Course Fee: $40

Participants must also attend pre-trip information session on January 10 at 6:00pm

This is full day and we will return to the city late Saturday evening. The dates and instructors are subject to change as we get closer to the course date.

If you are an intermediate skier who can ski 'blue' (intermediate) runs in bounds and want to try backcountry skiing, this trip is for you! Be sure to go to the ski hill at least once before the course so it is not your first time on skis this season.

It is not an avalanche course and no previous avalanche training is required. Your next step after taking this course is to take the Avalanche Skills Training course (AST 1).

On-line Registration process: once you register online, your name is automatically placed on the "Request List" for the organizer to process. Once the Organizer approves your registration, your name is placed on the "Waiting List" until your payment has been received either by cheque or PayPal/Credit Card (see below).  After payment has been received, your name will be placed on the "Confirmed List" and a confirmation email will be sent.  Note that course registration priority is on a first-come-first-served basis and your participation is NOT guaranteed until you have paid and your name is on the "Confirmed List"... so it's important that you pay the course fee ASAP after being notified that you are on the "Waiting List". 

Payment: PayPal/Credit Card payment is preferred and can be made through the BCMC website (click on the "Pay Now" button on the course description page -- You must be logged in on the website and your name must be on the "Waiting List" for the button to be visible on the course page). Alternatively, cheques should be made payable to British Columbia Mountaineering Club and mailed to PO Box 2674, Vancouver, BC V6B 3W8; Important Note: you MUST make arrangements with the organizer to keep a seat open for you while your cheque is in transit or your seat may be taken by someone else. Cancellation fees may apply in case of a cancellation by a participant.

What you will learn:

• Ski gear and how to use it (bindings heel lift, boots up-down mode, extendable poles)
• Taking care of your climbing skins
• How to dress to stay comfortable
• Beacon check and basics of winter safety
• Skin up technique
• Introduction to steep skinning technique
• Basic avalanche safety considerations
• Staying found and sound
• Answers to any other questions that you may have

What to bring:

• Backpack (30 litres should fit all you need)
• Backcountry skis with alpine touring (AT) bindings, telemark skis, or a split board
• Compatible boots
• Climbing skins
• Ski poles
• Beacon (check the batteries!)
• Shovel
• Probe
  [All of the above can be rented from Mountain Equipment Co-op]
• Warm layered clothes system: thermal underwear, thin fleece, thicker fleece/pile
• Water-resistant & windproof jacket & over pants
• Warm puffy jacket
• Two pairs of gloves, one pair should be mittens (bring hot shot packs if your hands are always cold)
• Toque
• Goggles
• Sunglasses
• Lunch, plus some snacks and drink for one day
• Water bottle
• A small Thermos with hot drink is recommended
• Headlamp and spare batteries
• Compass or GPS
• Matches/lighter
• Emergency blanket
• Whistle attached to your pack
• Knife or multi-tool
• First aid kit with blister care supplies

Transportation: we will car-pool from the meeting location. Participants will cover the car-pooling costs.