Backcountry Courses
Backcountry Courses
Avalanche Training Courses and More
Our ACMG certified guides lead daily and weekend backcountry courses throughout the winter, near Nelson, BC, Rogers Pass and elsewhere in Western Canada. Explore our diverse range of programs below or reach out to us for further details.
Beyond Avalanche Safety Training
Because backcountry learning never stops.
Congratulations on completing your AST 2! If you’re hungry for more backcountry education, our Advanced Backcountry Skills Course is tailor-made for you.
In this intensive program, we focus on fortifying the skills you acquired in your Avalanche Safety Training Levels one and two, taking your backcountry expertise to the next level. Operating within a small group setting of 4-6 students, you’ll have the opportunity to refine your decision-making process, enhance communication skills, and master terrain management techniques.
Prepare to dive deep into advanced companion rescue strategies, including alternative transceiver search techniques and managing complex scenarios such as multiple burials. With hands-on guidance from experienced ACMG guides, you’ll gain the confidence to navigate challenging backcountry rescue scenarios with skill and precision.
In this course, you’ll take the reins in big terrain, making critical decisions about route selection and tour planning under the watchful eye of our experienced ACMG guides. Whether it’s assessing snow conditions, identifying hazards, or strategizing navigation routes, you’ll have the opportunity to put your skills to the test in real-world scenarios.
Breaking trail with real-time instruction is a fundamental component of our program, ensuring you’re equipped to tackle even the most challenging terrain with confidence. This supportive learning environment fosters open communication and collaboration among group members, creating an enriching and dynamic educational experience.
With morning and afternoon meetings, everyone will have the chance to contribute to the planning process, ensuring that each day’s adventures are tailored to the group’s collective goals and objectives.
Join us for the Advanced Backcountry Skills Course and elevate your backcountry prowess to new heights. With a focus on hands-on learning and real-world application, this program is designed to empower you to tackle any backcountry challenge with confidence and competence.
6:1 Student to Guide Ratio
- 4 Full Field Days
- Different Locations Each Day
Price: $999
January 4-7, 2025
(This can be run as a shorter two day course for half the price. Please inquire for options.)
Ski Mountaineering / Splitboard Mountaineering Course and Basecamp
April 3-7, 2025
Flying from Golden, BC to a remote location (To be Decided, based on conditions.) The camp will be set up in a venue that will provide excellent access to big, glaciated, north facing terrain—the key elements for an incredible spring ski and splitboard trip.
This camp is designed to operate as a backcountry course format, whereby participants will learn navigation, rope management, improve their decision making process, develop a stronger sense of terrain/group management and generally become more well rounded mountain travellers in big terrain.
This a small group trip with a 4:1 client to guide ratio.
-Heli flights included
-Two ACMG Guides
-Eight spaces available
Price $2885+5%tax
Itinerary
April 2-, 2025– Meet in Golden, BC. Welcome dinner and meet and greet your trip companions.
April 3- Fly into camp location, set up camp, avalanche safety briefing and warm up ski.
April 4-7-Ski objectives around the camp.
April 7- Breakdown camp and fly back to Golden.
Curriculum
Our ski mountaineering course offers a dynamic curriculum tailored to adapt to varying snow and weather conditions. While each session is unique, key topics remain constant throughout the program, ensuring comprehensive skill development.
Participants will engage with a diverse range of subjects, including avalanche awareness, winter medical considerations, and emergency response protocols. Trip planning, equipment essentials, and glacier travel techniques are also covered extensively. We’ll also cover fundamental rope skills for safely accessing steep terrain.
With a strong emphasis on safety and preparedness, students learn essential snow shelter construction and mountain weather interpretation skills. Navigation, route planning, and decision-making processes are honed to equip participants with the confidence to navigate challenging terrain.
Furthermore, our course delves into ski techniques optimized for powder and variable conditions, alongside track setting methodologies. Practical ski tours are integral to the learning experience, offering opportunities for participants to lead climbs, solve route finding puzzles, and revel in the thrill of successful descents.
Join us in mastering the art of ski mountaineering amidst the stunning backdrop of the Columbia Mountains. This course will ensure you’re primed for unforgettable experiences and safe, rewarding descents.
Companion Rescue
Practice is being a good partner
Join us for an immersive one-day intensive course, meticulously crafted to sharpen your companion rescue skills and prepare you for potential emergencies in the backcountry.
In a small group setting, you’ll delve into advanced transceiver search techniques, mastering the art of swiftly locating buried companions with precision and efficiency. We’ll also explore missing skier search techniques, equipping you with the skills to navigate challenging scenarios with confidence and clarity.
Navigate the complexities of tree well immersion extraction as we provide hands-on training in this critical rescue skill. From understanding the mechanics of tree well incidents to executing effective extrication maneuvers, you’ll gain invaluable insights into mitigating this hidden hazard.
