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Introduction to Ski Touring
Custom Pricing
Dates
- Custom trips available at anytime! Contact us to book.
Description
The Sierra Nevada backcountry during the winter and spring months is a truly enchanting realm, offering an experience entirely distinct from the summertime. The Sierra Nevada offers some of the finest spring skiing terrain found anywhere in the world, thanks to the breathtaking landscapes, and exhilarating skiing. This course is designed to give resort skiers and summer backpackers the skills necessary to ski in the winter and spring backcountry. Our three-day, two-night course is tailored to equip you with the necessary skills and confidence to explore all the Sierra has to offer.
The trip ventures into the lovely Glass Creek area north of Mammoth and west of Highway 395, just south of the June Mountain ski area. Here the snow-covered Glass Creek Meadow offers rolling terrain with beautiful vistas of high peaks, volcanic cones, and lava flows, and the opportunity to tour through the largest old-growth forests outside of designated Wilderness in the Eastern Sierra; an ideal place for your first winter camping experience.
Topics covered include:
- Campsite selection
- Snow camping tips and tricks
- Kitchen and cooking skills
- Skiing with an overnight pack
- Uphill skills and setting a track
- Backcountry ski skills: traverses, kick turns, downhill skills
- Avalanche awareness
- Staying comfortable in winter conditions
Prerequisites
This program is designed for intermediate or advanced alpine skiers. Participants should be in good physical condition. Prior backcountry ski experience and winter camping experience is not necessary.
Inclusions
Price includes meals, guiding, and permits. Does not include ski equipment- several local shops rent backcountry skis and splitboards.
Acclimatization & Physical Training
For proper acclimatization, we suggest spending at least one night at a moderate altitude, higher than 8,000 feet, just prior to the start of the journey. See our detailed tips on acclimatizing and physical training in the “Resources” tab.
The first day is spent ascending snowy old roads and traversing open slopes, eventually establishing our camp alongside the picturesque Glass Creek. During this ascent, we will delve into the fundamentals of skiing with a fully loaded pack, while also delving into the essential techniques of backcountry skiing, including the use of climbing skins and executing kick turns.
Two nights spent in the backcountry will provide ample opportunities to hone the invaluable skill of snow camping. For the remaining duration of the course, we will focus on refining our skiing abilities. This includes extensive practice on skiing with a pack, mastering icy traverses, becoming proficient in the use of avalanche beacons, and developing a well-rounded set of survival skiing skills.
Rental Equipment
We have rental equipment available at checkout.
Reviews
Michael, AIARE II
“Hey all! I recently took AIARE 2 with SP Parker and I have to admit it was fantastic! He showed so much passion for his craft and “patience” with us. It truly showed in the 3 days we spent together that he cares about what he does. He is so knowledgeable about snow science and in particular Eastern Sierra snow that I highly recommend participating in his course if you’re a frequenter of this magical mountain range. Can’t thank you enough and will most surely use the lessons learned in this course to be a more safe and conscious backcountry traveler.”
More Reviews
Aaron, AIARE Rescue
“Anouk was a terrific educator and guide during the avy rescue clinic- very experienced. Good natured and supportive. Expertly managed our group. We all got a ton of practice and had a nice day out in the field. I’ll be coming back for more avy training.”
Stefanos, AIARE I
“I got my avalanche education here (AIARE1). The team I met, Anouk, Tyler and Emma, is fantastic. I greatly appreciated their attitude and the experience they provided. Will be back for more soon.”
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