Canadian Mags: AST 2 vs Ski Ops. Level 1

[alberta_hoser]

Since I'll be spending a LOT more time in the backcountry this season than in past years, I'm looking to become more avy savvy. As a full time engineering student I only have one week available to take a course (ie I can't do both the AST 2 and Level 1 this winter) I took the RAC in 2006 (AST 1 equivalent) Here's the breakdown:
AST 2: The "next level" in avalanche training from the AST 1. Only 3 days long and significantly cheaper (~$500)
Avalanche Operations Level 1: The first step in "professional" avalanche education. Full week course & far more expensive ($1350 minimum)

Who has taken both? Is the Level 1 worth the added cost? Should I get my AST 2 out of the way before enrolling in the Level 1?

[neck beard]

Level 1 is all about gathering industry standard data so that you can become an employee in the industry. It is not solely structured around staying alive in avalanche terrain and aimed at recreationalist (though obviously it covers a lot of that material). You will become a trained snow observer and be able to get jobs using that industry skill. Digging standardised pits in representative locations, conducting standard tests, providing standard test results that can be trusted, taking standard Wx obs. You will be taught to conduct your work according to the CAA Operational Guideline and Recording Standards (for weather, snowpack and avalanches). OGRS for short. I've seen people take it who obviously thought it was an avalanche course and came out a bit confused.

I have not taken the AST 2, so no comment other than it is more designed to keep you alive in avalanche terrain as a recreational skier, but I have heard from some people that it is "dumbed down" (not my phrase) a little to facilitate decision making by those who may not normally be natural orderly decision makers. It is aimed at the wider population.

If you are an engineer, have an intellectual curiosity about how things work and can differentiate between data gathering training, and training that keeps you safe as a recreationalist, then I'd say do the Level 1 and enjoy the possibly redundant snow-observer training for what it is worth.

If you want to learn how to stay safe and nothing else, do the AST2. It is a good recreation skiers course that adds loads to the AST1.