07-08 Avalanche Events Calendar
Zac’s Tracs and the Canadian Avalanche Centre
Please contact Zac’s if you have an avalanche related event that you would like to advertise here.
This information is subject to change. Please contact the Event Organizers for the most current details.
Click on the arrows on the top left of the calendar to access other months and events.
Click on ‘Agenda’ on the top right of the calendar to view an easy to read listing of the available classes.
Avalanche Safety Training Level 1 classes - 16 hr programs, General info
Avalanche Skills Training – Level 1 (AST 1)
The AST 1 course follows a curriculum developed by the Canadian Avalanche Association. Instructional materials & lesson plans are developed by the CAA.
Click here to go the www.avalanche.ca for more information.
The course demands a minimum of 16 hours. The AST is an excellent introduction to avalanche terrain recognition skills, snowpack theory, rescue skills and overall risk management. The class structure is highly interactive. The classroom component includes lecture, powerpoint, videos, displays, demonstrations, group exercises and interactive learning.
Classroom Exercises require 8 hours and can be completed over a full day or two 4-hour evening sessions.
•Identify types of avalanches, where they start and how they move
•Learn to spot avalanche terrain and estimate the level of danger
•Discover clues of unstable snow and find out how and why snow changes
•NEW** learn to use the AVALUATOR system, the CAC’s new avalanche decision making tool
•Learn tips and tasks for an efficient avalanche rescue
•View the proper use of rescue equipment, learn limitations of safety gear
•Highlight safe travel habits for sledders.
•Discuss past accidents, participate in group activities, view images and video materials. NEW for 2006/07 multi-media projector & ‘electronic whiteboard’
Following the classroom, students provide their own snowmobile to participate in eight hours of hands-on field exercises.
This is very important. Proper terrain travel habits are the key to managing the risks in avalanche areas. Habits are hard to break but by actually practicing the appropriate travel techniques (rather than just attending a lecture on them) the odds are better that safer riding styles will be adopted.
Field Exercises include:
•Single and multiple beacon searches using analog and digital technology
•SOS, Ortovox, Tracker, Pieps & Barryvox avalanche gear and SEAR snow study equipment are available for student use and demo. Test and compare before you buy.
•Act as a searcher and a witness during 2 or more timed mock rescues
•Practice rescues using life size dummies and probe targets
•Learn how to keep your group safe while trail riding or hill climbing
•Dig a pit to see weak & strong layers, snow crystals and slab formation – skills necessary to understand Public Avalanche Bulletins that are available at www.avalanche.ca or 1-800-667-1105
PLEASE NOTE the AST Level 1 replaces the Introductory Recreational Avalanche Course (IRAC). This change was made by the Canadian Avalanche Centre in 2006.
Follow this link for an explanation of the typical AST1 Course Schedule
Typical AST 1 Course Schedule
The typical AST 1 class schedule includes a full day of classroom exercises. Registration at 8:30am, half hour lunch and finished by 5:30pm. When locations permit, it is recommended that the group reconvene in the evening for an informal discussion (over dinner and drinks…when appropriate for the group) of the various makes and models of avalanche rescue tools (beacons, etc.) and to watch a 45 minute training video.
Depending on daylight hours and distance to the staging area, the group should meet for the field exercises at 8:30am at the staging area with sleds full of fuel & oil, lunch packed, ready to ride. This is a hands-on work day in a mountain location on snowmobiles.
Follow this link for an alternative schedule for the AST1
Alternative Schedule for the AST Level 1
For a larger group, 24-64 people, the classroom work may be split over 2 or 3 evenings. This alternative is very economical for the participants as it allows the classroom exercises to be completed in the group’s hometown, often organized during the pre-season. The field exercises are scheduled in the mountains at a later date and the participants can then choose from a variety of dates and locations.
There are a couple of options for this year’s AST Level 1 (RAC):
Option 1: 2 Day Mountain Programs – participants will travel to the
mountains and complete the full 16+ hrs at once. These programs are
scheduled in various mountain communities from December – March.
