AABBS Youth Avalanche Skills Training 1
Your gateway to the backcountry. Get off the chairlift and get out there!
A nationally-recognized course that's essential for adventuring beyond the resort boundary.
In partnership with the Avalanche Awareness Beyond Boundaries Society, Whitewater Ski Resort is proud to offer a Youth Specific AST 1 course as part of our Avalanche Education Program. We start out covering some avalanche theory and backcountry best practices as part of two action-packed field days at Whitewater Ski Resort getting familiar with gear, practicing companion rescue skills, recognizing avalanche terrain, and exploring decision making while moving through the backcountry.
Learn hot tips and tricks from Whitewater’s own Snow Safety personnel on how to stay safe and make smart choices when exploring the backcountry. Small group sizes allow for a supportive learning environment with one-on-one feedback and lots of time for questions to get the most out of your course.
Success in the backcountry begins here, with an AST 1.
What is the Avalanche Awareness Beyond Boundaries Society?
The Avalanche Awareness Beyond the Boundaries Society (AABBS) is a nonprofit formed to provide free and discounted Avalanche Skills Training to youth between the ages of 13 and 18 in the Kootenay area. Their mission statement is to raise awareness and educate youth in decision making about backcountry travel and avalanche safety by providing age-appropriate courses in the West Kootenay region.
The AABBS was founded in the spring of 2009 by a group of Nelson ski industry and business professionals concerned about the increasing number of teens venturing out into the backcountry without any avalanche and/or mountain safety training.
Thanks to the generosity of the many donors supporting this effort, the AABBS has provided free and discounted AST courses following Avalanche Canada curriculum to over 500 Nelson and area youth between the ages of 13 and 18 since 2010.
The AABBS strives to provide a youth-focused delivery of the AvCan AST1 curriculum, drawing on the instructor's experience and feedback from the participants in order to maximize interaction and engagement. It was difficult for some youth to access the necessary equipment required for the AST course, so the Society board has since provided 12 complete safety equipment packs with all of the necessary backcountry gear for participants to use.
Bookings will open on October 13, 2025.
What you'll gain
- Trip planning skills;
- Identification of avalanche terrain;
- Safe travel techniques;
- Companion rescue skills;
- An in-depth understanding of the avalanche forecast;
- The Avalanche Handbook and Avaluator;
- A nationally-recognized Youth AST 1 certificate.
Required experience
| Backcountry Knowledge | Novice - this course is for everyone! It’s ideal for someone who has never ventured beyond the boundary, and for those who are already getting out there. No matter your experience or ability, we tailor our courses to your needs and knowledge. |
|---|---|
| Fitness Level | Some - an average level of fitness is required. You should be comfortable being outdoors in cold weather all day, and able to undergo moderate physical activity throughout the day. You won’t be left behind, and snack breaks on the way up the skin track are always encouraged. |
| Riding Ability | A strong intermediate riding ability is required, with confidence in untracked powder and trees - there are no groomed runs in the backcountry! This is not a skiing course, we’re here to learn. Plus, there's a bonus run back to the resort each day! |
| Touring Ability | Beginner - we will be travelling on skis with skins, splitboards with skins, or snowshoes carrying our snowboard. It’s ideal to get some practice with your touring gear before joining the course but you do not need to be an expert. Your instructors will give you tips and tricks along the way. |
Youth must be 13-18 and an intermediate to advanced rider in order to participate.
Course dates
- December 20-21, 2025
- January 3-4, 2026
- February 7-8, 2026
Key information
- This is a 2-day course. The date listed on the booking calendar is the first of two full field days that will take place from 9:00am - 4:00pm at Whitewater Ski Resort's Hummingbird Lodge;
- AST 1 courses require a minimum of 6 participants to proceed. If a course has fewer than 6 participants, it will not run, and those scheduled to take the course will have the choice of a full refund or to be scheduled at a later date (if available);
- All participants in this course must complete the Whitewater Backcountry Access Waiver on the first day of the course. A Parent Consent and Acknowledgement of Risk waiver must also be completed by a parent/guardian of each participant on the first day of the course;
- Parents can review the Youth Informed Consent brochure here.
Booking information
- To book, call (250) 354-4944 or email ;
- Lift tickets are included in program prices unless otherwise stated;
- Program availability and lesson formats are subject to change;
- Lessons must be paid in full at the time of booking;
- Taxes are not included in the advertised price and all lessons are subject to 5% GST.
Cancellation policy
- A $25 administration fee will be applied to all cancellations after the time of booking;
- If a cancellation is made 30 days or more in advance of the program, you will receive a full refund, less a $25 administration fee;
- For cancellations made between 30 and 15 days in advance of the program, 50% of the total program fees will be refunded, less a $25 administration fee;
- Cancellations made within 15 days of the program start are not eligible for a refund;
- Refunds will not be issued for no-shows.
FAQs
