Program Objectives:
To develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence required to safely participate in overnight backcountry ski trips. The program will include 1 evening seminar and 2 weekends spent on overnight ski trips in the mountains. The seminar will be held on the evening of January 25 and the program will run on the weekends of February 5 & 6 and 12 & 13.

Program topics:
Clothing and equipment, trip planning, winter camping, route and snowpack evaluation, avalanche awareness, transceiver use and self-rescue, winter mountain travel and weather evaluation.

This program does not cover glacier travel or first aid.

Cost for the program is $150.

For whom:
Strong downhill skiers with previous summer or winter backcountry camping experience,
And/or:
Experienced backcountry skiers who want to gain experience on overnight winter trips.

Prerequisites:
Open to all BCMC members (new and current) in good physical heath and fitness who are able to confidently ski ?blue? (intermediate) runs with an overnight (15kg) pack.

Note that this is not a program on how to ski ? the program group will be relying on you to be at least a confident intermediate skier!

Equipment Required:
Backcountry ski equipment (skis, boots, poles & skins), shovel, avalanche transceiver, and overnight camping gear. Group gear such as tents and stoves will be organized at the pre-trip evening seminar.