Your adventure begins in the mountain town of Nelson, British Columbia, where you’ll meet your guide and fellow participants (1 PM). After a brief orientation and gear check, you’ll board a helicopter and fly into the heart of the Purcell Mountains. The flight itself is stunning, offering your first aerial views of the remote wilderness you’ll soon be skiing. Upon arrival at Purcell Mountain Lodge, you’ll settle into your cozy room and receive a tour of the lodge. In the evening, you’ll have your first classroom session, introducing the Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 (AST2) curriculum. Afterward, enjoy a hearty dinner with the group and review the plans for the following day.

The day begins with a morning classroom session focusing on the fundamentals of snow science, avalanche terrain recognition, and the influence of weather on avalanche conditions. After lunch, you’ll step into your skis for the first time as you head out into the field. Today’s touring is paired with hands-on training in companion rescue techniques, probing, and transceiver searches. Back at the lodge in the evening, the group debriefs the day’s learnings, followed by a delicious dinner and a preview of tomorrow’s objectives.

Today you head deeper into the surrounding terrain for a full day of ski touring. With your guide, you’ll begin to apply your avalanche knowledge in real-time, making observations, interpreting snow conditions, and discussing safe route choices. Along the way, you’ll continue developing skills in terrain analysis, risk assessment, and group management. The experience builds both your confidence and your ability to make decisions in complex environments. The evening is spent reviewing the avalanche bulletin and planning for the next day’s outing.

Day four emphasizes snowpack analysis. You’ll tour into a new area and spend time digging snow pits, performing hand shear tests, and logging snow profiles. These skills allow you to understand the layering of snow and its implications for stability. With guidance, you’ll learn how to interpret these findings in the context of current conditions and avalanche forecasts. The evening features a group discussion comparing observations and assessing how they influence route planning.

With a solid foundation established, you’ll begin taking more initiative today. Under the supervision of your guide, you’ll participate in planning and leading the day’s tour. This might include selecting terrain, managing group travel, and navigating using map and compass or GPS. The focus is on fostering autonomy while reinforcing safety protocols. In the evening, the group gathers to reflect on the day’s decisions, discuss risk communication, and explore how to effectively manage group dynamics in the backcountry.

Today you’ll venture farther afield into more remote and adventurous terrain. The touring may involve longer ascents and thrilling powder descents through bowls and glades. By now, you’re actively integrating everything you’ve learned—terrain reading, hazard identification, and group travel strategies. It’s a rewarding day of skiing that balances challenge, beauty, and learning. The evening is more relaxed, with time to enjoy the camaraderie of the group over a fireside dinner.

This is your culminating day of backcountry touring. The group collaborates to design and execute a comprehensive ski tour, incorporating all aspects of the AST2 curriculum. Your guide remains available to support and provide feedback, but the decisions are primarily yours. It’s a chance to test your skills in real conditions and see how much you’ve progressed. After returning to the lodge, the group celebrates with a final dinner, followed by the presentation of AST2 certificates and a heartfelt trip debrief.

On your final morning in the Purcells, you’ll enjoy a shorter half-day ski tour—an opportunity to soak in the views and savor your final turns in the pristine powder. After returning to the lodge and packing up, the helicopter arrives to fly you back to Nelson. As you lift off and look down on the snowy peaks, you leave with not just unforgettable memories, but a deeper understanding of mountain travel and avalanche safety (6 PM).