After Ray Norman, an ACC member since the early ‘80s, passed away in an avalanche in 2011 a fund was set up to provide funding for members who want to improve their skills in the area of avalanche awareness. Part of this fund, in conjunction with subsidization from the Calgary section, is being used to put on an Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Level 1 Course.

The course fee is $150 and includes a day of class and a field day (location TBD). The theory sessions are set up within the framework of the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) with a focus on getting people ‘hands on’ as much as possible with equipment and the concepts that will be taught on the field day.

The field day is an introduction to being in the backcountry within the scope of CAA’s AST Level 1 program. The certified instructor will start to introduce the concepts of using terrain to minimize hazard, basic snow stability tests, travel tips and more.

At the end of the course you will be awarded a CAA AST Level 1 certification.

Those interested in attending must register and will then be evaluated and selected based on past participation with the club. Upon being accepted, participants must pay the $150 fee by sending an INTERAC e-Transfer to the ACC Treasurer using the Treasurer@ACCCalgary.ca email address. Don't forget to also send the e-Transfer password to the Treasurer and a payment confirmation email to the trip coordinator.

Thanks to the Ray Norman Fund and heavy subsidization by the club, participants who complete the course will receive a refund of $100.

Please note that while this AST course is focused towards skiers, in the near future we will be putting on a second AST 1 course that is focused on ice climbers.