The Do’s for a Safe Backcountry Skiing Trip

Backcountry skiing with excitement and adventure brings danger as well. It is risky when you opt for any backcountry skiing trip and therefore it is important to take care of certain things to ensure safety and security of your life.

Here is a list of things that you should do and look after while you are out on a Backcountry skiing trips:

·         Take the help of a mountaineering guide and do not rely on a person who has no experience in skiing. It is also important that you start your journey with a comfortable backcountry pack, big enough to hold camera, snacks or other small items, for a comfortable journey. 

·         Tool kit and first aid kit are other important things you should take along. You must be ready with a mountaineering first aid kit and a tool kit with all spare parts to fix any problem on your poles or skis.

·         While skiing, if anyone in a group feels unsafe or tired, then the group should reassess.

·         You must wear big goggles that allow lot of space between your face and the. These goggles work far better than the stylish ones and keep the warmth from the face from fogging up the goggles.

·         If in case you are lost while skiing, it is better to mark your spot and stay there rather then moving around because that makes it easier for a rescue to find you and you can also save energy.

A number of mountaineering schools in Canada today offer you skiing trips along with other beneficial courses like AST Courses in Canmore, ice climbing and rock climbing courses. Thereby, taking care of the above given steps, under the supervision of a professional guide, you can enjoy your adventurous trip to the fullest.

Avalanche Skills Training Level 2- Understand the Avalanche danger ratings verification techniques

The Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 (AST2) course is designed for students who have moderate degree of experience and training and are looking to broaden the avalanche skills. This course helps you to understand the Avalanche danger ratings verification techniques which are very much needed during the mountaineering escapades. 

This course makes you aware of the risks during mountaineering and also entails the mitigation procedures for these risks. Based on the most advanced knowledge, AST2 provides an intermediate level decision-making framework. It trains to use route finding and travel techniques to manage personal risk.

MSA’S (Mountain Skills Academy) role in AST2 programme:

MSA facilitates avalanche safety in Canada with full range of avalanche Skill courses (level 1 and 2). The training is provided under certified ACMG/IFMGA Ski/Mountain Guides who are professional members of the Canadian Avalanche Association and have a minimum of four years operational experience. 

The academy offers you an affordable service by expert instructors in world class location. The AST2 course consists of 3 days of extensive outdoor field sessions focusing on terrain analysis, snowpack assessment and rescue skills. Each field day starts and finishes with one indoor classroom sessions to discuss current conditions. 

The curriculum and methodology of MSA meets and surpasses Canadian Avalanche Association’s AST 2 requirements. The avalanche travel safety plan here consolidates theory and practice into effective, easy to use and decision-making tool. The students here receive a certificate from the Canadian Avalanche Centre upon completion of the course. MSA also offers other winter mountaineering courses and skiing course trip.

Avalanche Skills Training Programs for Safe Mountain Endeavours

The number of skiers, snowboarders, climbers and snowmobile riders venturing into the mountains are increasing every year. Unfortunately, every winter some accidents take place in the avalanches. The Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC), which is Canada’s National Public Safety Organization, believes that Avalanche skills training programs are an essential first step to safe backcountry use in the winter. The CAC develops nationally recognized avalanche course standards and provides the instructional materials to independent instructors who in turn deliver Avalanche Skills Training (AST) programs to outdoor enthusiasts. The Avalanche courses are divided into two levels – AST Level 1 and AST Level 2.

Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Level 1

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 course covers the fundamentals of backcountry avalanche awareness and companion rescue. The course provides the knowledge required for using appropriate travel techniques in avalanche terrain, carrying out companion rescue, identifying the avalanche terrain and forming the base for further avalanche training. A minimum of 7 hours classroom teaching and 1 day field training are required.

Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Level 2

Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 course provide a framework for intermediate level decision-making based on the most advanced knowledge available. The objectives of the course are: proficient companion rescue techniques, travel techniques in the avalanche terrain appropriate to the avalanche conditions, route finding to take advantages of nuances in the terrain and familiarity with the Avalanche Danger Ratings verification techniques for personal use on a local scale.  A minimum of 9.5 hours classroom teaching and 3 days field training are required.

The Avalanche skills training are an essential first step for safe Avalanche endeavors.