Introduction to Backcountry Skiing
Are you an expert skier at the resorts and looking to take adventure to the next level? Our backcountry ski skills course is jammed packed with necessary skills to get you shredding the pow out of bounds and away from the lines. Skiing the backcountry is about freedom and adventure. Out here, you earn your turns - but as you will discover the uphill travel is just as rewarding as the downhill descent.
Participants need to be competent skiing intermediate [blue] terrain at their local ski hill. The outdoor portion of this course may be held in a gladed zone or similar. If conditions do not allow for backcountry skiing, we may also head to one of the local ski hills with an uphill policy.
IMPORTANT BETA
CLIMB DETAILS
Length: 8-10 Hours
Guide-to-Client Ratio: 1:4
Difficulty: Based on Experience: Ages 10+
When: December - April
Type: Backcountry Skiing
Type: Mostly Educational
Note: This ski course is focused on uphill travel and easy to moderate ski descents. We are unlikely to enter avalanche terrain.
PRICING
1 person: $375
2 people: $300pp
3 people: $275pp
4 people: $250pp
RENTAL GEAR
Most of the required equipment [listed below] - including Avalanche Transceiver, probe and shovel - is available for rent from our affiliate mtnGEAR. NEM climbers will receive an exclusive discount of 20% discount on all rental equipment and clothing.
Visit mtnGEAR for Rental Prices
AT skis and Splitboards can be rented from Ski The Whites or Gorham Bike and Ski
BE INFORMED. BE PREPARED.
Itinerary
Backcountry Ski Skills
- Meet at The Bunkhouse at 8am
- 8-9am: Check in and gear check
- 10am-3pm: Ski Skills
- 4pm: Departure
Skills Taught
- Proper techniques for effective and efficient uphill and downhill travel
- Proper skinning techniques and uphill travel
- Avalanche awareness brief & beacon searches
- Sound transitions
- Downhill etiquette and sound decision making
What To Wear
PLEASE BRING THESE ITEMS WITH YOU FROM HOME
When selecting clothing for your adventure, think layers. Choose synthetic materials, wool, or fleece.
The saying is "Cotton Kills." It will absorb sweat and then freeze - increasing the chances of hypothermia.
Please Bring the Following Items. |
Guides Pick |
[ ] Base Layer Top and Bottom: Long-sleeve wool or synthetic top will be used as your base layer. Zip-neck styles will allow for better temperature regulation. | Smartwool Men's NTS Mid 250 Top Smartwool Men's NTS Mid 250 Bottom Smartwool Women's NTS Mid 250 Top Smartwool Women's NTS Mid 250 Bottom |
[ ] Socks Wool or Synthetic | Darn Tough |
Snow pants will suffice instead of soft shell climbing pants and if you have insulating layers and jackets we recommend that you bring them. There will be time to sort through what you should bring and what you leave behind.
Mandatory Gear List
RENTALS AVAILABLE AT CLIMBINGRENTALS.COM
Most of the required equipment [listed below] is available for rent from our affiliate mtnGEAR.
NEM climbers will receive an exclusive discount of 20% discount on all rental equipment and clothing.
