Progression Guide

This page is here to guide you through your education in decision making in avalanche terrain.

View the progression guide & course descriptions below, then head over to our book now page.

For inquiries on other courses or for group booking and availability - email alpinewalrustraining@gmail.com

Book Now

Start with an AST 1 to get the basics and to begin exploring in the backcountry. Following your course, try to gain knowledge and experience through informal learning:

  • Mentorship from others

  • Guided Trips

  • Progressing slowly from simple terrain to challenging terrain as you gain knowledge and experience

  • Head over to the Avalanche Canada site and check out the Education and Avvy Savvy sections

Supplement the informal learning with additional courses as needed along the way. A refresher or companion rescue course is a good idea if it’s been a few years since taking an AST 1. Particularly if you don’t get out often or haven’t had a chance to practice the skills. These courses are also a great way to sharpen your skills if you don’t plan to take an AST 2.

  • Backcountry Refresher

  • Companion Rescue Skills (CRS)

  • Managing Avalanche Terrain (MAT)

If you’re interested in an AST 2, we strongly recommend at least 20-30 days (and at least one season) in the backcountry. It’s important that you’ve developed some of the basic decision making and route planning skills, have used the Avalanche Canada forecast regularly, have good fitness, and are proficient with your gear to get the most out of the AST 2.

If you have any questions about what to do next to progress your skills, send us an email, we’re happy to help! alpinewalrustraining@gmail.com

  • Do you venture out of bounds, off the trails, or into the backcountry? An AST 1 is your place to start. You don't need any experience to take this course, but it is a must for everyone recreating in the backcountry.

    In the AST 1, you’ll learn:

    • Avalanche formation and release.

    • How to identify avalanche terrain.

    • The basics of trip planning.

    • How to use the avalanche forecast to mitigate your avalanche risk.

    • Using appropriate travel techniques in avalanche terrain.

    • Intro to companion rescue.

    The standard AST 1 is a single field day with an online classroom component, but our course includes two field days to ensure you’re getting additional training in:

    • Additional companion rescue scenarios

    • Intro to touring (learn to use your gear and skinning techniques)

    • Intro to snow science (dig your own pit and perform your own tests)

    • Time dedicated to route selection and taking turns route finding & leading the group

    If you’re spending time in the backcountry, everyone in your group should take an AST 1 — it’s the first step to travelling safely in the backcountry.

  • Have your AST 1 but could use a little refresh or want to sharpen your skills? This course is for you.

    The AST 1 Refresher is aimed at individuals who have completed an AST 1 and are looking to refresh their skills and knowledge. This one day, field-based course provides a review of the material covered in the AST 1 and includes any industry updates to the curriculum. The course is ideal for those who want to keep their basic avalanche training skills up-to-date or those who simply desire a refresher day in the field with an instructor.

    What you will learn:

    • A refresh of the AST 1 curriculum.

    • Refreshing and practice of companion rescue skills.

    • Any updates to avalanche safety education or techniques.

    • How to use new AvCan tools or materials.

  • Hone your rescue skills. This course is a must-have for all winter backcountry recreationists.
    The Companion Rescue Skills course is an important refresher for those with previous training and a great way to improve the rescue skills you learned in your AST 1. This hands-on, one-day course takes place in the field.

    What you will learn:

    • How to respond safely and efficiently to an avalanche incident.

    • How to hone your transceiver skills

    • How to use your probe effectively

    • How to shovel. Learn to organize your group with the most efficient shovelling techniques.

    • Learn the best methods for finding a victim buried without a transceiver.

    • How to practice these skills

    Our CRS is currently by group booking only (min. 5 students). Email alpinewalrustraining@gmail.ca for availability.

  • Find your way! This course is for those who have taken AST 1 and are looking to improve their terrain assessment skills. If this sounds like you, Managing Avalanche Terrain (MAT) will be a valuable addition to your training.

    MAT is a very focused field-based course designed to expand on the terrain management taught in AST 1. This course will help you develop more advanced winter backcountry travel skills and mitigate your risk by honing your terrain evaluation and travel skills.


    What you will learn:

    • Skills to help you plan, prepare for, and execute a safe backcountry trip.

    • Techniques to minimize risk when travelling in the backcountry.

    • How to recognize and classify avalanche terrain.

    Our MAT course is currently by group booking only (min. 5 students). Email alpinewalrustraining@gmail.ca for availability.

  • AST 2 is the next step if you have taken your AST 1 and have gained some experience in the backcountry

    The AST 2 curriculum is built around the daily process, which emulates the same approach used by professionals. It expands on the foundations of your AST 1 and provides a more advanced decision-making framework for travelling in avalanche terrain. AST 2 comprises a minimum of 9.5 hours of classroom instruction with a minimum of three days in the field to put what you’ve learned into practice.

    What you will learn:

    • Progressive planning and travel techniques required to travel safely through various types of terrain using the daily process.

    • Getting the most from your avalanche forecast.

    • Key techniques for applying the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale to develop your own terrain ratings.

    • How to proficiently carry out a companion rescue.

    • Decision making skills to manage avalanche risk.

    • A deeper theoretical understanding of avalanche terrain and snowpack.

    Our AST 2 course is currently by group booking only (min. 4 students). Email alpinewalrustraining@gmail.ca for availability.