for more information.

Alpine Air Adventures 
Classroom Location: Online
Field Location: Bow Summit or Vermillion Pass 
First Available Dates: November 3rd & 6th 
Duration: 2 Days
Cost: $230.00

If you have an interested group, contact the AAA office to discuss further options. 

Cloud Nine Guides
Classroom Location: Online
Field Location: Lake Louise or Bow Summit
First Available Dates: November 13th 
Duration: 2 days
Cost: $225.00

Private Groups (minimum of 4 participants) are available. In-person classroom sessions are also available for private groups if the group has been quarantined or is a cohort. Contact Cloud Nine for more info. 

Explore-Share
Classroom Location: Winsport, Calgary, or Ptarmigan Inn in Banff. Online classes are also available.
Field Location: Bow Summit or Vermilion Pass
First Available Dates:
Duration: 2 days
Cost: $238.00

Contact the guide on their website for any further information about what Explore-Share can offer. 

Paradise Skis does not work with or have relationships with any of these organizations - although we’d love to! There are multiple other options around Alberta and BC for you to do your AST1 course through. Ensure you do your due diligence when looking into the history and qualifications of your AST course provider.