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Do I need an official AIARE or AST level 1 course?

  • Eugene Miretsky
    2018-03-16 14:29:11

    Hi,

    We are looking to get into backcountry skiing, and want to take a course to learn the safty basics (we live in Toronto). We found a place in Lake Placid that offers instruction, but does't offer the offical course (I understand it has to do with AIARE fees and demand). My thought process is that we are taking the course to improve our skills, and the certificate is really just a way for AIARE and CAA to raise money for their operations. However, we are still debating if we should find a places that offeres the official course, our 2 main concers are:

    1) Would we be able to take the AST 2 course is the future (without AST 2) 2) Do any places require the certificate?

    Thanks!

  • Justin Bekker
    2018-03-19 11:33:38

    My opinion is that you are fine taking your unofficial course. And yes, you will be able to take an AST 2 without an AST 1 certification. I'm pretty confident that no places require any certification.
  • one4adventure
    2018-04-02 08:40:26

    Eugene,

    Sorry for the late response...

    As an AST instructor I would NOT recommend an unofficial course for a number of reasons, but the 2 biggest is the certification of the person teaching the course (who knows what their experience/certification is - they can tell you anything thing they want) and the fact that many meet-up groups, cat/heli operations, hut rentals require (or will require in the future) a minimum of AST 1 (or equivalent) and the certificate you receive at the end of your course is your proof... Add to the fact that (especially in America) if you take an unofficial course from someone, they are setting themselves up for a lawsuit if anything were to ever happen on that particular course (we have had people injure themselves on AST courses), or if something happens to you or someone else in the Backcountry in the future, it could come down to a BIG problem for you or them!

    Just my 2 cents

    Peter 
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