Avalanche Courses

I would like to inform everyone that if you ever have a chance to take the two day level one training do it. I was in an avalanche on the weekend, was right in the middle of it, and managed to pull my ABS then rode it out. This was the most terrifying moment of my life. There was another person involved who unfortunatly didn't make it. I kicked in to gear when I got to the bottom and every thing I learned I put to use, And it works. Without the course I would of been totally lost and wouldn't know where to start. Thanks Lori and Randy for all you taught me, you two made a difference with your course, even though my buddy past, we had him out between 5-8 minutes, and other factors where his demise. You need to take both courses not just the classroom, the classroom is long and may be a bit boring to some people but the field is totally awsome and the knowledge you get from this will save a life someday.

Boring! Arg, Ron that got me right in the heart! Just kidding! :d
Yes, there is a lot of info delivered in the classroom and it is totally true that it is the hands-on field session that brings everything together. People are often surprised at how much learning is packed into this 2 day course.

With this crazy snowpack this season, it is a good year to invest the time to learn about why timing is so important. I am getting a lot of questions right now about 'where should I ride to stay safe'? While this is a great question, it is hard to answer.

Avalanche safety is all about timing. The Weather is the Architect and each year and in each mountain range the Blueprint (or the layering) in the snowpack is different. It is up to us as riders to get this info. Avy training will help you locate reliable sources of info and help you to gather some of this info with your own hands and to make key observations while riding. In order to make better choices about WHERE to ride and WHEN to ride we need to understand more about WHAT type of instabilities are present in the snowpack that WE ARE IN and TO WHAT EXTENT the forecasted and current weather conditions will/are affect(ing) the weaknesses present.

In some snowpack situations a warm day can be a stabilizing factor, in other snowpacks a warm day can create wet, naturally triggered slides everywhere. (CLICK HERE to take a look at the SnowandMud thread "March Conditions" for some incredible pictures of large wet avalanches that run wide and far on the weekend of March 20-21. Very destructive.)

Learn more about why snow fails and what type of terrain is easier to trigger slides and what types of terrain are unsurvivable. This will help you see how many options are out there to PICK AND CHOOSE. Terrain choices are key to minimizing exposure to avalanche risks.

The CAC Public Avalanche Bulletin is an awesome resource, but it is up to us to apply the Forecasters predictions to specific slopes that we plan to access. ...take the Forecast and create a NOWCAST.

Randy & I are in Chetwynd this weekend for an AST1 class. Hats off to the boys & girls from Manning, Rycroft, High Prairie and Dawson Creek that pulled together their riding groups for this program. I'll be sure to introduce a little dance number to keep the group from getting too bored. Thanks Ron.

April Avy Classes - Valemount & Golden

New questions that I received today:
Why is our snowpack so dangerous this year? Some people are advising me to put the sled away for this season. Is that really the best thing or can I still ride hard without getting caught?

Here is another blog to check out...


Classroom session - Saturday, April 18
Field sessions - Choose ONE field day
Sunday, April 19
Monday, April 20


Classroom session - Saturday, April 25
Field sessions - Choose ONE field day
Sunday, April 26
Monday, April 27

Zacs said:

Boring! Arg, Ron that got me right in the heart! Just kidding! :d

Click to expand...

lol, Not Boring for me , its was very imformative. I seen a couple people that were dozing off, but mabie they were like that in school, hopefully they show up for the mountain course and get the training they need. :d

This course is the best thing I have taken and will possibly take the level 2 next season. When faced with the situation you will shine, and everything I learned was put to use that day. Again You made a difference in my life.

What is the difference between a level 1 and a level 2?

Best money spent in my opinion.

I took the course last season, and it opens your eyes as to what you don't know.

Ron, if you have a Snow and Mud group AST-II group booking, I am totally into enrolling.

As for the difference between the AST-I and AST-II... I believe they dig deeper into the fundamentals of avalanche behavior, the field study is quite extensive.. 4 days instead of 1. I am sure Lori can explain this better than me.

CUSO

For sure!
We took the AST 1 this season and plan to take the AST 2 next season!
Best $350 i have ever spent!

Go for it!
I could save a life the next time you go out riding!

does any one know where i could take one around calgary??

powder dreams said:

does any one know where i could take one around calgary??

Click to expand...

zacs tracs or university of calgary, but probably not much chance of any more courses now till the snow falls again!

Hello,
Does anyone know if Lloyldminster Alberta has a Alvanche training courses

powder dreams said:

does any one know where i could take one around calgary??

Click to expand...

Yep, Zac's Tracs runs courses throughout western Canada. Check out our tentative schedule at www.zacstracs.com

I don't have the all the Calgary courses listed yet. I expect to run at least 3 during the season.

To stay in touch, sign up to our newsletter HERE

mod600IQ said:

Hello,
Does anyone know if Lloyldminster Alberta has a Alvanche training courses

Click to expand...

Have trailer....will travel!

How many sledders do you think that we could round up in Lloydminster? It is certainly possible for Nov 30/Dec 1.

Whaddya think?

powder dreams said:

does any one know where i could take one around calgary??

Click to expand...

we operate and run AST 1 courses out of Golden, BC.

HangFire Training | Avalanche Training For Sledders | Golden BC

mod600IQ said:

Hello,
Does anyone know if Lloydminster Alberta has a Avalanche training courses

Click to expand...

Here are a few options...hopefully one works!

AST 1 classroom session (8.5hrs) at Saskatoon, SK on Nov 29
Rescue Workshop (3 hrs) at Saskatoon, SK on Nov 29


CAC Avy Awareness Seminar & Beacon intro (3 hrs) at Wainwright on Dec 3


AST 1 classroom session (8.5hrs) at Vegreville on Dec 5



Maybe you can gather up a few guys and make a road trip out of it! :d