Develop the skills & competence to safely travel Backcountry
Join one of our introductory tours or directly or register to participate in any of the training programs below so you can :
Become a safe and competent rider by accessing the highest standard of training
Get hands-on experiences and meet future riding partners in one of our small groups
Join a training adapted to your lifestyle so you can maximize your time in the mountains
Fit your training to your budget and needs
Training Programs
Learn from home and maximize your time spent in the mountains!We offer introductory backcountry and Avalanche Canada licensed training programs with classroom components taught online.
Tours
Learn with professionals so you can become a better rider in the mountains.Our specialty tours range from introduction to the backcountry to high alpine advanced tours. Each of these tours share the same goal though: safe turns in the best possible conditions.
How we do it
Our courses and tours follow the internationally acclaimed Avalanche Canada curriculum to deliver you the highest standards of safety and quality.
Social
Backcountry touring is about sharing a meaningful experience with a small group of people you trust, relying on them for your safety and you ensuring theirs.Our training programs and tours put this overarching principle at the top of the list so we can have fun, ride safely and build relationships.
Active
No more talking and rambling by the instructor, it’s time for you to take the lead!The way we teach and lead our programs and tours puts you behind the driving wheel so that you can directly utilize the content taught by assessing the interaction between the environmental conditions, the mountainous terrain and the people in your group.
Pragmatic
We teach theoretical modules online during the week so that you can make best use of your time in the mountains.Our programs are modular and taught in various locations, so you can adapt your training to your needs.
Book your backcountry adventure
Any questions regarding the details of our services or maybe you have a request for a custom tour or training?
Follow the links below to book your experience or send us a message via our contact form below.
Why we do it
We are a small team of passionate guides, riders and nature-lovers with extensive knowledge and experience in the Japanese mountains.
We believe anyone should have access to affordable and high-quality training to become a safer rider in the backcountry.
On every training program and every tour that we lead our mantra is the following :
Come out with a better understanding of the risks inherent to the backcountry and how to minimize the stress and maximize the pleasure
Increase your ability to select the best terrain ad snow on any given day
Increase your ability to transfer skills and knowledge to become an advocate for a safer approach to the backcountry
Avalanche and backcountry skills training
Register to join one of our trainings and unlock your gate to the backcountry. We currently offer a complete range of outdoor skills courses from beginner to advanced levels.
We also provide customized and private training programs upon request, please contact us for further details.
Each course can be taken independently however make sure you meet the requirements before joining a course.
Avalanche Skills Training 1 +
Online Theory - 1 evening session (18:00-21:00)
Skills Training - 1 field day
BC Intro Tour - 1 day of BC touringYour key to becoming a reliable partner in the backcountry.
By the end of this course you will:
Know your touring gear and make an efficient use of it
Know your avalanche safety kit and have a first practice with it
Know how to efficiently transfer between downhill and uphill travel
Identify avalanche risk areas
Understand the basic structures of the snowpack
Know the steps required to plan and conduct a tour
Use the Avaluator as a risk mitigation aid
Understand the Avalanche Bulletin and define a hazard rating in regions where there is none
Who is it for : riders who had a first experience and want to do it the right way
Pre-requirements : previous experience riding ungroomed runs
Price : ¥42,000 (Group discounts available)
Intro to Backcountry
On demand - 1 field dayBuild your confidence to become a future party leader, hone (or refresh) your avalanche safety and touring skills.At the end of the day you will:
Efficiently plan and lead a tour
Understand the basics of avalanche forecasting
Practice the use of your transceiver, probe and shovel
Improve terrain reading and safe travel techniques
Perform a snow pit and a selection of snow tests
Who is it for : riders who want to step out of the resorts
Pre-requirements : AST 1
WMA WAFA
**Schedule - ** 4 days 09:00-17:00
Sessions include approx 10 hrs + examination
Field days - 30 hrs total
Who is it for - Professionals & Recreationists / Ski Patrol, Outdoor Educators, Guides, serious recreationists
By the end of this coures you will:
Learn the 3 triangles of assessment for patient care. Apply advanced first aid techniques including -
Patient protection & extrication
Stabilise injuries
CPR & AED
Treat wounds trauma & bleeding
and much more!!!
Who is it for : Professionals & Recreationists
Pre-requirements : None
AST 1+ schedule outline
Week prior - 2 x 2 hr online evening sessions 6:30pm - 8:30pm
AST1 field day 8am-3pm
Backcountry tour day 8am-3pm
Note: If you have a group of 4 or more interested for training we are able to schedule date and time of convenience – please contact us directly in regards
Scheduling AST 1+
Avalanche Skills training 2
**On demand - ** custom & open groups
Classroom - 2 x 3h online sessions or
1 classroom day
Field days 1-3 - Student led tripsYour key to becoming a serious trip leader in the backcountry.
