Courses
Backcountry Ski Clinics
For Beginning and Intermediate Skiiers
These clinics are designed to help you improve your backcountry skills and do a lot of great skiing at the same time.
The intermediate courses are based at the Trophy Mountain Cabin, where the fantastic combination of big mountains, steep slopes and deep powder will provide the perfect setting to hone your skiing.
Beginners' courses are based at the Fight Chalet, where we explore some of the best touring terrain in B.C. with plenty of vertical to ease you into the delights of the turning tour!
We guarantee that you will be overwhelmed with the vast beauty of either place you choose. The trips are 5 days and include your stay in the chalet, food, safety equipment, guide, and the helicopter in for the Fight Meadow trip.
MARCH 17 - 21, 2012 Five- day Trophy Mountain Backcountry ski trip and AST Level 1
Groups please inquire for dates and prices by either calling 1 888 754 8735 or email at info@skihike.com
Backcountry Clinics Itineraries and Equipment List available upon request
Avalanche Awareness Courses
GROUPS PLEASE CALL FOR DATE INQUIRIES
TROPHY CHALET - CLEARWATER, BC $250 +HST
A three-day course for anyone who wants to become more familiar with the avalanche-related risks of winter backcountry travel. The course offers an introduction to avalanche phenomena, terrain evaluation, route finding, slope stability, snow-pit evaluation and effective search and rescue techniques. Great as an introduction or as a review before the winter season. Price includes Friday evening lecture, Saturday and Sunday in the field, one nights accommodation in the chalet, main meals (but note that you should bring your own lunches), safety equipment and sno-cat to the trailhead.
Advanced courses groups available on request - please call for pricing!
Itineraries and Equipment Lists for the Recreational Avalanche Course available upon request
For more Information please call 1 888 754 8735 or email info@skihike.com
AST (AVALANCHE SAFETY TRAINING) LEVEL1 COURSE ITINERARY
INSTRUCTOR - Ian Eakins
LOCATION - Trophy Mountains, Wells Gray Park, B.C.
DURATION - Friday evening lecture with 2 field days in Trophy Mountain Chalet.
COST - $ 250 person plus HST Price includes two and a half days of instruction, avalanche book, snocat transportation to the trailhead, chalet accommodation, Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast (you provide your lunches) , and instructors.
COURSE OBJECTIVES- At the end of the course students should have an increased understanding of:
1) Avalanche phenomena, terrain evaluation and safe route finding.
2) Slope stability and snowpit evaluation.
3) Effective search and rescue techniques.
MEALS - Dinner and breakfast will be supplied by Wells Gray Chalets. You will be responsible for your own lunches. Fluid intake is important in the mountains so make sure that you bring a water bottle.
RESERVATIONS - The space on these courses is limited to 12 participants (1 instructor to 8 students). Advance reservations are recommended and a 50% deposit is required.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED -
* warm clothing that allows you to stand in the snow.
* telemark skis and bindings, alpine touring gear, or snowboards and snowshoes
* gaiters
* climbing skins are necessary (wax is not sufficient)
* two pencils and a notebook
* head lamp
* water bottle and sleeping bag liner or sheet.
* Personal toiletries and medications
* avalanche transceivers and shovels are provided.
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
* collapsible probe or life link ski poles
* snow crystal screen and hand lens (magnification about 8 x)
* ruler (greater than two meters long and folding)
* a snow saw or pruning saw
* inclinometer
* 9 meters of 3mm cord
COURSE OUTLINE
Friday Evening- 7:30 pm at the Wells Gray Hotel
Registration, introduction and paperwork
Formation and the nature of avalanches / Avalanche Terrain / Factors Affecting Snow Stability / Mountain Snow pack – Introduction / Winter Backcountry Travel / Assessing Avalanche Danger ‘ Safety Measures and Self Rescue- Transceivers /
Three videos and discussion
Slide show on route finding
Saturday-
Meet at Wells Gray Hotel at 8:00 AM
Drive to Snow Cat (CAT 1 Hour ride)
Ski into Trophy Chalet (2- 4 hours with single beacon search and check)
Ski to good observation area for: Terrain Recognition / Route Finding / Safe Travel
Snowpack evaluation:
Group pit - with burp test, shovel shear and rutchblock
Stability evaluation
Individual pit
Other snow evaluations such as hand shears, ski cutting convex rolls, ski triangles, observation of natural avalanches.
Go over equipment and technique
Impact of weather on snow stability
Sunday- At Trophy Mountain Chalet
AM - Proper search and rescue technique
Search and rescue scenarios
PM - Into field to do rescue simulation.
Clean Chalet and ski out to Cat
We will be at the vehicles at approximately 5:00 PM