The MAT or Managing Avalanche Terrain is a focused field-based course designed to expand on the terrain management theory taught in the AST 1 course and to develop winter backcountry travel skills.
Managing Avalanche Terrain Training (MAT) 8 hours – $190
Arrive – 8:00 am at staging area
Class Start – 8:30 am Must be geared up, trail pass purchased (bring $25 cash) and ready to ride.
Days are short, class must leave on time.
Return Time ~ 5:30 pm (be prepared to come home in the dark)
Dates:
Dec 12 – Golden
Jan 23 – Golden
Instructor student ratio 8:1
MATÂ days may be added or canceled depending on the number of registered students.
MAT Course Objectives
- Recognize and classify avalanche terrain
- Plan and prepare for a backcountry trip
- Demonstrate techniques to minimize risk when traveling in the backcountry
Pre-requisite – AST1 Class and Field must be completed
Students must be well practiced with their avalanche rescue equipment and be 18 years of age or older, prior to enrolling in the Managing Avalanche Terrain course.
All MAT sessions will be led by Trigger-Point Snow Services
Trigger Point
Amber & Chris Granter
(250) 939-8605‬
amberwood@trigger-point.ca
trigger-point.ca
https://www.facebook.com/TriggerPointSnowServices
PLEASE NOTE: The information below is general in nature. Please watch for an email in the week prior to your registered field session for specific details related to the instructor contact information and logistics.
 Quartz Creek Snowmobile Staging area – Golden, BC
(road conditions permitting, SCROLL DOWN to see the BACKUP PLAN below)
Instructor – Trigger Point – (250) 814-7210
Meet in the upper Quartz Creek parking lot. Gather at instructor’s vehicle.
Look for a truck with Trigger Point logos.
Instructors and students will be traveling in on the groomed trail together.
TO BRING:
- All your avalanche gear – transceiver (3 antennae recommended) and backpack with probe and shovel (air bags not necessary)
- Contact us if you need to borrow any gear for the day – Lori, 403-850-3042 or Amber, 250-814-7210
- AVALUATOR – slope evaluation card (received in the classroom – $15 if you forget)
Avaluator – Slope Evaluation
Companion Rescue Card
- Companion Rescue Card (received in the classroom)
- Warm clothes, thick soled boots for standing on the snow all day
- Any emergency gear that you would normally bring on a day of riding
- Lunch, thermos with hot beverage. NO ALCOHOL (Expect a ‘working lunch’. Eat while listening, snack between exercises. We will not access the cabin or a fire for lunch.)
- ~$25 cash for trail fees
- We will be completing NEW waivers in the parking lot. We recommend that you tear out the waiver from your classroom workbook or download a copy by CLICKING HERE If you print, read and fill out your contact details beforehand you can bring the completed waiver to the staging area and one of your instructors will act as your witness. We will bring copies of the waiver to the staging area however it is a bit nicer for you to complete the paperwork ahead of time rather than in the snow!
Not quite sure what else to bring to the field session? CLICK HERE
Need to rent some gear or a snow machine? CLICK HERE>
Map & Directions from Golden to Quartz Creek
Quartz is approx 45 km west of Golden on Hwy#1, approx a 20 minute drive. Before arriving at Quartz you will cross a bridge and pass a highway rest stop that is on the left side of the road. Travel 3.7km past the rest stop. The highway widens to turning lanes and there is a small ‘snowmobile’ sign on the right side of the road at the Quartz turn off. The parking lot is located on the left side of the highway.
CLICK HERE to view a map to Quartz Creek
CLICK HERE to view a BC Highway Camera – positioned near the Quartz Creek bridge looking east. Elevation 1080m
Looking for the snow conditions or weather forecast? CLICK HERE
The Weather Network for Golden CLICK HERE
BACKUP PLAN RELATED TO ROAD CLOSURES
- If Kicking Horse Canyon or Hwy #1 closes to the East of GOLDEN. Class will still run if the highways are closed! Please plan accordingly. You may have to take the alternate route from Hwy 1 through Radium…. lets hope not!!
- If road closes to the West of GOLDEN – Ask the flagger if you can proceed through the closure to stage at Quartz.
a) Yes – field day proceeds at Quartz as scheduled. ***NOTE: if an accident/incident is farther to the west they usually allow avalanche classes through to Quartz Creek – you will have to ask the flagger!!
b) No-one allowed through closure to Quartz.
- Back-up plan: MEET at Mountain Motorsports at 0730am sharp!
– 910 9th St. North, Golden, BC V0A 1H2 - CLICK HERE for Mountain Motorsport’s Website
- this will get the group off the highway and away from traffic and allow us to make a new plan from there.
c) If the road closes and you are coming from the WEST…do your best…Please give us a call 250-814-7210. There is Telus cell reception at the Quartz parking lot (No Rogers mobile service though!)
Host Hotel
Ramada Inn – Golden, BC
Phone: (250) 439-1888
Toll Free: 1-800-593-0511 Reservation only
Fax: (250) 439-1889
1311N. 12th St., Hwy #1
Golden, B.C. V0A 1H0, Canada
E-Mail: info@ramadagolden.com
CLICK HERE for a Google Map for the Ramada
This facility is easy walking distance to restaurants, lounges and fuel stations. Excellent truck/trailer parking in the open lot in front. Indoor pool, hot tub, fitness room and deluxe continental breakfast.
Phone the hotel directly to book your room. There are limited rooms blocked off. In order to secure the special rates, please identify that you are a Snowmobiler with Zac’s Tracs avalanche class.
2016-17 Rates for sledders:
Standard 2 queen $89.00 + taxes ( based on double occupancy. Add $10 for each additional person)
2 Bedroom suites $129.00 + taxes ( based on double occupancy. Add $10 for each additional person)
These rates INCLUDE A GREAT BREAKFAST (waffles, cold boiled eggs, hot & cold cereals, bagels, fruit…)
To Register
CLICK HERE To be redirected to the Registration Area.
Confirmed Registrations
CLICK HERE To review the class lists for all Zacs Tracs courses.