 
mountain adventures
MOUNTAINEERING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
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Mountaineering, Climbing, and Skiing In The Canadian Rockies
This course is designed for folks new to backcountry skiing and is ideal as a primer before joining us on one of our longer trips. You'll spend a weekend in the mountains learning the basics of back country skiing: how to use your skis properly, how to use 'skins', how to travel on touring gear, powder ski tips, a very basic introduction to avalanche awareness and emergency preparedness. Sound like fun? It is! Yamnuska Backcountry Skiing Video (Windows Media Player required) COURSE DETAILSDates2007: December 14 - 16 2008: January 11 - 13, February 8 - 10 Price$275 CDN includes instruction. Cancellation insurance is available on booking for an extra $15. GST is extra.
More skiing: Yamnuska guides are also available for private ski tours after the program ... details . Meeting Time and PlaceThe program begins Friday at 7:30pm at the Yamnuska office on the first day. The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore. See this map for location. ObjectiveTo introduce participants to backcountry skiing through a better understanding of gear and the basic skills and practices required for safer and more enjoyable ski touring. Avalanche awareness will be touched upon, but it is strongly recommended that participants also take the Avalanche Awareness 1 course offered by Yamnuska.
Sample Course Agenda & Curriculum
Saturday 9:00am, field practice day, meet at designated trailhead.
Sunday 9.00am, ski tour, meet at designated trailhead
Guides & Group SizeOur instructors are certified professional ski guides who are licensed to operate in the backcountry. There will be a maximum of 8 participants per guide and a maximum of 16 participants on the course. The course will require 4 participants to run. Difficulty & PrerequisitesParticipants are required to be at least intermediate skiers on alpine or telemark gear (i.e. must feel comfortable on blue runs). Participants should be ‘hiking fit’. No prior backcountry skiing experience needed. TransportationParticipants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore which is a 1hour (100km) drive west from Calgary. During programs we rely on participants car pooling. If willing to help, share in a rental car or needing a ride please let us that know so we can put other participants in touch with you. Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. Greyhound Bus Lines (1 800 661 8747) serves Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway. Call 609 0300, 609 1490 or 609 8897 for taxis in Canmore. Accommodation & Meals
Food is not supplied. Each day bring plenty to drink and a lunch plus energy snacks. We particularly suggest bringing a Thermos and hot drink.
Equipment & ClothingYou will need to bring your own avalanche beacon, clothing, skis, poles, climbing skins and daypack. The equipment and clothing you bring will have a big impact upon the quality of your experience. Please be sure to bring all items listed. If unsure about anything please don't hesitate to call and ask us! SkisThere are two ski systems you can use: System 1: 'Alpine Touring' skis are essentially 'downhill skis' with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then 'locks down' to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background of downhill skiing who is not already an advanced telemark skier. System 2: 'Telemark' skis. These should only be used for this program if you are at least an advanced-intermediate telemark skier with some backcountry experience. This system is more difficult and less forgiving than the other. Which should you use? If you are a downhill skier then you should use ‘Alpine Touring’ gear. Only if you are already an advanced ‘Telemark’ skier should you bring ‘Telemark’ gear. Both types of gear can be rented in Canmore or Calgary prior to the course. Equipment ListYou need to bring:
Clothing ListWe suggest bringing light clothing of varying thicknesses that can be 'layered' to achieve comfort and versatility. The most important consideration for clothing is the ability to regulate temperature as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest and from the ascent to the descent.
Optional Equipment Yamnuska supplies but feel free to bring anyway:
Rental InformationSkis, Boots, Skins & Poles can be rented from:
Yamnuska has sleeping bags, avalanche beacons, shovels and probes for rent Rental Gear InsuranceThere is no charge for rescue in Kananaskis Country. In Banff National Park rescue is free so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass. You can obtain this on entry to the Park. It is wise, though to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident whilst here. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. Booking InformationPlease book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on booking. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation insurance ($15), this must accompany your payment.
For detailed booking instructions and
conditions, click here. PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO
CONTACT US IF
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Friday
7.30pm, meet at Yamnuska Office in Canmore.
These are your responsibility. There are
lots of options available including campgrounds, hostels, B'n'Bs, motels and
hotels! Check accommodation options on our 
Yamnuska Mountain
Adventures
