Course Goals:

1. Fundamental Skills Development:
   Participants will learn essential ski mountaineering techniques, including basic crampon / ice axe techniques and effective movement.

2. Terrain Familiarization:
   Students will gain an understanding of when and where to deploy crampons & axe based on the terrain you’re currently in.

3. Equipment Proficiency:

   Become familiar with the your specific kit and how it relates to ski mountaineering and learn how to properly use and maintain them so your kit works well throughout the day.

4. Risk Management:
   Continually identifying and managing risks associated with ski mountaineering, including team dynamics, avalanche awareness, weather conditions, and terrain hazards.

Course Outcomes:

1. Skill Acquisition:
   By the end of the course, participants will have gained proficiency in fundamental ski mountaineering skills, including navigating uphill and downhill on varied terrain.

2. Independent Planning:
   Participants will develop the ability to plan and execute a simple ski mountaineering outing, including route selection, equipment considerations, and risk assessment.

3. Enhanced Awareness:
   Students will leave the course with a heightened awareness of environmental and safety considerations, equipping them to make informed decisions in the backcountry.

This structured approach ensures that participants leave the course with a baseline set of skills and knowledge to safely begin pursuing their own ski mountaineering objectives.

Two evenings before course:

6:00 - 6:30pm: Live zoom meeting. Here we'll do a basic introduction and lay out expectations for the day. We'll also do a gear check so we can get on the trail to our venue in the morning.

Morning of course

7:30am: Meet your guide at the trailhead. Here we'll do introductions and go over the plan for the day.

8:00am: Begin touring up to the appropriate learning venue for the day. Here we will begin coaching and demonstrating different ski mountaineering skills.

12:00pm: Break for a light lunch and refuel to prepare for the second half of the day.

3:30 - 4:00pm: Arrive back at the trailhead and we'll do a formal debrief to cap off the day.

This is a welcoming & friendly intro course: No previous ski mountaineering experience required. We start at a baseline and methodically move up from there.

Competence with backcountry ski and splitboard equipment: Must have experience walking uphill with skis or a splitboard on your feet.

Advanced skier or rider: Should be able to cleanly ride a double black diamond in bounds at the ski area.

Solid Fitness Level: We will spend a majority of the day moving uphill with loaded backpacks. You should be able to cover 1,500 - 3,500 ft of vertical gain throughout the day.

Included:

• Friendly AMGA trained ski & splitboard guides.

• Applicable recreation and/or forest service permits.

• Group rescue gear, first aid, rescue sled, GPS/Satellite phone.

• Waste Disposal Bags in compliance with “Leave No Trace” principles.

Not Included:

• Ski/splitboard touring equipment.

• Avalanche equipment, ice axe, crampons

• Food

• Transportation

• Guide Gratuities