Intermediate Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Tour – New Hampshire
$295
Location - New Hampshire
Dates
January 19, 2022 - January 22, 2022 February 3, 2022 - February 6, 2022
Overview
You’ve started touring in the backcountry, taken your Avalanche Level 1, Rescue Course , or been on a Beginner Backcountry Ski Tour with us before and you’re ready to expand your knowledge and experience. Come ask questions, gain more experience, study the snowpack – all with a professional guide! This intermediate backcountry ski tour is designed to refresh your skills, and practice effective techniques with experienced backcountry ski mentors. Plus learn new updates in avalanche safety curriculum, technology, and case studies. Leave this course feeling refreshed, prepared for the backcountry ski season, and gain confidence in your backcountry skiing decision making all while connecting with a group of women who are as keen on backcountry skiing as you are!
The course starts with a review of major avalanche components for assessing stability, snowpack, weather, and terrain choices. We’ll do a quick gear check, and plan our tour based on the forecast.
We’ll be out touring and skiing in the backcountry all day! We’ll make avalanche hazard observations, travel on terrain suitable to the conditions and the group, review field stability tests and companion rescue techniques, and work on good communication strategies in the field. Bring your updated knowledge back to your ski partners, and be an awesome asset to your backcountry ski group this winter!
Duration: 1 Online Evening Session, 1 Full Tour Day
Activity Level: Moderate
Required Skill Level: You must have taken a Beginner Backcountry Tour or AIARE Level 1 before, and be comfortable descending ungroomed black terrain at the resort. Your skiing doesn’t have to be fast or look pretty, but we do need everyone to be comfortable skiing and riding in control and avoiding obstacles on the descent. You must also be able to hike several miles and comfortable spending time outside in inclement winter weather.
Course Dates:
Jan 19th Evening Online Session and Jan 22nd Field Day
Feb 3rd Evening Online Session and Feb 6th Field Day
About the Intermediate Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Tour
Schedule
Online Classroom Session
5:00pm - 7:00pm
We’ll meet for an online learning session with your instructor. Review the avalanche bulletin, discuss tour plan options, what to pack, and where to meet. Ask questions that you have been wondering since your Beginner Tour or Level 1 and elevate your backcountry learning curve!
All Day Field Day
8:00am - 3:00pm
Intermediate Backcountry Ski Tour
At the trailhead, learn more tips about how to use you ski bindings and skins efficiently. Ski together at a casual, comfortable pace. Ask your instructors about their route-finding techniques, discuss avalanche terrain, and discuss the snowpack. Practice finding the best snow, angles, and aspects and enjoy some well-deserved downhill.
What to Expect
- Practice using backcountry gear effectively
- Refresh avalanche hazard awareness & decision making
- Comfortable and fun learning atmosphere
- Attentive, experienced, & professionally-certified instructors
- Engaging online classroom and field session
- Appropriate and applicable avalanche safety knowledge
- Edifying practical experience to build confidence
- Joyful self-empowerment regarding safe backcountry travel & decision-making
- A great course to ask more questions since your Level 1 or Beginner Tour
- We’ll be skiing downhill on ungroomed snow. Must be comfortable avoiding unmarked obstacles and skiing in control on uneven snow. Your skiing doesn’t need to look good, but we do want you to have downhill skiing skills and survival ski skills (side slipping, wedging, traversing, etc.)
Gear Needed
- Backcountry skis or splitboard
- Ski poles
- Ski or snowboard boots
- Climbing skins
- Avalanche beacon, avalanche probe, avalanche shovel in good working order
- Backpack/daypack
- Outerwear and warm layers (hand warmers can be nice)
- Appropriate food & drink for the day
Please bring your own AT or splitboard set up. If needed Backcountry Babes offers a beacon, shovel, probe and Osprey backpack package for rent on a first-come, first-serve basis which you can reserve at checkout. For your convenience, your instructors will bring it to the field day for you.
– AT ski rental kits and Beacon/Shovel/Probe kits are available to rent from Northeast Mountaineering. Pick up and drop off your rental gear at their shop at 1054 Pinkham Notch Road, Glen, NH. Contact Corey at [email protected] to make arrangements and be sure to mention that you’re in a Backcountry Babes course.
– AT skis, splitboards, and Beacon/Shovel/Probe kits are all available to rent from Ski The Whites. Pickup and drop off your rental gear at their shop at 211 Main Street, Jackson, NH. Contact Andrew at 603-383-3142 to make arrangements and be sure to mention that you’re in a Backcountry Babes course.
Field Time
Classroom Time
Getting There
DRIVE: All potential touring locations are in and around the Mount Washington Valley but are subject to change based on weather and conditions. Your instructor(s) will update you with location information during your evening online session.
Backcountry Babes is an equal opportunity service provider and employer. Backcountry Babes operates under special use permit from the USDA Forest Service, White Mountain National Forest Ranger District.