Backcountry Ski Guide Course
Hone your backcountry skills to a professional level by learning techniques used by internationally-certified (IFMGA) mountain guides. This course is open to the public, but you must meet the prerequisites. Held at Turnagain Pass.
Return to Skiing Overview.
Date
Two days in January or February. Date depends on interest.
Prerequisites
- Personal backcountry skiing gear
- Advanced inbounds downhill ability
- Intermediate to advanced backcountry skiing ability
- A strong interest to learn
- No guiding experience necessary
Topics Covered
- Tour planning
- Track setting
- Backcountry leadership
- Rapid stability assessment
- Down-guiding
- Field notebook
Cost
$450 per person, if 2 or more sign up.
Navigating in a whiteout. While GPS skills are important, map, altimeter and compass are still the roots of mountain navigation.
Building an emergency shelter for practice. Using the AMGA technique, we make a blizzard-proof shelter for three people in 25 minutes.
Noting time during a companion rescue drill.
Lowering over a steep edge to access the lower angle slopes below.
Guides are ready for all conditions in the field. Being prepared starts with a solid tour plan.