Courses
AST 1
Big Bend Backcountry will be a proud provider of Avalanche Canada AST 1 & 2 courses for the 2026/2027 season. New to backcountry skiing? Wanting to brush up on long lost skills? Come learn with us! We will set you off in the right direction to safely get yourself out and back from those secret stashes. This is the first step in formal recreational avalanche training in Canada.
This is a two day course focusing on Companion Rescue, Terrain Assessment, Good Travel Techniques and Snowpack Observations. Many providers only do 1 day in the field, we here at Big Bend Backcountry feel you can learn more by taking the time in the field, so both days of our AST 1 course are spent in the terrain, with small ratios and more time we are trying to set you up for success. There will be an online learning component to look through before the field days.
All instructors will be ACMG Ski Guides.
With a maximum ratio of 6:1 you can guarantee instructor attention and maximize learning. Minimum 4 people needed to run course
Students should be prepared to be out all day for our field day and be confident in skiing black diamond skill hill runs, we wont do anything crazy steep but strong ability skiing / riding gives us options to get creative out there.
$375 per person + 5% GST
For Canadian guests e-transfer is preferred
An additional 2.7% fee for all Visa / online payments
plus 5% GST
AST 2
Taken AST 1 and wanting to expand your knowledge? AST 2 is to set you up for competent decision making in Avalanche Terrain. You must have taken an AST 1 or equivalent course. Be fit for skiing for 4 days in a row up to 10km and up to 1500m daily.
Students will choose objectives and lead the days, breaking trail, leading the descents and learning the whole way with the guidance of a Ski guide. Objectives can vary with group ability and conditions but we're here for that, we wont push you to go anywhere you don't feel comfortable and we wont allow you go anywhere out of our risk tolerance.
We will start with a refresher and update on anything related to Companion Rescue.
This is a 4 day course where your group will work together to put together good safe days of ski touring.
We have a maximum ratio of 4:1 for this course to get as much time in the front leading the way. We do however need 4 people to run this course.
All instructors will be certified ACMG Ski Guides.
775$ per person + 5% GST
For Canadian guests e-transfer is preferred
An additional 2.7% fee for all Visa / online payments
plust 5% GST
Glacial Travel
This is NOT only a Crevasse Rescue course but so much more. Being able to perform a rescue is important but we would prefer to teach you the skills to avoid using Crevasse Rescue Skills. We will cover Crevasse Rescue, discuss when and how to choose when to rope up ascending or descending and all the factors that go into that decision as well as good route finding in glaciated terrain.
This course can be custom tailored to your group but should be a minimum of two days. Day 1 will be spent working on rope systems - how to rope up, rappelling, snow anchors, mechanical advantage raising systems, and will discuss low stretch vs dynamic ropes.
Day 2 weather and hazard dependent will be spent up on the glaciers working on navigation and travel techniques.
450$ per person and a maximum of 6 students.
Minimum 4 people to run this course.
For Canadian guests e-transfer is preferred
An additional 2.7% fee for all Visa / online payments
plust 5% GST