Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (AST 1)
Interested in taking an avalanche course in Japan? Black Diamond Tours has you covered. We’ve been providing courses in Japan for over 15 years, and we take great pride in providing the absolute highest standard in international avalanche education. That’s why every year, students come from all over Japan (and sometimes abroad) to take their course with us. BDT also offers all students free touring gear for the course and even a free cat skiing run at Chisenupuri!
Black Diamond Tours offers avalanche courses in Niseko, Hokkaido. As a certified AST training operation all of our courses follow the Avalanche Canada curriculum and are taught by certified AST Instructors.
AST 1 is a two day avalanche course designed to increase awareness and basic knowledge of traveling in avalanche terrain. At the end of the course participants will be able to recognize avalanche terrain, conduct various tests to determine snow stability, and should an avalanche occur, perform a self- rescue.
Both courses are highly recommended to recreational skiers and boarders who intend to ski/ride in off-piste, sidecountry, or backcountry terrain. These courses are recognized by Avalanche Canada and participants will receive a certificate upon completion.
Additional information on both courses can be found by visiting Avalanche Canada.
For Japanese courses, please click the link here.
2024/2025 Course Fees
Course Fee: 32,000 yen + 10% tax per person
*Locals discount of 4,600yen + 10% tax is available to all Japan residents. Please bring a valid foreign resident card or Japanese ID indicating your residency in Hokkaido to qualify.
Includes avalanche gear (beacon, probe, shovel, backpack), touring skis or splitboards, and one free cat bump at Chisenupuri!)
2024/2025 Course Dates & Location
Course Location: Black Diamond Tours Office
Dec 7 – 8 (Japanese Course)
Dec 9 – 10 (Japanese Course)
Dec 12 – 13 (FULL)
Dec 14 – 15 (FULL)
Dec 16 – 17 (FULL)
Mar 15 – 16 (Japanese Course)
Mar 17 – 18
Note: AST 1 certification is a prerequisite for AST 2.
Please email info@blackdiamondtours.com for more information on our courses.
*These courses are weather dependent and may be cancelled as per our standard terms and conditions. In particular, some snow is required to achieve the course objectives so early season courses may be cancelled if there is insufficient snow. In the event of cancellation, BDT will contact all registered participants and either reschedule or offer a full refund (less any unrecoverable transaction fees).
