We are so stoked that you are excited to get into backcountry skiing and snowboarding, and we can’t wait to introduce you to the sport. The goal of this course is to give you the essential knowledge you need to join experienced companions on backcountry ski or snowboard trips. This is a volunteer-run course. Your instructors are knowledgeable and experienced, but are not professional guides.
Intro to ski touring and splitboarding is a 1.5 day course, consisting of an indoor classroom session and a field day. For the field day, you must be prepared to get yourself to the Red Heather Trailhead, which requires a vehicle with chains.
- The classroom session will take place online on January 21st from 7:00 to 9:00pm. Accepted participants will be sent a link to the virtual meeting.
- The one-day field session will take place on Saturday January 24th. We will meet at 7:00am at the Cloudburst cafe in Squamish for a pre-trip meeting. We will then convoy to the Red Heather parking lot where we will begin our field session. We anticipate returning to the vehicles by 4:00 pm.
Note that you must be able to attend both sessions. By registering for this event, you are registering for both sessions.
See the full participant information package here
Topics Covered in the Intro to Ski Touring and Splitboarding Course
The classroom session will cover:
- Introductions and goals for the program
- Ski touring and split boarding equipment (we will review the gear list and answer any questions you have about what to bring for the field day)
- Essential information about avalanches and other dangers that might be encountered in the backcountry
- Overview of avalanche companion rescue
- Review the plan for Saturday
The field session will cover:
- Pre-trip meeting
- Trailhead checks
- Companion rescue practice
- Practice setting a skin track
- Observations about the weather, snow and terrain
- Some skiing!
- Debrief session and discussion about your next steps
Prerequisites
Participants will be screened for this course. Everyone who signs up for this course is expected to have:
- Intermediate or better downhill ski or snowboard abilities. This means that you can confidently link turns with your skis parallel on ski/ride blue runs on the resort in any conditions (groomed or ungroomed), and black runs when the conditions are good. Experience tree skiing (glades) is ideal.
- The fitness to hike uphill with a large day pack for 2-3 hours with minimal breaks, and to be active outside for 8 hours.
- The ability to get to the Red Heather Trailhead (chains are required).
When answering the questions, please provide us with as much information as you can.
Required Gear
It is recommended that rent your gear for the course, as we will be discussing what to look for when making gear purchases as part of the course. If you are renting gear, please make arrangements as soon as possible, as the stores often sell out quickly.
- Avalanche transceiver (modern 3-antenna)
- Probe
- Shovel
- Skis/splitboard with touring bindings
- Boots that fit your bindings (and your feet!)
- Skins that are cut to fit your skis/split board
- Poles (collapsible poles for split boarding)
- Large daypack for carrying all your gear (35L+)
- Helmet
- Goggles
- Sunglasses (if it is sunny, you will want sunglasses), sunscreen and lip balm
- Shell layers (i.e. goretex jacket and pants)
- Base layers (tights and longsleeve)
- Insulating layers appropriate to conditions (i.e. a puffy coat)
- Lightweight gloves (i.e. liner gloves)
- Warm gloves or mitts
- Jacket and gloves you don’t mind getting dirty when you help put on chains. A large garbage bag is also recommended
- Headlamp
- 10 essentials
- Bring Lunch and snacks for the field day
- Water bottle (minimum 1L, note that hydration packs are not appropriate for winter conditions)
- Thermos with a hot beverage (optional, but nice on cold days)
- Vehicle capable of getting to the Red Heather Trailhead - this requires chains.
Important Information
- Course fees will be applied to your account once we confirm that we will be able to run the course as planned.
- Please ensure that you are able to get yourself to the Red Heather Trailhead (at least the lower lot), either in your own vehicle or by signing up with a friend.
Instructors
Remember, we're not guides or avalanche professionals, rather, we are experienced and knowledgeable recreationalists who are excited to help you get into backcountry skiing and split boarding as safely as possible.