AST – Avalanche Skills Training
BC-Intro, AST1, AST2, CRS
Get AST – Avalanche Skills Training to travel safer in the Japan backcountry. Understand planning & adjusting trips, knowing terrain conditions and be able to perform transceiver search & rescue.
AST LITE – Backcountry Introduction & Snow Safety
Beginner’s side-backcountry safety course – A soft introduction and learning day tour to experience backcountry touring, learn the basics, safety and help progress your off-piste skills.
IMPORTANT: *This is not a learn to ride powder tour* – You need to have experience in riding off-piste and we will help you develop your technique on the tour.
BC INTRO 1 + 2 / 1 day each
Specially developed to be accessible for anyone interested in giving ski/snowboard touring a go – learn on the snow with us and take the pressure off joining to keep up with more advanced crew.
Consider it a Q+A training and tour divided in to 2 progressive levels:
BCL1 – first timers introduction to off-piste BC touring, getting used to skiing/riding off-piste in deep powder & learn to use avi safety gear
BCL2 – for those that have toured, can ski off-piste confidently, however still feel out of their depth with whats going on & want more 1-on-1 time
This is a certified course run by trained experts under the Avalanche Canada organisation
Dates & Price
Avalanche Skills Training Courses:
We are running (AST) Avalanche Skills Training courses around many locations in Japan – please check our calendar for a course that suits you best. Or make an enquiry if you are interested in organising a group course at your location.
AST 1+ / 2 days
Join our AST1+ trainings taking place across Hakuba, Myoko, Yuzawa, Iwate and more.
Who is this course for?
Anyone who is spending time in back or side country, out of bounds, off resort and touring – but doesn’t yet have avalanche skills training – it is a MUST! Of course anyone interested in learning more skills and venturing into potential avalanche terrain, whether for ski, snowboard, snowshoe, alpine hikers.
This is a certified course run by trained experts under the Avalanche Canada organisation
Dates & Price
AST1+ Hakuba Jan 17-18
AST1+ Hakuba Jan 17-18 Japan Avalanche Skills Training 1 'AST1', before stepping into avalanche terrain – back or side country, take this course!
AST1+ Myoko Akakura Feb 2-3
AST1+ Myoko Akakura Feb 2-3 Japan Avalanche Skills Training, is a first step for anyone interested to or already stepping into avalanche terrain
AST1+ Hakuba Feb 7-8
AST1+ Hakuba Feb 7-8 Japan Avalanche Skills Training, is a first step for anyone interested to or already stepping into avalanche terrain
AST1+ Nozawa Onsen Feb 28-Mar 01
AST1+ Nozawa Onsen Feb 28-Mar 01 Japan Avalanche Skills Training, is a first step for anyone interested to or already stepping into avalanche terrain
AST1+ Myoko Akakura Mar 3-4
AST1+ Myoko Akakura Mar 3-4 Japan Avalanche Skills Training, is a first step for anyone interested to or already stepping into avalanche terrain
LADIES AST1+ Hakuba Mar 7-8 - International Women's Day!
LADIES AST1+ Hakuba Mar 7-8 Japan's only AST1 Hybrid course with 2 days in field and tour training to learn essential avalanche training skills
AST1+ Hakuba Mar 14-15
AST1+ Hakuba Mar 14-15 Japan avalanche training only AST1 Hybrid course with 2 days in field and tour training to learn essential avalanche training skills
By the end of this course you will:
- Know your touring gear and make efficient use of it
- Know your avalanche safety kit and have a first practice with it
- Know how to efficiently transfer between downhill and uphill travel
- Identify avalanche risk areas
- Understand the basic structures of the snowpack
- Know the steps required to plan and conduct a tour
- Use the ‘Avaluator™’ as a risk mitigation aid
- Understand the Avalanche Bulletin and define a hazard rating in regions where there is none
Note: If you have a group of 4 or more interested for training we are able to schedule date and time of convenience – please contact us directly in regards
Must be able to ski or snowboard competently with prior experience riding ‘un-groomed’ terrain or powder runs off-piste.
Should be in reasonable condition of fitness for touring on backcountry day and though snowshoes are permitted, ideally for the swiftness of group to have your own or rent touring gear.
