Motorized Avalanche Skills Training Level 1
M.A.S.T 1 is an essential educational foundation that all snowmobilers and snow bikers should have. Just like learning to drive, it takes time to grasp the rules of the road and understand how weather conditions can impact road safety. Similarly, in the backcountry, it is crucial to comprehend the hazards associated with avalanche terrain and the risks posed by other riders. Level 1 of M.A.S.T. is designed to provide you with the fundamental knowledge necessary to assess the dangers of backcountry travel, much like understanding the meaning of a stop sign, when it’s safe to pass, and adhering to road etiquette.
Just as every person on the road needs this basic knowledge, every rider venturing into the backcountry should acquire it too. M.A.S.T. Level 1 covers a wide range of topics, including identifying avalanche terrain, understanding slab avalanches, recognizing how weather influences avalanche hazards, familiarizing oneself with avalanche rescue equipment, and creating motorized avalanche rescue plans. There is a wealth of information to absorb, and it is important to approach it as a gradual learning process, where the knowledge gained is then applied, leading to retention.
For those who are new to mountain riding or have limited experience, M.A.S.T. 1 is an excellent course to begin with if you want to save time and money. However, if you or your group has been riding for some time or have previously completed an avalanche skills training course and are seeking to refresh and enhance your knowledge and abilities, we highly recommend considering the M.A.S.T. 1plus option. This upgraded course provides an opportunity to reinforce and upgrade your understanding, ensuring that you are well-prepared for the challenges of the backcountry.
To accommodate different preferences and learning styles, we offer both in-person instruction and Motorized Avalanche Online Learning Level 1 option for the classroom portions of our M.A.S.T 1 courses. This flexibility ensures that students can choose the format that best suits their needs and circumstances. In summary, our course aims to deliver a comprehensive and engaging learning experience in avalanche safety for motorized users
Integrating Soul Rides Online Learning with our Hands-On Avalanche Training is a seamless process. To get started, ensure that you and your group have successfully completed the relevant online learning level corresponding to the hands-on course you wish to undertake. You can explore our Pre-Scheduled courses or choose the Custom Booking option to identify a suitable date within one year of completing the online learning portion. This ensures a comprehensive and well-coordinated training experience.
M.A.S.T. Courses require a minimum of 5 students for custom bookings. If we travel outside of Revelstoke/ Sicamous, BC those minimum student numbers are subject to change and or the price per person.
Please read in full and understand all the risks before committing to a course. Links below. Avalanche Canada Student Release / Soul Rides Release of Liability / Avalanche Canada Youth Student Release
COST: CA$420 + GST / Student
Course Schedule in Person Instruction
Day 1
Class Instruction – 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Make sure to bring your coffee and get ready to dive into the course promptly at 8:00 am. The morning instruction will kick off with introductions and provide a broad overview of key topics, including trip planning, avalanche terrain, terrain travel habits, avalanche rescue equipment, and avalanche rescue techniques.
By 11:30 am, we will make a plan and meet in the staging area to head out into the mountains for the rest of the day. This collaborative planning session will allow us to select the most suitable terrain for our practical exercises and hands-on learning activities.
Field Instruction – 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM
To optimize our limited time, we kindly request that you arrive at the course with your sleds fueled, gear, and food prepared, ready to transition to the field for the afternoon session. During this portion of the course, we will venture into the mountains and begin with a focus on avalanche rescue equipment. We will then progress to avalanche rescue techniques and planning, providing hands-on instruction and engaging in mock rescue scenarios.
As we navigate through the backcountry, we will make strategic stops to highlight important aspects such as avalanche terrain. At these stops, we will provide instructions on proper traveling habits in avalanche-prone areas, ensuring your safety and understanding. This experiential approach will enable you to gain practical knowledge and firsthand experience.
Please be prepared for an engaging and informative afternoon as we explore the mountains and delve into various aspects of avalanche safety.
Day 2
Class Instruction – 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
We will begin promptly at 8:00 am, so please arrive on time. You’re welcome to bring coffee and treats to keep you refreshed and energized throughout the morning. During this initial part of the course, we will dedicate several hours to learning and discussion before we venture back out into the field.
The morning session will primarily focus on essential topics such as identifying avalanche terrain. We will provide a comprehensive understanding of snowpack dynamics, guidelines for safe travel in avalanche terrain, instructions on effectively utilizing the avalanche bulletin system, and a case study analysis of past avalanche fatalities. These discussions and lessons will form a solid foundation of knowledge to enhance your avalanche safety skills.
Field Instruction – 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM
To maximize our limited time, it is important that you arrive at the course with your sleds fueled, gear, and food prepared, ready to transition to the field for the afternoon session. We will meet at the designated staging area, where we will first review the avalanche bulletin and discuss how to effectively apply it to the afternoon’s activities.
Once we have covered the necessary information, we will proceed to head up the mountain, utilizing the knowledge acquired during the classroom portion of the course. The focus of the afternoon will be to develop your fundamental skills in applying the learned knowledge as we navigate through avalanche terrain as a team. By working collaboratively, we will utilize the snowpack knowledge imparted during the class to choose an appropriate location for digging into the snowpack. This practical exercise will provide you with valuable insights into the formation of avalanches, setting you on a path towards a deeper understanding.
By combining theoretical understanding with hands-on experience, our aim is to empower you to make informed decisions and enhance your avalanche safety skills.
Course Schedule Online Instruction
Day 1
Parking Lot Meeting – 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Please note that specific meeting points and timings will be communicated to you prior to the course.
You will receive detailed information about the meeting location and time. During this one-hour session, please come prepared with your coffee and make yourself comfortable, as we will promptly begin the course at 8:00 am. The morning meeting will provide a brief overview of avalanche forecasting and introduce you to avalanche rescue gear. It is important that you have all your necessary snowmobiling or snow biking equipment ready for the day’s activities. After the meeting, we will immediately proceed to the course.
Field Instruction – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Given our limited time, we request that you arrive fully equipped with your sleds, gear, and food, ready to embark on our mountain adventure. We will start with a focus on avalanche rescue equipment, followed by in-depth instruction on avalanche rescue techniques and planning. This hands-on session will involve practical exercises and simulated rescue scenarios, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the equipment and enhance your skills.
As we journey through the backcountry, we will make strategic stops to highlight important aspects such as avalanche terrain. During these stops, we will provide guidance on proper traveling habits in avalanche-prone areas. Additionally, we will conduct snowpack observations by immersing ourselves in the snow, a crucial component for understanding avalanches. Please ensure you have warm gloves and a toque for this activity.
Our aim is to return to the staging area between 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM, concluding the day’s activities.
Further Hands-On Learning
