Have some questions about AST & BC Intro Courses?
If you are interested in more information, are a company wanting to run a private training, wish to request new course dates & location – please leave an enquiry and we will get back to you.
Class Schedule
AST – Avalanche Skills Training, Backcountry Introduction, Companion Rescue & First Aid Workshops
Get snow and avalanche survival skills for safer backcountry travel with a specific focus in Japan terrain and conditions.
From learning to use your avalanche gear and perform rescues to planning your trips and understanding conditions.
All courses are certified by Avalanche Canada.
Available Courses:
AST1+ Avalanche Skills Training
2-days (+Hybrid Online Theory), Skills Training, Backcountry Travel, Planning & Avalanche Safety Course
Avalanche Skills Training 1 'AST1', is the first step for anyone interested to or already stepping into potential avalanche terrain – back or side country, out of bounds, off resort and touring. If you don't have avalanche skills training – it is a MUST!
With JOI, complete your online theory modules starting 1 week prior to the course and join our online session for question / answer and any planning to make sure you are ready!
Walking in to the field training you will have a fresh knowledge of avalanche factors, avalanche terrain & terminology, trip planning & reading avalanche/weather reports and an idea of human factors, group travel and risk mitigation. Maximising your 2 days field training (see below).
Course Duration: 2 Days
Course Fee: ¥45,000
Course Equipment: Touring Skis / Splitboard / Snowshoes & avalanche kit
Please Note: Rental packages available on booking course for touring gear & avalanche sets
Pre-Requisites: Competent skiing off-piste and progressing into BC touring*
Progression: Level up to AST2 - Advanced Avalanche Skills Training / 4 days
Field Training:
Day 01: With your in-person field training, understand your tools – using your avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel to perform a companion rescue and importantly information to make educated decisions.
Day 02: Finally our AST1+ component offers further invaluable detailed trip planning and learning directly from our avalanche expert guides during a full day tour in backcountry terrain.
*Please read the pre-requisite tab clearly for understanding that without competency reached your instructor may remove you from the course for safety reasons
AST Lite – Backcountry Introduction Training
1-day Beginner's off-piste, side/backcountry safety day
A soft introduction and learning day tour to experience backcountry touring, learn the basics, safety and help progress your off-piste skills.
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:
BCI1 – first timers introduction to off-piste BC touring, getting used to skiing/riding off-piste in deep powder & learn to use avi safety gear
BCI2 – 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
Course Duration: 1 Day
Course Fee: ¥25,000
Course Equipment: Touring Skis / Splitboard / Snowshoes & Avalanche Kit *Rental package available
Pre-Requisites: Competent skiing/riding on-piste (not for beginners)
Progression: Next level up to AST1+ Avalanche Skills Training / 2 days
AST2 - Avalanche Skills Training
4-days Advanced backcountry skills focus course
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 in avalanche terrain. From trip planning, observational information, in-field testing, terrain navigation, decision making, advanced search+rescue skills and ever important – the human factor.
If you are frequently backcountry touring, want to be confident in planning trips and making decisions as a group leader – then AST2 is for you. Where AST1 is compared to learning with training wheels, after completing your AST2 training you truly have the book to the backcountry.
Course Duration: 4 Days
Course Fee: ¥80,000
Course Equipment: (Rental sets available upon booking)
- Touring Skis / Splitboard / Snowshoes
- Avalanche kit (Transceiver, Probe, Shovel, pack)
- Personal First Aid kit
Pre-Requisites: Advanced skiing / snowboarding off-piste and high level of fitness
CRS - Companion Rescue Skills training
1-day course designed for backcountry recreationists
The Avalanche Canada Companion Rescue Skills (CRS) training is a one-day course option which can be independently run or integrated with your AST1 course. The course is suitable for all recreational backcountry enthusiasts, catering to different backcountry user needs..
Covering a more comprehensive skillset including advanced transceiver operation and search techniques, along with handling multiple burials. Participants will learn to prioritize actions if caught in an avalanche, organize a group rescue, and consider post-incident considerations.
Course Duration: 1 Day
Course Fee: ¥28,000
Course Equipment: Touring Skis / Splitboard / Snowshoes & avalanche kit
*Rental package available
Pre-Requisites: Competent skiing off-piste and reasonable level of fitness
AST1/AST2 Refresher Day
1-Day On-Demand based skills refresher
We only schedule this training based on the demand and group requests – so please make an enquiry directly in regards and we will field the numbers, location and skill levels to put a training together.
It will cover a half or full day group tour with trailhead drills, scenario, online knowledge assessment and bascially a fun warmup to the season ahead!
Please make a request if you and your group would be interested in organising a training with 4 or more people and get a special 10% discount.
Course Duration: 1/2 day (AST1) or Full Day (AST2)
Participants: Minimum 4 – 8 total
Course Fee: ¥12,000 (AST1) / ¥20,000 (AST2)
Course Equipment: Touring Skis / Splitboard / Snowshoes & avalanche kit *Rental package available
Pre-Requisites: Completion of AST1 and/or AST2
