Avalanche Safety Training
Avalanche Safety Training
Take a course in Hakuba this season
Taking an avalanche safety course is the first step when making a move into the backcountry. The Avalanche Skills Training (AST) courses have been developed by the Avalanche Canada and are considered the standard in recreational avalanche training. See below for course details & dates.
If the dates we have scheduled don't work for you, and you have a group of 6 or more, contact us and we may be able to organize a special Avalanche Safety Training course for you.
AST 1 + CRS
The two day AST 1 course, plus a one day CRS (Companion Rescue Skills) course - both developed and authorized by Avalanche Canada. A Companion Rescue Skills course is a must-have for all backcountry recreationists in any sport, because it teaches life-saving search and rescue techniques. The CRS course may be the first step of your avalanche training, or an important refresher for those with previous training. The one-day CRS requires a minimum of seven hours in the field.
- Professional and Certified Guide
- Textbook
- Evaluator
- Certification and exam fees
- 3 full days of instruction
- Backcountry insurance
Price
Full Course per person: ¥48,500
Rentals
AST participants are eligible for a 25% discount on rentals.
Equipment is required for days 2 & 3 of the course.
AST participants are also eligible for a 20% discount on our Group Tours.
Offer is valid only for bookings made online at least 2 days before the course commences.
AST 2 + MAT
The four day AST 2 and the one day MAT course is developed and authorized by Avalanche Canada. The AST 2 course is suitable for people with a moderate degree of training and experience and 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 traveling 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 MAT (Managing Avalanche Terrain) is a very focused field-based course designed to expand on the terrain management taught in the AST 1 course, and to develop more advanced winter backcountry travel skills. This course will help you mitigate your risk by honing your terrain evaluation and travel skills.
- Professional and Certified Guide
- Textbook
- Evaluator
- Certification and exam fees
- 5 full days of instruction
- Backcountry insurance
Price
Full Course per person: ¥89,500
Rentals
AST participants are eligible for a 25% discount on rentals.
Equipment is required for all days of the course.
Offer is valid only for bookings made online at least 2 days before the course commences.
CRS Course and Refresher
The Companion Rescue Skills course can be booked as a standalone day for individuals who have already completed their two-day AST 1 or can be joined as a refresher for those who have done the AST 1 + CRS course in the past. Participants of the CRS Refresher day are eligible to participate in the indoor classroom day (the day prior) as well to fully brush up on their knowledge of the backcountry. This course is designed to ensure that you are able to make safe and informed choices while being familiar with up to date life-saving search and rescue techniques.
If you completed your AST 1 + CRS with us in the past we would like to offer a 30% discount for the refresher day.
Pre-requisite: Minimum AST1
- Professional and Certified Guide
- Certification (if not completed previously) and exam fees
- 1 day of CRS instruction
- Backcountry insurance
Price
Course per person: ¥18,500
Rentals
CR participants are eligible for a 25% discount on rentals.
Equipment is required for the course day.
Offer is valid only for bookings made online at least 2 days before the course commences.
Resources
We encourage you to study as much about avalanche safety as possible. Here are several articles by Evergreen Director Dave Enright of Evergreen to get you started (links go to the Evergreen Outdoor Center site):
"I just wanted to write and say thanks. That course has provided me invaluable knowledge that I have been using most days. Cheers for passing on your knowledge and positivity, it means a lot. I'm in Hokkaido at the moment...I'll see you next winter for the 5 day course and a beer."Bronus (Sapporo)
