AST Course Equipment List

Touring gear

  • Alpine Touring skis (lightweight tech bindings recommended) & alpine touring boots OR splitboard & boots
  • Ski poles (with regular powder baskets). Splitboarders (optional): Compact / 3-part break-down poles that you can stash in your backpack for the ride down are best.
  • Climbing skins
  • Avalanche transceiver (Digital, with extra batteries)
  • Lightweight snow shovel
  • Avalanche probe
  • Backpack, 30 – 40 liters max, with outside straps to attach skis.
  • Repair kit / spare parts for your bindings (optional)

Clothing

  • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore Tex or similar)
  • Wind and waterproof over pants (Gore Tex or similar with integrated gaiters)
  • Down or synthetic insulated jacket (hood is optional)
  • Fleece jacket
  • Medium weight fleece shirt or vest
  • Synthetic or wool underwear, top and bottoms
  • 2 Pairs of gloves (lightweight and heavier weight)
  • Scarf, neck gaiter or bandanna
  • Socks: thicker outer (wool) and thinner liners
  • Wool or fleece hat, covering the ears
  • Sun hat, preferably with wide rim

course equipment

  • Write-in-the-rain book (or other waterproof note paper, for taking notes)
  • Mechanical pencil
  • Avaluator 2 cards
  • Optional: snow saw

Sundry items

  • Sun Glasses (with very good UV protection, extra pair is a good idea)
  • Sun screen and lip protection
  • Goggles
  • A 1 liter Water bottle, preferably insulated (bladders/bags not recommended due to freezing temperatures)
  • Headlamp with spare batteries
  • Small Blister kit
  • Lunch & snacks
  • Personal items (Prescription medicine, extra contact lenses and maintenance equipment, prescription glasses etc.)
  • Pocket knife or Leatherman tool
  • Zip-lock bag for wallet and other documents to keep them dry (recommended)
  • Camera, batteries (optional)
  • Skin wax (a small amount)

Emergency Plan and Equipment (carried by the guide)

  • There is no cell coverage; you do not need to bring your personal cell or smartphone
  • Emergency plan
  • SPOT emergency locating device
  • Satellite phone or VHF radio
  • Complete first-aid kit
  • Repair kit
  • Evacuation gear for injured people
  • Avalanche rescue gear
  • All maps of the area
  • GPS, compass and altimeter
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