This 1 day outdoor course is designed for people who have advanced ski resort experience and want to get into backcountry skiing and splitboarding away from the crowds. It's a hands on course covering how to use backcountry specific gear including; avalanche rescue equipment, backcountry ski and splitboard bindings and skins, managing specific gear and transitions, along with uphill and downhill techniques and skills. After getting geared up at the store, the course is entirely in the field.
Skills and Learning Outcomes Covered:
- Use of appropriate backcountry gear-clothing, ski equipment, splitboard, packs.
- Intro to avalanche rescue gear-transceiver, probe, and shovel.
- How to read and interpret the local avalanche bulletin
- How to identify avalanche terrain
- Avalanche instability red flags
- Uphill travel techniques with climbing skins
- Managing gear and transitions
- Downhill skiing and splitboarding techniques in backcountry terrain.
Student Prerequisites:
Students must be in at least moderate physical condition and be able to travel in mountainous terrain on skis or splitboard for a full day. Snowshoes are not allowed on this course. Students must be able to ski or ride comfortably on advanced terrain at a ski resort and be able to link turns in a variety of snow conditions. No backcountry experience is required. This course is a prerequisite for an AIARE 1 Avalanche Course.
Course price includes the use of our Ortovox avalanche rescue gear (backpack, beacon, probe, and shovel). Backcountry ski and splitboard rentals are available through our shop-Tahoe Mountain Sports-at a discounted TMS rate.