Backcountry Skiing Courses
Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding
Also called Ski and Snowboard Mountaineering, this course is designed for intermediate level skiers who want to learn how to safely ski in the backcountry and avoid avalanche danger. Discover the freedom and thrill of skiing untracked powder snow in the backcountry. Extend your ski season by skiing all year-long on the slopes high above the lift areas. The course covers topics like mountain weather, emergency bivy and equipment repair, winter navigation, and camping.Some courses involving snow travel will automatically enroll you as a student in Avalanche Awareness or AIARE Level 1.
Typically offered
Ski and Snowboard Mountaineering is offered in mid November by our Foothills Branch with the option of including the AIARE course. Backcountry skiing is offered in January by the Everett Branch. Both open for registration in mid fall and cover similar curriculum.
BADGES YOU CAN EARN
GLACIER SKIING/SNOWBOARDING & crevasse Rescue
This course is for those with competent backcountry skiing or snowboarding skills who desire to safely travel on glaciers and to perform crevasse rescues. You must be able to ski or board the equivalent of an ungroomed single black diamond slope with a weighted day pack whose weight is the equivalent of a glacier rope and crevasse rescue gear. This course includes workshops, optional practices and a 2-day, weekend field trip at Mt. Rainier where students will practice roped travel and crevasse rescues.
TYPICALLY OFFERED
In April by our Seattle branch. Registration generally begins in February.
Badges you can earn
Mount Baker Telemark & Radonee Ski Camp
A weekend seminar focused on telemark and radonee skiing. The course works on refining skills in the lift area but also includes opportunities to try some off-piste skills using the Mount Baker ski area where it is ungroomed. Participants usually stay at Baker Lodge.
Typically offered
In February or March depending on the snow year. Registration generally opens in January.