AST Questions and Answers 

Here are some often asked questions followed by our answers.

Q. Why do you not offer a ski/board AST1 in November or December?

A. Simply because the snowpack in our area is often too shallow in those months. The skiing can be dangerous with many obstacles not covered yet, or even worse just barely covered. No one wants to get hurt early in the season and be laid up when the conditions get good in the new year. As well, to understand snowpack layering and snowpack tests we need a healthy amount of snow on the ground. We often offer a snowshoe course in mid December because obstacles and slightly buried obstacle are not as much as a hazard to those travelling on snowshoes.

Q. Do you do courses in the Powderking side country?

A. Not usually. We did for several years. The terrain accessed by the lifts is ok for an AST1. However a one trip up lift ticket got to be pretty expensive. We started there with a $10 ticket in the early 2000’s by 2020 the cost was $30. We can’t blame PK. It costs a lot to operated a ski resort but it made the cost of an AST1 pretty expensive.. Also the 2 1/2 hour drive each way got tiresome. Now we do our AST1 courses in the local PG backcountry, earning our turns.

Q. Are course fees refundable if I have to cancel.

A. No they are not. We offer the option of students purchasing cancellation insurance from us for $50. If you need to cancel your course fees are refunded.

Q. What is the difference between the snowshoe and the ski/board AST1?

A. Just the mode of snow travel. The curriculum is the same. We try to separate snowshoers and skiers/boarders because they travel through the backcountry at different paces.