The courses of the Backcountry Skills Clinics are designed as a lead-in or a complementary to our core avalanche safety education, the level 1 and level 2 courses. Our professional guides and avalanche instructors provide fun and well balanced group lessons taking care to also include personalized feedback to each participant.
Intro Touring & Avalanche Awareness
This introductory course provides the ideal learning environment for the first time backcountry traveler and is a great preparation for our Avalanche Level 1 course. During one full day, students are taught practical skills like gear selection and how to use it, clothing systems, food and hydration, uphill and downhill movement techniques. Furthermore, students learn a simplified approach to avalanche safety (topics: recognizing avalanche terrain, danger signs, where to obtain local avalanche and weather bulletins, what it takes to rescue a buried victim). Instead of the decision making framework of the level 1 and higher courses, students learn to minimize or avoid exposure to avalanche terrain.
2011/12 schedule: DEC 10 / JAN 2. 1 field day (location tbd) $145 per person (discount of $20 when signing up together with a level 1 course) - includes course booklet and additional hand-outs. Additional dates by private arrangement only - contact us for your custom designed private course.
Backcountry Ski Technique
Backcountry conditions vary greatly from hero snow to gnarly. This course teaches the techniques for all snow conditions and steep terrain. During a full day out in the backcountry, your ski instructor helps you improve your skiing level through personal pointers, logical progressions, helpful exercises and valuable insight. AT skiers, telemarkers and snowboarders welcome.
2011/12 schedule: DEC 16 / JAN 6 / FEB 3. 1 field day (location tbd) $145 per person (discount of $20 when signing up together with a level 1 course) - includes course booklet and additional hand-outs. Additional dates by private arrangement only - contact us for your custom designed private course.
Avalanche Rescue
Our Rescue clinic refines your technique to prepare you for the worst: avalanche and burial! Learn and/or refresh your companion rescue skills during this one-day field intensive and you’ll have the necessary skills to locate and dig up a fellow backcountry traveler should an avalanche accident occur. We cover the latest techniques of beacon searches, probing and effective extraction, how to time-effectively organize a group as well as evacuation with a field rescue-sled.
2011/12 schedule: DEC 17 / JAN 7. 1 field day (location tbd) $115 per person- includes hand-outs. Additional dates by private arrangement only - contact us for your custom designed private course.
Backcountry & Avalanche Refresher
Gaining experience managing avalanche and other risks is crucial for effective backcountry travel- this course will boost your confidence! While under the tutelage of one of our experienced guides, participants review and practice various avalanche safety and backcountry travel skills such as tour planning, observation techniques, track setting and route finding, terrain and group management, decision making and human factors, companion rescue. This course is perfect for those with prior avalanche safety knowledge.
2011/12 schedule: DEC 11 / JAN 3 / MAR 9. 1 field day (location tbd) $145 per person (discount of $20 with a level 1 or level 2 coupon). Additional dates by private arrangement only - contact us for your custom designed private course.
Sign up for 3 or more Backcountry Skills courses and receive a $30 discount per course!
