Avalanche courses in Fernie, BC

NOTE: Zacs Tracs crew have decided to postpone INDOOR classroom sessions until the 2022-23 season.

ONLINE AST1 Classroom content for 2021-22 can be accessed through our partners at Hangfire Avalanche Training.

Zacs is still offering OUTDOOR AST1 Field Sessions in Valemount with our Zacs Tracs Field Instructors and in Golden and Revelstoke with Trigger Point/Hangfire Instructors. If you still have a field credit, now is the time to book it and complete your AST1 certificate!

Click Here to book a Hangfire AST1 Class/Field Click to book a ZacsTracs field session

The Fernie AST1 Class and Field is a great option for snowmobilers
coming out of southern Albertan and Saskatchewan towns, like Lethbridge,
Medicine Hat, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current and Yorkton.

CLICK below to download a flyer

Community Avalanche Training
Zacs Tracs Season Flyer

QUICK LINKS

* AST Level 1 Classroom Session $200 – 8.5hr

* AST Level 1 Field Session $200 – 9hr


*Discounts up to $30* and *Credits up to $90* available when booking your AST Level 1 Class and Field at the same time.
Youth discounts, Refresher discounts, group credits and early season credits are available!
CLICK HERE FOR PROMO CODES


AST 1 Class Session
– 8.5 hour (Indoor)

Meeting Time: 8:30am – Doors open
9:00am – 5:30pm – Class

Classroom Session postponed until 2022-23 season

Meeting Location – Best Western Fernie – Mt Proctor conference room

Avalanche along snowmobile trail

Please bring $25 cash to cover food, beverages, tip and tax for the day.
Best Western is catering.
There is no time to grab lunch off-site.  A course video will be watched over the lunch hour and everyone must stay in and eat.

The AST Level 1 is considered the minimum level of training that backcountry riders should have. It is an excellent introduction to how to “not get caught”…recognizing hazards in the terrain, how and why the snow structure changes, group management and route selection to reduce risk exposure as well as introductory companion rescue skills…  READ MORE

COVID SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS:

Please be prepared for the following Zacs Tracs COVID Safety Protocols in order to participate in your training session.  Zacs and the facility operators are taking steps recommended by provincial Health Aurhorities towards minimizing exposure to, and transmission or, COVID-19 at all training sites.

  • Complete the COVID pre-screening questions AS SOON AS YOU AWAKE in the morning of your field day.  It is important that we received completed questionnaires from all students early so that this information can be confirmed by the field instructors BEFORE they are out of cellular reception.  These questions will be TEXTED to you the evening before your field day or early the morning of.  Please ensure that EVERYONE in your group, including youth, complete a separate questionnaire.  The link can be used multiple times.  The instructors will  have paper copies of the questions if you forget.
    CLICK HERE for a copy of the Pre-Screening questions and information.
  • AHS approved face mask with 2 or 3 layers.  CLICK HERE for info related to approved masks and instructions on how to wear a mask properly.
  • Hand sanitizer (Minimum 60% alcohol content) must be used prior to class start, before and after eating, following any personal breaks and after handling any shared equipment.
  • Supply and dispose of your own food and beverage during the training period.
  • Avoid sharing equipment.  Please handle training equipment with clean winter gloves or hand sanitize following.  Use sanitizing wipes to clean surfaces and equipment that you may have touched.
  • Maintain a minimum distance of 2m (6’6″) between instructors and students outside your family or cohort whenever possible.

PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT THE CLASSROOM SESSION, PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME TO REVIEW THESE 4 LINKS

AST 1 Field Session
– 9 hour (Outdoor)

Choose ONE field day.

CLICK HERE to view all available Field Sessions

A certificate of completion for the AST1 is awarded to those riders that complete the hands-on mountain field session.
Mountain training is very important. Understanding the signs of unstable snow, choosing terrain and proper travel habits are the key to managing the risks in avalanche areas. Habits are hard to break but by actually… READ MORE

To Register

CLICK HERE to be redirected to the registration area

Confirmed Registrations

To review the class lists for all Zacs Tracs courses please CLICK HERE