Option 2: 16+ hour Split Programs – participants have many pre-season options within Alberta and Saskatchewan to attend the classroom work over 1 day or 2 evenings. The field exercises are then completed in the mountains at a later date. Organize a multi-day sled tour and then book one day to spend with us. A safety course…a pretty good excuse for a trip to the mountains. Even your boss or spouse will have to agree!
Beacon Seminars
You have got the gear…. Learn how to use it!
Tools are only as good
as the operator…
Could you locate someone?
…quickly?!
Could your friends find you?
…in time?!
If you should ever find yourself in the situation to need it, the beacon search should be second nature, freeing your mind up for more complicated rescue needs. Learn how beacons operate and methods to use when searching for multiple signals.
Digital or analog….what is the best?
This 2.5 hour presentation will cover all makes and models of beacons commonly available in Western Canada.
Beacon searching is not a skill that you want to learn as you go.
Avalanche Course Fees for Individuals
PRICES
Please contact Zac’s to quote a custom course.
Day rates and expenses will vary depending on the timing, size of the group, and the location of the program.
In general rates usually work out to:
Classroom Session AST Level 1: $100-110
includes GST, course manual, handouts, Avaluator card & guide book
Field Session AST Level 1: $100-140
includes GST, snow study and rescue equipment for the day.
Beacon Workshop: ~ $ 40
includes GST & handouts.
This session may be run as an indoor presentation or an outdoor interactive session…depends on group size and logistics of the teaching location
2 hour CAC Seminars: $25/family, donations accepted
includes a free Avaluator and Friends Membership to the CAC
Expenses supported by the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) Snowmobile Outreach Program.
2007-2008 Avalanche Programs & Fees for Course Hosts
It is awesome that you are viewing this so early in the season!
This is the best time to get your group organized and book an avalanche class. Sledders are highly motivated in the pre-season and the courses that run from October – December fill easily.
We are now taking deposits for custom courses for 2007-2008.
2 of the 10 weekends are still available.
There are many weekday opportunities as well.
If you are a business, club or individual seeking to organize a custom session for your community or riding group contact Zac’s for a quote.
403-938-5811 or lori@zacstracs.com
Training Options:
General Avalanche Awareness Presentation – 2-3 hours
Beacon Workshop – 2.5 hours
AST 1 Classroom Training – 8+ hours
AST 1 Hands-on Field Training – 8+ hours
(certificate issued upon completion of the 16 hr AST 1 class & field training program)
AST 2 – 4 day program
Customized Class – you choose the schedule & program length – 2 hrs to 4 days
As a Course Host, choose a course type, date and location and estimate the group size.
The course quotes are based on day rates plus expenses. The cost to your participants will depend on the group size and the travel expenses from Calgary, AB.
Keep the group size small to maximize instructor time
or gather up a larger group for a lower per person pricing.
Registration and promotion for these programs will be completed by the Course Hosts.
A fully transferable but non-refundable deposit of $500 will hold your chosen date until September 30th. After September 30th booking details will be completed with the Course Host and a deposit of $1000 confirms the program. Full payment is due prior to the training program.
Should a group cancel with less than 4 weeks notice, the deposit will be retained. This deposit is fully transferable and we encourage you to find another group to book in your space. Winter weekends are a non-renewable resource!
Individuals looking for training should scroll up to the Events Calendar. Some of the Course Hosts may have opened their programs up to the public.
Another option may be to participate in the open forum below. Post the number of riders interested in training and your preferred dates and locations. Hopefully groups can get organized on-line in this manner and successfully schedule the training that they are seeking.
Questions or comments? Contact Lori at 403-938-5811 or lori@zacstracs.com
Post your contact info here if you are looking to gather a group and schedule an avalanche class! [3]
Hands on Beacon Field Training - 3 hrs
Under construction