Our course goes beyond the basics, delving into advanced avalanche companion rescue techniques that can make all the difference in a high-stakes situation. Learn how to orchestrate seamless rescue operations, utilizing alternative search methods and strategies to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
Additionally, we’ll cover essential topics such as rescue toboggans and helicopter landing zone considerations, ensuring you’re well-prepared to coordinate emergency response efforts in diverse backcountry environments.
Elevate your rescue capabilities and bolster your confidence in the face of adversity with our one-day intensive companion rescue course. Secure your spot today and empower yourself to handle any backcountry emergency with skill and composure.
Cost: $175/person
Dates: November 23, 30, 2024
Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Travel Course
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of glaciers while prioritizing safety with our crevasse rescue and glacier travel course led by experienced ACMG guides. Delve deeper into glacier travel techniques, terrain assessment, and essential rope management and rescue skills.
Under the guidance of our expert instructors, participants gain invaluable insights into navigating glaciated terrain. Learn how to assess glacier hazards, identify safe routes, and effectively rope up for glacier travel.
Safety is paramount, and our course places a strong emphasis on crevasse rescue techniques. Gain the confidence and proficiency to execute timely and effective rescue operations in the event of a crevasse fall, ensuring the safety of yourself and your companions.
Join us for an immersive learning experience that combines practical skill-building with backcountryh skiing and splitboarding. Whether you’re a novice seeking to expand your skills or an experienced adventurer looking to refine your techniques, our glacier travel course offers a comprehensive and safe learning environment.
Course schedule:
Day 1- Glacier morphology, Crevasse rescue systems and snow anchors
Day 2- Glacier travel in Rogers Pass. We’ll get to practice putting the rope on and moving through glaciated terrain.
Location: Revelstoke/ Rogers Pass
Price: $375+GST
Max six participants
Dates:
December 7,8
December 14,15
December 21,22, 2024
Alternative dates are available upon request if you have a group of three or more.
Backcountry Navigation
How to get to the goods
Our backcountry navigation course is designed to equip you with the essential skills for both digital and analogue exploration.
In a world inundated with digital mapping apps and software, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lost amidst the sea of options. From Gaia to Caltopo, Google Earth to FATMAP, each platform offers unique features and functionalities, but navigating them effectively requires a solid understanding of the fundamentals.
Our course bridges the gap between digital and analogue backcountry navigation, empowering you to harness the full potential of both mediums. You’ll learn to build digital and analogue route plans, leveraging the strengths of each to create comprehensive and efficient navigation strategies.
Gain hands-on experience in creating your own maps, unlocking the power to tailor your navigation tools to suit your specific needs and preferences. Understand how different mapping products integrate and complement each other, allowing you to seamlessly transition between platforms with ease.
We recognize the enduring importance of analogue navigation skills in an increasingly digital world. That’s why our course also covers the fundamentals of map and compass navigation, ensuring you have the knowledge and confidence to navigate confidently in any environment.
Whether you’re a seasoned explorer looking to expand your horizons or a newcomer eager to venture into uncharted territory, our backcountry navigation course provides the essential tools and techniques to unlock a world of possibilities.
Course Format
Two 1.5 hr Google Meetings
One Field Day
Max six students
Dates
October 20, 2024
November 9, 2024
Price
$250+ GST
Skin Track Management
How to put in a great skin track
We will spend two days in the backcountry learning and practicing how to put in safe and efficient skin tracks.
Course Focal Points
- Utilizing terrain to maximize flow and safety
- Group management techniques to minimize exposure to hazard
- Setting a consistent grade while maintaining climbing efficiency
- Kick turns
- Managing steep terrain and how to contour around it
- Bootpacks
- White out navigation
- Tips for hard snow
Course Dates and Price
January 4,5 2025
$350 + GST
Max 4:1 ratio
Prerequisites
- AST 2, or equivalent experience
- Strong ski/splitboard movement skills
- Relative comfort in complex terrain
- The ability to break trail in deep snow.
Intro to Ski / Splitboard Mountaineering
Backcountry Education will take you higher.
This is a three day program designed for folks who are ready to take their skiing to the next level. We will spend two days learning the skills needed to access, and enter lines you’ve dreamt about riding. This will include the rope and gear management skills needed to build safe anchors, rappel, belay your partners and more. This course will have a 3:1 student to guide ratio.
WHAT TO BRING
- Backcountry ski or snowboard set up
- Advanced riding skills
- AST 1 (minimum)
- Adventure stoke
DATES AND RATES
- $725/pp.
- March 21-23, 2025, April 11-13, 2025
Custom dates are available.
Custom Backcountry Courses
Drop in to the knowledge you seek.
We cater to all levels of backcountry enthusiasts. If you have something in particular you’d like to learn, drop us a line. We’d be happy to create a custom backountry course for your group.
Here are a few ideas:
- Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Travel
- Companion Rescue- Multiple burial scenarios. Patient care and extrication.
- Backcountry Tune-ups. Refresh your skills and learn something new at the same time.
- Winter Camping
- Traverse Planning, what to bring and what to eat.
- Avalanche Terrain Management
Cost
Starting at $175/person/day + GST
Book Today
Get in touch and start the journey.
