Intro to Backcountry Skiing

Dates Price Meeting Details Objective Agenda & Curriculum Instructors & Group Size Difficulty & Prerequisites Transport Local Accommodation & Meals Equipment & Clothing Insurance Book this Course

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)

printer friendly version

Winter 2010/2011 Program Dates:

December 10 - 12; January 7 - 9; February 4 - 6.

Price

$295 CDN includes instruction. Cancellation insurance is available on booking for an extra $15. GST is extra.

Currency Exchange Calculator

More skiing: Yamnuska guides are also available for private ski tours after the program ... details .

Meeting Time and Place

The program begins Friday at 7:30pm at the Yamnuska office. The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore. See this map for location.

Objective

To 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 Skills Training 1 course offered by Yamnuska.

backcountry skiing

Sample Course Agenda & Curriculum

Friday: 7:30pm, meet at Yamnuska Office in Canmore.

Course introduction and briefing
Gear for backcountry skiing (lecture & discussion)
Safety in the backcountry (lecture & discussion)
Planning a backcountry ski trip (lecture & discussion)
Plan Saturday Field trip (map, weather, avalanche conditions)
Gear check
Finish by 10.00pm

Saturday: 9:00am, field day, meet at designated trailhead.

Avalanche beacon practice and check
Equipment familiarization
Trail breaking & track setting
Uphill turns
Ski Techniques
Avalanche rescue practice
Return to Canmore office
Plan ski tour for Sunday

Sunday 9.00am, ski tour, meet at designated trailhead

Participants will carry out the ski tour they planned the previous evening with the coaching and supervision of their instructors
Finish tour by 5.00pm
Wrap up course, return to Canmore

Guides & Group Size

Our 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. There will be a minimum of 4 participants on this program.

Difficulty & Prerequisites

Participants 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.

Transportation

Participants 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

Backcountry Ski Touring These are your responsibility. There are lots of options available including campgrounds, hostels, B'n'Bs, motels and hotels! Check accommodation options on our links page for our recommendations. The Alpine Club Clubhouse (403 678 3200) is a good hostel here in Canmore with nice facilities and reasonable prices.

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 & Clothing

You 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!

Skis

There 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 List

You need to bring:

Skis We recommend a short (160 - 185cm) wide ski designed for powder
Climbing skins 'Stick-on type'
Ski Poles
Ski boots
Ski Helmet (optional)
Daypack (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & equipment)
Sunglasses and ski goggles
Thermos flask and water bottle.
Sun block & Lip Cream
Pocket knife
Small Flashlight or Headlamp with fresh batteries
Small Blister & 1st-Aid Kit
Camera
Family FRS radio (short range, multi frequency) (optional)

Clothing List

We 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.

Polypro underwear (top & bottom)
Warm pants (nylon blend, insulated or fleece)
Warm shirt (not cotton)
Medium weight fleece sweater
Fleece Jacket
Light insulated jacket or vest
Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or nylon)
Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex or nylon, with side zippers)
Socks (wool outer & polypro liner), several sets
Wool or fleece hat
Waterproof ski mountaineering gloves or mitts
Neck tube
Sunhat

Optional Equipment

Yamnuska supplies but feel free to bring anyway:

Avalanche beacon
Collapsible Avalanche Probe
Avalanche Shovel
Snow Study Kit

Rental Information

Skis, Boots, Skins & Poles can be rented from:

Canmore: Gear Up - (403 678-1636)
Banff: Mountain Magic - 224 Bear St. (Tel: 403 762-2591)
Calgary: M.E.C. - 830-10 Ave. S.W. Calgary (Tel: 403 363-0122)

Insurance

There 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 Information

Please 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.

Detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.