Chase powder.
Build skills.
Embark on a season-long journey through British Columbia’s backcountry with like-minded skiers and riders who are passionate about exploring beyond resort boundaries.
✓ season-long progression
✓ mentorship
✓ community & adventure
This mentorship program spans an entire winter season, offering you the opportunity to track and analyze the evolving snowpack, deepen your understanding of avalanche terrain, and refine your decision-making skills. Designed to be the next step after an avalanche training course, this program aims to get you out skiing in the mountains and participating in the decision making.
With 9 guided field days and 5 online sessions, you will improve your technical abilities as well as form lasting connections with your fellow skiers and experienced guides.
What you will learn
- Fine-tune your backcountry gear setup: discussions on what to pack and what to leave behind
- Refresh and perfect your avalanche rescue techniques with feedback from a professional.
- Master the art of tour planning: Learn to use weather and avalanche forecasts, terrain analysis, and the daily process to select safe and rewarding ski objectives.
- A chance to learn and observe how experienced guides moves through the mountains in response to changing conditions.
- Improve your skinning techniques, including efficient kick turns.
- Practice the art of how to set an effective and safe skin track.
- Continue to develop your downhill movement in various snow types, from deep powder to crust.
- Challenge yourself on steeper slopes, tight trees, couloirs, and extended ascents.
- Experience the thrill of skiing a new and challenging line, applying your newfound skills in classic British Columbia terrain.
- Build experience and become a reliable and supportive backcountry partner.
- Foster teamwork, stay fit, explore new terrain, and relish the joy of being immersed in the mountain environment.
How does it work?
This course continues your training for the challenges of backcountry skiing while also strengthening your connection with the ski touring community, offering mentorship and growth throughout an entire winter season.
The program is structured to encourage personal ski-touring days between our guided field sessions, fostering an environment where you can apply the skills you’ve learned and follow up with feedback and further instruction.
Dates
01
Meet & greet
November 15, 2024
We’ll gather in person to get acquainted and review our equipment. This day is dedicated to delving into the details of our backcountry ski equipment, ensuring we are fully prepared to make the most of our guided field days.
02
wells gray
December 18-21, 2024
A three-night, four-day, catered backcountry hut trip in Wells Gray Provincial Park. This trip offers us an opportunity to get to know each other, refresh our rescue skills, and strengthen foundational ski touring skill such as track setting, trip planning, and navigation.
03
rogers pass
February 5-6, 2025
After having some time for personal ski days in January, we will reconvene for two days of ski touring the the Revelstoke or Rogers Pass area. Here, we’ll focus on managing more challenging avalanche terrain while aiming to ski some classic descents in the area.
04
south coast
April 15-17, 2025
For our final three field days, we’ll head to the South Coast region with the goal of skiing in more complex and expansive terrain. This trip will be the culmination of a season’s worth of training and mentorship, with participants using the skills they’ve honed throughout the season.
In addition to these field sessions, we will hold monthly online meetups to discuss current snowpack conditions in the region, provide feedback on trip plans for personal ski days, and continue developing our navigation and trip planning skills.
Is this course for you?
This program is tailored for beginner to intermediate backcountry skiers who possess advanced downhill ski ability. This is not a course for learning how to ski, but rather a chance to work on your touring specific skills and increase your confidence in the backcountry. If you’ve recently completed an avalanche course and are seeking ways to further develop your trip-planning and decision-making skills, this course is designed for you.
Ski Ability
You are comfortable making parallel turns in advanced terrain at a ski hill (black runs) and have the ability to stop/slow down, turn, and traverse/side-slip out of areas you find challenging.
Experience
You should have a few days of prior backcountry skiing experience and be familiar with your own equipment.
Previous Training
You should have completed an AST1(or be registered for one before our December field days) or possess equivalent experience.
Fitness
You should be in good aerobic shape, as you will be skinning uphill for many hours each day. You will be skiing with a pack containing your lunch, water, avalanche safety gear, and spare clothing plus group gear. Not sure where you are at? Reach out and ask!
Equipment
You should be familiar with your personal equipment. We strongly recommend that you have worn your ski boots in to avoid blisters. Everyone is responsible for bringing spare parts for their own setup
Splitboarders
You are comfortable linking turns in advanced terrain at a ski hill(black runs) and can traverse out of areas that are challenging. You should also be comfortable skiing downhill for short sections in split mode.
What is included?
- 9 days of guided skiing across 3 sessions (December, February, April)
- Mentorship by a certified ACMG Ski Guide
- 3 nights’ accommodation and food while at Trophy Hut
- Helicopter supply flight to Trophy Hut
- Snowcat ride to the trailhead for Trophy Hut
- 5 monthly online sessions (December-April)
What is NOT included?
- Transportation to and from locations (Clearwater, Revelstoke, Whistler)
- Accommodation and meals during the Rogers Pass and Whistler sessions
- Lift tickets (if necessary)
- Personal equipment
- National Parks Pass
- Trip Cancellation & Rescue Insurance
price
$2,845 CAD
(all taxes included)
Only 8 spots available!
If you have taken an AST course with Colwest Alpine Adventures in the last 5 years – or are signed up for one this winter – there’s a $100 discount in it for you as a thank you for being part of our community. To activate this discount contact Linus via email or the contact form here on the website!
What to expect in a day
December
600-800 meters of elevation gain per day.
Approximately 5-6 hours.
February
800-1200 meters of elevation gain per day.
Approximately 6-8 hours.
April
1000-1500 meters of elevation gain per day.
Approximately 7-10 hours.
During our field days we will spend a majority of the available daylight hours outside in the mountains. It is important to the success of the program that you honestly assess your own skill and fitness level before registering.
Enrollment details
A minimum of 5 participants is required for the program to proceed. If enrollment is below this number, an amended program may be offered.
To secure your spot in the Ski Touring Course, a $750 non-refundable deposit is required. The final payment is due by October 15, 2024. Prior to registering, you must read and agree to our CANCELLATION POLICY and complete our PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT.
Before any trip, you will be required to sign a RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS, AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT. Please ensure you take the time to read and sign this waiver.