Frozen Pirates AST 1 - Awesome!!

[Popsiclestand]

Our group had the chance to participate in Frozen Pirates AST 1 course this past weekend...

They hold the course over three days, with the class room portion in the evenings (6PM-10PM @ the best western) makes it great as you can still get some riding in vs sitting in a classroom all day. Two nights of classroom followed by a full field day.

Our instructor Marshall was extremely knowledgeable as well as an accredited avalanche professional. Marshall lives for snow science and you could tell through the passion in which he taught the course. He made the course as engaging as he could and really kept everyone involved.

On the field day, we had Marshall and tail guide Jay, the scenarios they ran us through felt about as real as possible...complete with that stomach drop panic feeling at times. It really forced you to draw on your knowledge of what you had learned in the course, and work together as a group much as it could occur in a real avalanche situation. They also had us dig a full snow pit and showcased the column tests and what they mean in regards to our choice of terrain to ride on that particular day. They really emphasized on spatial variability which can be key to a sledder given the amount of terrain we can travel in a day. Not to mention the beacon training and practice.

We had taken another AST 1 with another well known safety provider and I must say I feel that Frozen Pirates set the standard of what a AST course should be. I'd highly recommend Frozen Pirates to anyone considering a AST course...we know we'll be doing AST 2 next year to further our education.

Job well done Curtis/Marshall and the rest of the boys!

Ben

 

[maxwell]

 

[Catman10]

I took the coarse last year with Curtis and it was life changing, anyone that is remotely thinking about it should book this now as it will give you knowledge and life saving skills that you only thought you knew. There is no substitute for this coarse and I also believe that practicing on the hill randomly will only keep things sharp, remember people your life is in other riders hands and theirs in yours, get educated so that if something does happen you can do the best of your ability to save a life instead of wasting valuable time wondering what to do. It will be a very long time before I forget how terrible our group did in the first test of our abilities, basically turned into a body recovery not a rescue, never have I been more humbled in my life! By the end of the day we ALL improved drastically and thanks to Curtis for kicking our asses so that we would do so, no sugar coating it boys and girls if you haven't done this coarse it is a MUST.

 

[Depsnolvr]

Wow Ben, From the Frozen Pirate team, thank you very much for the kind words. Super stoked that you seem to have gotten a lot out of the class. Just by your message above and the words chosen, I can see you will be an asset to your group and others on the mountain!,

Thanks again!

Our group had the chance to participate in Frozen Pirates AST 1 course this past weekend...

They hold the course over three days, with the class room portion in the evenings (6PM-10PM @ the best western) makes it great as you can still get some riding in vs sitting in a classroom all day. Two nights of classroom followed by a full field day.

Our instructor Marshall was extremely knowledgeable as well as an accredited avalanche professional. Marshall lives for snow science and you could tell through the passion in which he taught the course. He made the course as engaging as he could and really kept everyone involved.

On the field day, we had Marshall and tail guide Jay, the scenarios they ran us through felt about as real as possible...complete with that stomach drop panic feeling at times. It really forced you to draw on your knowledge of what you had learned in the course, and work together as a group much as it could occur in a real avalanche situation. They also had us dig a full snow pit and showcased the column tests and what they mean in regards to our choice of terrain to ride on that particular day. They really emphasized on spatial variability which can be key to a sledder given the amount of terrain we can travel in a day. Not to mention the beacon training and practice.

We had taken another AST 1 with another well known safety provider and I must say I feel that Frozen Pirates set the standard of what a AST course should be. I'd highly recommend Frozen Pirates to anyone considering a AST course...we know we'll be doing AST 2 next year to further our education.

Job well done Curtis/Marshall and the rest of the boys!

Ben

 

[canuck5]

We took a course with Curtis a few years ago as well and I agree it's how a course should be very knowledgeable lives it himself daily and passes the info onto people. I seen in Valemount there is even signs out now did you Check Avy conditions, do you have a trip plan ect, on the trail up Alan Creek all things that are making the Alpine safer for people forcing them to think of these things.