Mandatory Items |
Guides Pick |
[ ] Pack with Waist Strap: A 20-30L pack is the recommended size for one day tours. Your pack MUST have a waist strap. A backpack will not suffice. | Black Diamond Dawn Patrol |
[ ] Crampons: 10-12 point adjustable crampons designed for ice climbing | Black Diamond Cyborg |
[ ] Ice Axe: Designed for mountaineering or ski touring | Camp Cassin X All Mountain |
[ ] Helmet: A skiing helmet. | Smith Vantage Smith Vantage [W] |
[ ] Warm Hat: Wool or synthetic. It should be warm and thin enough to fit underneath a climbing helmet. | OR Gradient Hat |
[ ] Buff/Neck Gaiter: Buff makes the best option. | Buff Merino Wool |
[ ] Ball Hat/Sun Hat: Optional. A lightweight ball cap or sun hat. | |
[ ] Sun Glasses: A pair of dark-lensed sunglasses with side shields or full wrap-type sunglasses. | Julbo Tamang |
[ ] Goggles: Goggles designed for skiing. | Julbo Airflux |
[ ] Lightweight glove: One pair of fleece gloves. | OR Sensor OR Catalyzer [W] |
[ ] Medium Weight Glove: Wind/water resistant insulated mountain gloves. | OR Ambit OR Ambit [W] |
[ ] Heavy Insulated Mitten: Wind/water resistant, insulated mittens for protection against wind, snow and cold. These also serve as emergency back-ups if you drop or lose a glove. | OR High Camp OR Highcamp [W] |
[ ] Light Insulating Layer/Soft Shell Top: A fleece or other insulation layer. | Arcteryx Gamma MX Hoody Arcteryx Gamma MX Hoody [W] |
[ ]Hard Shell Jacket with Hood: Wind/rain Proof. Gore-Tex recommended. | Arcteryx Beta LT Arcteryx Beta SL [W] |
[ ] Insulated Parka: This item becomes of highest importance when we are faced with poor weather. This should be an expeditionary-type heavy parka that extends well below the waist and above the knees. Goose down is recommended versus synthetic fill. It does not have to be waterproof, but that is a nice feature. The parka is worn primarily at rest breaks on summit day and as an emergency garment if needed. When sizing a parka, allow for several layers to be worn underneath; buy it large. The parka must have an insulated hood. | OR Incandescent Arcteryx Cerium LT [W] |
[ ] Skiing Pants: Synthetic skiing pants offer a wide range of versatility. You can wear them alone on hot days, or in combination with the base layer on cold days. The thickness (insulation quality) should be based on how well you do in the cold. For most of our adventures snow pants will suffice. | OR Trailbreaker OR Trailbreaker [W] |
[ ] Touring Ski Boots: Designed for alpine touring and backcountry skiing. Allow for easy walking and click in for downhill travel. | Dynafit TLT7 Expedition Dynafit TLT7 Expedition [W] |
[ ] Ski Poles: Collapsible trekking poles. | Black Diamond Ergo Cork |
[ ] Headlamp | Petzl Reactik |
[ ] Avalanche Beacon | Ortovox 3+ |
[ ] Avalanche Probe | Ortovox 240 HD PFA |
[ ] Avalanche Shovel | Ortovox Beast |
[ ] Ski Skins Cut and sized for your skis. | G3 Alpinist |
FAQ's
Do I need any prior experience?
No, but to make the transition to the backcountry you must be a black diamond skier at the resorts minimum.
What happens if the weather doesn't cooperate?
We usually will go out in the rain and snow. Lightning will reschedule or end our course. Please plan for all weather conditions. We may just alter the plan based on the weather forecast.
Am I supposed to tip my guide(s)?
Tips are never expected, however if you think your guide did a great job, tips are welcomed and appreciated. A normal tip is 20% of the guide fees or $20 per guide per day.
Can I rent the gear that I do not own?
Most of the required equipment is available for rent from our affiliate mtnGEAR. NEM climbers will receive an exclusive discount of 20% discount on all rental equipment and clothing. We do not carry AT skiing setups. You will need to secure them from a local shop.
What are 'Touring Boots'?
These are ski boots designed for ski touring and backcountry skiing. They have functionalities that make skinning more enjoyable.
Where should I stay?
We recommend The Bunkhouse at Northeast Mountaineering. For your convenience, we offer co-ed, hostel-style accommodations on site. The cost is $45 per person. To maximize your climbing experience, we recommend that you stay in the area the night before your program.
How do I find out when and where to meet?
Upon completion of your registration you will get a confirmation email with a link to all the pertinent information. You will be asked to secure your rental equipment and read through the welcome information to be prepared and on time for your course.
Worried about avalanches? AIARE 1 Course should help ease the tension. Not Ready? Contact Us for a recommendation.
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