By the end of this course you will:
Use the Avaluator to determine the additional planning and travel techniques needed to travel safely in avalanche terrain
Be able to do a personal review of the avalanche danger rating at a local level
Efficiently identify avalanche terrain using the ATES (Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale) and use it to develop personal ratings on a small scale
Develop a selection of itineraries and use the terrain to your advantage to adapt your risks
Use mountain travel techniques appropriate to avalanche conditions
Lead an autonomous companion rescue effectively
Understand the limits of your training.
Who is it for : riders who go out regularly and wish to lead their own trips
Pre-requirements : AST 1
AST 1 Refresh / M.A.T
On demand - 1 field dayThe Managin Avalanche Terrain (aka MAT) course is for those who have taken their AST 1 and are looking to improve their terrain assessment skills.MAT is a field-based course designed to expand on the terrain management taught in AST 1. This course will help you develop more advanced winter backcountry travel skills and mitigate your risk by honing your terrain evaluation and travel skills.At the end of the day you will:
Skills to help you plan, prepare for, and execute a safe backcountry trip.
Techniques to minimize risk when travelling in the backcountry.
How to recognize and classify avalanche terrain.
Who is it for : riders who want to expand their AST1 skills and are looking towards taking their AST2.
Pre-requirements : AST 1
CASI Instructor Training
Scheduled Courses 3-4 DaysTake your step into becoming a professional snowboard instructor under CASI - 'Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors'.
Who is it for : New Instructors & Level 1 equivelant level up
Pre-requirements : Can ride competently
AST1 + WAFA
**Scheduled - ** 5 days 09:00-17:00
Classroom - sessions included approx 6 hrs + examination
Field days 5 - 40 hrs total
Who is it for - Professionals & Recreationists / Ski Patrol, Outdoor Educators, Guides, serious recreationistsA complete avalanche training from rescue, stabilisation to extrication with a complete AST 1 & 4 day WAFA training with real life winter emergency scenarios.
By the end of this course you will:
Use the Avaluator to determine the additional planning and travel techniques needed to travel safely in (and identify) avalanche terrain
Be able to do a personal review of the avalanche danger rating at a local level
Use mountain travel techniques appropriate to avalanche conditions
Lead an autonomous companion rescue effectively
Provide patient protection, assessment, stabilisation & extrication
Learn multiple life saving & patient comfort methodology to apply in the wilderness
Certification : CAA AST1 + WMA WAFA
Pre-requirements : Intermediate off-piste
Note: WAFA can be subsequently upgraded to a WFR (80h wilderness first responder) with a bridge course.
AST 1 + W-CPR
**Scheduled - ** 2 days 09:00-17:00
Classroom - sessions included approx 2 hrs
Field days 2 - 16 hrs total
Who is it for - Recreationists - Skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, snow shoers & hikersA complete avalanche training from rescue, stabilisation to extrication with a complete AST 1 & 1 day Wilderness CPR (basic life support) training with real life winter emergency scenarios.
By the end of this course you will:
Use the Avaluator to determine the additional planning and travel techniques needed to travel safely in (and identify) avalanche terrain
Be able to do a personal review of the avalanche danger rating at a local level
Use mountain travel techniques appropriate to avalanche conditions
Lead an autonomous companion rescue effectively
Provide patient protection, assessment, basic life support & extrication in the back country
Certification : CAA AST1 + WMA Wilderness CPR (basic life support)
Pre-requirements : Intermediate off-piste
Custom / Corporate Training
On demand - 1 field dayBuild your skills accordingly to your goals. This training day will be designed jointly by our instructing team and you. Go beyond the standard Avalanche Canada programs to grow skills with mountain professionals: big terrain riding, mixed progression, expedition planning, etc..At the end of the day you will:
Efficiently plan and lead a tour
Review the basics of avalanche forecasting
Match your terrain selection to your goal
Select your gear accordingly to the tour you are planning
Elaborate a proper emergency and evacuation plan
Who is it for : riders who go out regularly
Pre-requirements : AST 1
Looking for a more immersive riding experience in the backcountry?
Check out our backcountry tours page.
Backcountry Tours
Register to participate on one of our tours matching your level below and unlock your door to the backcountry.Each of our tour delivers an educational component. We share with you critical points behind the decision-making process regarding various aspects of the tour: this is not infringing on a trade secret, it is our commitment to grow a safer and responsible backcountry community the mountains.All of this while delivering you the best lines on that day.
Directly check our availabilities online :
Rates (group of max. 5, contact us for larger groups) :
Looking for a more in-depth training program in avalanche safety?
Check out our training program page.
Purchase
Complete your registration by settling the payment for your training program or guided tour.
__AST 1+ and BC tour : __
1 online theory, 1 field day, 1 BC tour
Private & custom guided tour
1 field day
CRS and Advanced training
1 field day
Rentals
Avalanche safety pack
A 25-30L pack containing a transceiver, a probe and a shovel.
Split-board / Ski touring kit (inc. skins and poles)
A 3 piece set including a split-board or touring skis, skins and touring poles.
TOURING SET - Ski/Splitboard + AVI GEAR (Save 2,000 JPY!)
Rent a complete set of gear for 2 days including skis or splitboard & Avalanche Safety Pack
