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Avalanche Safety

December 6, 7, 8, 2013

 
Avalanche expert Brad Harrison leads this skills course teaching safe winter travel in the backcountry.  Participants will receive “AST Level 1” certification, which is recognized by the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC).

Who Should Take This Course?

Snowmobilers, skiers, snowshoers, search-and-rescue volunteers, and outdoor leaders.  No previous avalanche training experience is required for the AST 1 course.

Course Content:

The Canadian Avalanche Centre “Avalanche Skills Training” (AST 1) course is a comprehensive program combining classroom instruction and 2 days of field activity, for a total of 19 hours of direct instruction.
 
The course focuses on understanding, recognizing & avoiding avalanche hazards. AST 1 will focus on terrain recognition, basic snow pack structure, weather, safe route finding & avalanche rescue techniques.

Itinerary:

Friday, December 6th
 
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM – Introductory classroom session at UFV Campus in Hope
                                       1250 7th Ave. (see map/itinerary under Additional Info)
 
Saturday, December 7th
 
  8:00 AM – Classroom session at UFV Campus in Hope (see map)
12:00 PM (approx.) - Depart for field-based activity at Allison Pass
  5:00 PM – Back in Hope
 
Sunday, December 8th
 
  9:00 AM – Meet at Coquihalla toll booth for field-based activity at
                    Coqhihalla Summit
  3:30 PM – Leave Coquihalla toll booth for home

Pricing:

TBA per person.  Snowshoes are also available for $10.00 weekend rental.
 
Price Includes
*  19 hrs of direct instruction
*  6:1 student / instructor ratio (maximum)
*  All Manuals as required by the CAC, including the Avaluator
*  Industry-recognized certificate of completion
*  Use of safety equipment, including; shovel, probe, and transceiver

Register Now!

You can pay by credit card via this Web site (click the “Register Now” button) or by mailing us a cheque.  If you mail us a cheque, please use our online registration system to hold a spot.  Contact us at 604-869-1274 or by email at info@hopemountain.org if you need more information.

Trip Leader:

Brad has extensive experience traveling and working in the backcountry.  He is a professional member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and currently works as the coordinator for the Canadian Mountain and Ski Guide program at Thompson Rivers University.  For over 20 years, Brad previously owned and operated Golden Alpine Holidays, a group of 3 backcountry lodges located in the Columbia Mountains.  He is significantly involved in avalanche training, working both on the professional level courses for the CAA as well as the AST program for the CAC.

Meeting Place:

Hope campus, University of the Fraser Valley (UFV)
1250 7th Avenue, Hope, BC   V0X 1L4

Transportation:

Participants must get to Hope with their own vehicles and travel to the field locations with their own vehicles (carpooling is encouraged).  Field locations are accessible via paved highways.

Accommodation:

Participants may wish to stay in Hope on Friday and Saturday night, and enjoy our local restaurants, cafes, and movie theatre.

You'll find a great selection of motels and B&Bs at http://www.hopebc.ca/stay.html

What to Bring:

* Lunch and high-energy snack food for Saturday and Sunday
* Water (at least 1 litre per person) for each day
* Skis or snowshoes for field activity (we can provide snowshoes if needed)
* Warm winter clothes
* If you have an iPhone, bring it and Brad will show you how to access public avalanche bulletins.

Cancellations:

If a registration is cancelled 14 days or more before a program starts, HMCOL will refund the program fee and equipment rental fees (as applicable) minus an administrative cost of $20 per person.  Program and equipment rental fees will not be refunded if a cancellation is received less than 14 days before the start of a program.  A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL.  If a program is cancelled, participants will receive a full refund of program and equipment fees.

A note about liability:

Hope Mountain Centre carries liability insurance and maintains excellent safety records.  Due to the nature of outdoor programs, these trips do involve some personal risk.  Hope Mountain Centre assumes no responsibility for personal injury or damage to personal property and we will require each participant to sign a liability release and assumption of risk form before participating in this program.

Please be aware that activities typical of this program involve many risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from events; slips and falls; loss of balance; impact, cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia, frostbite, sunburn; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, blizzards, whiteouts and high wind; steepness of terrain, tree wells, crevasses; avalanches, cornices, landslides and falling ice, snow and objects; encounters with domestic or wild animals; negligence on the part of releasees and other participants.

While we love animals of all kinds, we ask that you please leave Fido at home.

Reserve a spot now by registering through this website, or call us at 604-869-1274 or by email at info@hopemountain.org for more information.

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