Introduction to Backcountry Uphill Travel on Skis - Meany Lodge

Leader's notes

This experience is for those looking to improve their backcountry skiing skills, especially those relatively new to the activity.   Instructors have considerable experience in the backcountry on Alpine Touring gear, and we will tailor the class to meet the desires and abilities of students.

Prerequisites: Students should bring Alpine Touring (AT) gear (skis & bindings, boots, poles, skins) and be at least strong intermediate skiers with some experience skiing in broken or new snow.  

Class focus: the essential skills needed for skinning up the hill, including efficient movement,  turning techniques, ideal track angle, route selection, and good ways to transition between uphill and downhill modes.  We’ll also cover gear issues such as: boots, what to bring in your pack, skin fit, ski width, binding pros and cons, and ski crampons (bring if you have).  

Some time is spent coaching techniques for skiing the snow conditions and terrain found in the backcountry, and, depending on conditions, the slopes at Meany can be ideal for this.  In the course of the day participants will experience the slopes, rustic lodge and friendly community of the oldest continuously operating ski area in Washington State.  And optionally,  there may be opportunity to learn to safely ride the rope tows for a few lift-serviced runs.  

Logistics: We will end by 5 pm, and we expect to be back at the cars by 6pm.  Bring a headlamp and the ten essentials.  This is a trip into the mountains.  Meany Lodge is available to us as a warm and dry respite if the weather is truly terrible.  We typically run the class rain or shine.

Split-boards:  Split-boarders are welcome!  However, none of the instructors are split-boarders, so there are elements of gear and riding for which we can't offer guidance.  However, many fundamentals of skinning uphill are the same for both skiers and split-boarders, and many split-boarders have taken this class and reported learning lots.

The fee for the class includes a copy of the book  Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering, by Volken, Schell and Wheeler, published by The Mountaineers.

More information about Meany Lodge, including our COVID-19 mitigation strategies, is available on the Winter Weekends page