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, we are planning to visit Whistler backcountry with a Backcountry Pass. For more information on the backcountry pass, click this link. We'll help you navigate the purchase at guest services if you don't have a season pass. The price isn't available for the upcoming season, but in the past it's run between $45 and $65
The classroom session will take place in person on November 24 at Myrtle Philip Elementary, 6195 Lorimer road (click for google maps pin) at 6:30pm. Directions for parking and meeting location: "The address is Myrtle Philip Elementary, 6195 Lorimer road. I dropped the pin where my actual classroom is. It is a portable classroom right by the bus loop with direct access into the room. They should not go in the main school building. People can not park in the bus loop though. Park in the main parking lot just past the bus loop then walk over to the portable. There are washrooms in the classroom."
The one-day field session will take place on Sunday December 6th. We will meet at 6:30am at the Cloudburst cafe in Squamish for carpooling to Whistler. We will then convoy to Whistler resort, get our passes sorted, and take an early lift up to visit a chalet to review our trip plan and access the backcountry to run our curriculum.
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
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 Sunday
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
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 and 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 a Whistler Backcountry Pass ($45-$65, or a season pass).
When answering the questions, please provide us with as much information as you can.
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
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)
Course fees will be applied to your account once we confirm that we will be able to run the course as planned.
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.