Lodge-based AST2 course at Journeyman Lodge
Simply the best AST2 course on the planet with gourmet meals, après snacks and new touring buddies
SOLD OUT
Overview
We have booked out 4 nights at the incredible Journeyman Lodge in the Callaghan Valley for 8 lucky guests in January 2022. Following a classroom day in Whistler on the 13th , you’ll head up to the Journeyman Lodge on the 14th for an epic 4 night stay, immersed in the backcountry, learning terrain choice, avalanche safety, backcountry travel and much more from your private ACMG qualified guide. Once the AST2 curriculum is done, your crew will enjoy a final day of private guiding from the lodge, shredding the deep and endless backcountry terrain surrounding your backcountry paradise.
Location
Located just south of Whistler in the remote Callaghan Valley, and about an hour’s drive from North Vancouver, the staging area for the lodge is easy to find. From there you will be transferred to the lodge itself, by snow-cat or snowmobile.
Itinerary
January 13th: Indoor classroom day in Whistler to go over the curriculum and theory for the days ahead. Everyone will sign waivers and the guide will review what you covered in your AST1 before starting on the course theory. The day will include a short morning and afternoon break as well as a lunch break. The day will end with a debrief along with homework, some handouts and a resources list.
January 14th: You will drive yourselves up to the Journeyman Lodge staging area (directions will be provided), approximately 20 minutes south of Whistler village. Here, you will be driven to the lodge by snowmobile, snow-cat or 4×4. You will unpack, brief and head out and start the outside (skiing!) portion of the AST2 in the epic backcountry on your doorstep.
January 15th and 16th: Your guide will lead a short briefing (discussing current conditions and weather) and have everyone perform a gear check. From there you will head up the mountain to apply the skills you learned in the classroom. The days will end at approximately 4:30pm with “homework” and a debrief with a beer by the fireplace, followed by a sauna and stretch.
January 17th: Guided free-skiing day, putting your skills to use and skiing the epic terrain surrounding the Journeyman lodge.
January 18th: Early wake up and pack down before a final hearty breakfast. It is likley that you’ll have the opportunity to ski with your guide for one final morning before departing the lodge.
Terrain at Journeyman Lodge
There is a bit of everything here, which is one of the reasons we chose Journeyman Lodge for this AST2 course. There is more than 9,000 hectares of terrain accessible from the lodge, with glaciated summits on three sides of the lodge. Terrain ranges from high alpine bowls and glacier skiing to glades, pillows and rolling powder hills. The lodge itself is located in a microclimate, away from the warmer, heavier temperatures of Whistler, and tends to get much drier, fluffier champagne powder, despite being so close to the coast.
Cost and inclusions
CAD$2,700+ GST per person (4 twin beds and 3 queen beds available at a $150 surcharge)
- 13 January – Classroom-based day in Whistler
- 14-16 January – AST-2 course in the field (stay at Journeyman Lodge)
- 17 January – Guided touring day (stay at Journeyman Lodge)
- 18 January – Depart Journeyman Lodge (potential ski time in the morning)
- 4 days of meals at the lodge (breakfast, bagged lunch, après-ski snack and 3 course dinner each night) cooked by the lodge chef
- 4.5 days of ski guiding, 1 day of classroom time
- Cozy and comfortable accommodation at Journeyman Lodge (mix of twin and queen sleeping nooks)
- AST2 certification
- Transport to and from the staging area (Callaghan Valley)
