Avalanche Skills Training
Oberson x Avalanches Québec
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Why take avalanche skills training?
Just because you mainly ski in the Laurentians doesn’t mean avalanche skills training isn’t relevant. In fact, anyone who engages in winter mountain sports—backcountry cross-country skiing, ice climbing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing and snowboarding, and even snowmobiling—should be trained to better understand their playground: the mountains. This understanding makes for better decisions in the field and safer travel.
The various avalanche skills courses also allow you to learn how to properly use avalanche safety equipment, such as shovels and avalanche rescue beacons and how to read avalanche bulletins issued by Avalanche Québec.
Furthermore, if you’re planning to go on unguided mountain adventures on the Gaspé Peninsula or in Western Canada or Europe, avalanche skills training is essential.
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Benefits of Taking an Avalanche Skills Training
- Understand and know how to use avalanche safety equipment
- Know how to interpret the avalanche bulletins issued by Avalanche Québec and Avalanche Canada
- Understand the field’s lingo
- Learn mountain travel techniques at different levels depending on the course
- Learn avalanche rescue basics
- Effectively read terrain and make sound decisions
- Recognize the warning signs of an avalanche
If you’re interested in winter travel and prepping for a trip in avalanche terrain, check out our article Navigating Avalanche Terrain: Are You Ready?.
Where can I take an avalanche skills training?
Courses are offered in various regions of Quebec, including the Eastern Townships, the Laurentians, Quebec City and the Gaspé Peninsula. The advanced Avalanche Skills Training (AST 2) is mainly offered on the Gaspé Peninsula due to the availability of training in the field. Some providers south of the province in the United States offer it.
Several companies, such as Ski Chic-Chocs, Expé Aventure and Attitude Montagne, offer the various avalanche skills trainings. For more info, contact Avalanche Québec.
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Introduction to Avalanche Skills Training (AST 1)
This introductory course is ideal for learning about companion rescue techniques and avalanche safety gear. In addition, this avalanche training allows you to develop the ability to analyze terrain and make safe decisions for travel, mainly on uphill trails. It provides a framework for reacting to an avalanche and performing a companion rescue.
The introduction to Avalanche Skills Training (AST 1) is the first step in your progression in avalanche terrain. Once you’ve passed it, it’s important to put your knowledge into practice. It’s a plus to have taken it, but it’s even better to master the concepts in the field.
Course length: 2 full days (theoretical and practice in the field)
Who should take AST 1? Winter sports enthusiasts with little experience and knowledge of avalanche terrain. The course is designed for those who want to learn about avalanche safety techniques and tools.
Prerequisite course: None
From $ 250.00
Companion Rescue Skills Course (CR)
This brief course allows you to go over and review companion rescue techniques. This 100% hands-on course takes place over a single day and provides the framework and tools to react in an avalanche situation.
Plus, if you have an AST 1 course and want to refresh your knowledge before a trip, the companion rescue course is ideal.
Course length: 1 day (100% hands-on)
Who should take the Companion Rescue (CR) course? Winter sports enthusiasts with little experience and knowledge of companion rescue in avalanche situations. This course is also intended for AST 1 trained practitioners who want to review what they’ve previously learned and improve their companion rescue techniques.
Prerequisite course: None
From $ 120.00
Managing Avalanche Terrain (MAT)
This one-day training focuses on travelling in avalanche terrain. This short course helps you develop the knowledge to plan and travel safely in avalanche terrain. It’s a great introduction to AST 2 for those who have completed AST 1.
Course length: 1 day (100% practice in the field)
Who should take the Managing Avalanche Terrain (MAT) course? Winter sports enthusiasts with little experience and knowledge of companion rescue in avalanche situations. This course is also intended for AST 1 trained practitioners who wish to refresh their knowledge and improve their companion rescue techniques.
Course Prerequisites: AST 1
From $ 125.00
Advanced Avalanche Skills Training (AST 2)
This avalanche skills training provides instruction on more advanced techniques to develop a framework for making decisions in avalanche terrain. It focuses on mountain travel and planning, primarily off uphill trails.
The advanced Avalanche Skills Training (AST 2) allows participants to develop an ability to analyze the terrain and snow cover to make the right decisions for safe travel.
Course length: 2 days (theoretical and mainly hands-on in the field)
Who should take AST 2? Winter sports enthusiasts with an intermediate knowledge of avalanche terrain and experience in the field. This course is for those who wish to self-guide and do so safely and wisely. It’s also an essential course for enthusiasts who want to travel and navigate higher peaks.
Course Prerequisites: AST 1 + enough experience in avalanche terrain—at least one season.
From $ 560.00
Online tutorials on avalanche safety techniques
Are you interested in avalanche safety? Avalanche Canada has developed a few online tutorials to hone your knowledge. Additionally, if you’ve already taken one of the avalanche skills trainings, these tutorials can be used to keep up on your knowledge. Check out the Avy Savvy platform to test your knowledge.
