What do I need to know to HOST a course?
“Course Hosts” will help Zac’s with details to register participants, promote the class, choose classroom facilities and field locations, recommend community services, hotels and help with other local details.
Classroom Details
The classroom exercises require:
- 3-4 large tables for the instructor and display materials
- a lockable room
- access to washroom facilities
- blinds or curtains to darken the room for slide shows
- 1 registration table/area
- tables and chairs for the students
If possible, we prefer to set up the evening prior to the class. We budget 1 hour for set up plus any time necessary to arrange tables & chairs.
Zac’s will supply a projector, 100” screen, and other audio-visual needs.
8:30 am Registration & Waivers
9:00 am Start
12:30 – 1:00 pm lunch- a course video will play over the lunch hour
5:30 Finish
7:30 – 9:30 pm Gear talk & video*
*This evening session is recommended although not required. There is NO EXTRA COST for the evening program.
Lunch
Lunch is typically ordered in (Pizza, Chinese…) or large pot of chili. The cost for lunch can be paid by the participant or factored into the course cost. If the group would prefer an extended lunch-hour, the classroom finish time can be moved to 6:00pm.
Coffee, water, juice, pop, muffins, donuts, etc. can be factored into the quote as well or arranged by the host.
Field Details
The ‘host’ will choose the field location and needs to be very familiar with it. We will arrive prior to the course to scout the riding area in order to prepare for the practical exercises.
To fulfill the AST course objectives it is important that we can view a variety of slopes and avalanche terrain, however, our working areas must be on low angle slopes, well away from avalanche path runouts… you don’t know how to dig us out yet!
Snow depth is important for pits but also makes the beacon searches and group rescue scenarios more realistic. The depth of burial and the angle of the beacon really impacts the pinpoint search. We have backpacks and dummies that are buried for the rescue exercises and it is alway good if we don’t find them by stepping on them!
Depending on the year and the location, a snowpit in November will likely not have many interesting layers. It is just a little too early to have built much of a history.
All participants must have beacons, probes, and shovels for the field work. We have a variety of equipment from different manufacturers that may be borrowed for the day.
Please arrange this ahead of time in order that all requests are filled.
8:00 am Meet at staging area
8:30 am Registered, student equipment signed out, ready to ride
12:30 – 1:00 pm lunch
5:30 Finish
*Goal – To arrive at the trucks before dark. A little more difficult to do in the early season!
When Choosing a Staging Area
To maximize teaching time and effectiveness a field location should be:
- close to town
- less than ½ hr sled ride from staging area to the work areas
- groomed trails are always appreciated!
- adequate parking for group
Snow Study Site
- short safe slope (just off groomed trail is fine)
- undisturbed by sled tracks
- snow depth over 1m or 4’
- free from all avalanche hazards
The Snow Study Site can be an area with wind blown snow. We have done a snowpit in only 10 inches of snow before! If the site allows, it is best to fit the entire group in one long pit across a single slope.
Rescue Scenarios and Beacon Exercise Site
During the beacon exercises it is necessary that the group is well spaced out, yet within visual distance of each other.
- wide open meadows (size of a football field)
- free from all avalanche hazards
- free from electrical interference
Lunch
Students are responsible to supply their own lunch during the field day. Do not depend on a fire. We often do not have time for this luxury. Yes….you did just hear a whip crack. ;-)
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