Progression BACKCOUNTRY CLINIC

This course is developed to take skills obtained in our Introduction to Backcountry Ski & Splitboarding and AST 1 to the next level. Aimed around skiers and splitboarders who have been out in the backcountry a number of times and are looking to refine their movement skills, sharpen their risk assessment abilities, and overall, make themselves greater assets to their touring partners.

Participants will cement their foundation while honing critical skills under the supervision and mentorship of a certified guide. Both theoretical and practical (in-the field) skills are mentored.

A clinic is not a course, it is building and refining skills so that they are applied in an efficient and effective manner, which then leads to a strong structured foundation for a safe, rewarding trip and rapid future progression.

Ideally, you have already completed your AST1 course or have comparable touring experience.

It is important that you to have intermediate to advanced ski or splitboarding skills in various conditions and are in good physical shape. It’s advantageous to have your own backcountry equipment and be well-versed in its function.

We highly recommend after this course signing up for our AST 2 Course before heading into more advanced terrain.

Lift Ticket: If you do NOT currently possess a valid Whistler Blackcomb lift ticket (Seasons Pass, Spirit Pass, Edge Card, Epic Pass, etc.), you may buy a Lift Ticket through our office at checkout.

Day 1: will be held in Whislter exploring the diverse terrain beyond the resort. Meet at 8:30am sharp!

Homework & Pre-Trip Planning:

Participants are provided the next day’s location and asked to construct a pre-trip plan utilizing the MSAA Trip Planner, Avalanche Forecast, Weather and other recommended resources with a maximum exercise target time of 30 minutes to finalize the plan.

Morning Meeting & Day Plan:

Participants meet, go through this day’s avalanche hazard, snow conditions and the trip plan with a maximum meeting target time of 30 minutes. The day is organized as a mission, with the participants fulfilling the mission’s objectives such as testing the snowpack, finding the best snow and slope, confirming a slope is safe to ski down, recognizing changes in conditions and so forth.

Foundational Skills Performance:

After routine trailhead procedures (checking transceivers and equipment), students alternate leads implementing the trip plan and undertaking the clinic’s technical objectives (curriculum). Best snow and safest conditions, explore and implement the plan, what to avoid, indicator runs, snowpack tests, conditions changes

Rentals/Purchase:

If you require rentals we have teamed up with local rental companies to provide discounted rentals. Visit our rental page HERE for more information!

Clothing (Dress appropriately for the conditions):

• Weatherproof shell jacket and pants
• Down or synthetic insulated jacket
• Mid layer fleece top
• Insulating top and bottom under layers and socks
• Warm hat/toque and balaclava
• 2 pairs of gloves
• Sunglasses and sunscreen

Equipment:

• Lift Pass
• Backpack-25-35 Litres
• Alpine touring skis/splitboard, skins, bindings, and boots
• Avalanche Safety Kit (transceiver, shovel, probe)
• Helmet
• Poles
• First Aid Kit with blister kit
• Rite in the Rain notebook and pencil (optional)
• Map, compass, GPS (optional)
• Lunch, snacks, and water

Course Topics Covered:

• Hazard identification accuracy; rating / type / layer / location / trigger / mitigation

• Safe, efficient, conservative approach, quality ski terrain identification, best; snow, aspects, elevation, incline, terrain type (anchors, trees or open, supported/unsupported) to ski/ride

• Snowpack Problems & Hazard Identification/Investigation/Mitigation Performance
• Downhill ski/riding Performance
• Human factors