If you do not have transceiver, probe and shovel – it is required, for rental information please see below.
- Day 01: AST1 theory and skills day – use of equipment, search and locate burial field day 8am-3pm
- Day 02: AST1+ Touring – Backcountry tour day 8am-3pm
- Avalanche equipment – beacon, shovel, probe (mandatory)
- At least a 25L pack with straps which can carry ski/board (unless you are a skier or split-boarder using skins)
- Skins or snowshoes (mandatory)
- Lunch, drinks and at least 1L water (mandatory)
- Energy bars/chocolate/nuts etc (mandatory)
- Layering for warmth, wicking & ventilation (mandatory)
- Sunglasses (even if it is not sunny!) When you are hiking sunglasses are more comfortable to protect your eyes because they will not fog up. You can keep your goggles in your pack for the ski down.
- Helmet (recommended)
- A pair of lightweight gloves or glove liners for hiking (recommended)
AST 2 / 4 days
An AST 2 course is suitable for people with a moderate degree of training and experience and who have taken an AST 1 course. An AST 2 course builds on the foundations of your AST 1, and provides an intermediate decision-making framework for travelling in avalanche terrain. An AST 2 course comprises a minimum of 9.5 hours of classroom instruction with a minimum of three days in the field. The course is suitable for people with a moderate degree of training and experience.
This is a certified course run by trained experts under the Avalanche Canada organisation
Dates
AST2 Feb 23-26 Hakuba
AST2 Feb 20-23 Hakuba Our AST2 is carefully designed as a comprehensive knowledge, skills & experiential course that engages our students to learn in detail all factors of daily BC touring
AST2 Mar 16-20 YUZAWA
AST2 Mar 16-20 YUZAWA Our AST2 is carefully designed as a comprehensive knowledge, skills & experiential course that engages our students to learn in detail all factors of daily BC touring
Advance your backcountry skills, safety and group leaadership in every way while you partake in this customised in-depth 4 day avalanche training. There will be a mix of theory and field training combined with tours throught out the 4 days, the areas to tour will be decided prior to each day.
By the end of this course you will:
- Use the Avaluator to determine the additional planning and travel techniques needed to travel safely in avalanche terrain
- Be able to do a personal review of the avalanche danger rating at a local level
- Efficiently identify avalanche terrain using the ATES (Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale) and use it to develop personal ratings on a small scale
- Develop a selection of itineraries and use the terrain to your advantage to adapt your risks
- Use mountain travel techniques appropriate to avalanche conditions
- Lead an autonomous companion rescue effectively
- Understand the limits of your training.
Who is it for : riders who go out regularly and wish to lead their own trips
It is essential that you have completed your AST 1 or equivelant certification, it is recommended to have a season of touring after obtaining your AST1 prior to sitting AST2.
This course requires strong fitness to gain 1000m elevation over multiple days. You should be comfortable and used to backcountry tours and head out several times a season. Equally your skiing and riding should be of a intermediate to advanced level in off-piste.
It is helpful to review and refresh your AST1 training materials and be sure you are clear and familiar with the terms and techniques taught.
- Training over 4 days will typically run between the hours of 08:30 to 16:30, this will sometimes run over or start earlier depending on the days training, weather conditions and progress of the group
- Over 4 days you will attend a series of class and theory sessions, combined with progressive outdoors field training and drills
- Each day more knowledge theory will be sprinkled onto the training with then practical application in the field
- Expect at least 2-3 significant tours during the training building to a final fully planned trip
- Avalanche equipment – beacon, shovel, probe (mandatory)
- At least a 25L pack with straps which can carry ski/board (unless you are a skier or split-boarder using skins)
- Skins or snowshoes (mandatory)
- Lunch, drinks and at least 1L water (mandatory)
- Energy bars/chocolate/nuts etc (mandatory)
- Layering for warmth, wicking & ventilation (mandatory)
- Sunglasses (even if it is not sunny!) When you are hiking sunglasses are more comfortable to protect your eyes because they will not fog up. You can keep your goggles in your pack for the ski down.
- Helmet (recommended)
- A pair of lightweight gloves or glove liners for hiking (recommended)
If you are needing any rental equipment, please let us know.