Back Country Ski Touring 101
Want to expand your horizons beyond the golf courses and touring centers? Come learn how to explore the winter backcountry on skis. We will cover how to travel efficiently on ungroomed trails over rolling terrain and how to control speed by turning and stopping on modest hills. General back country safety will be addressed. Expect to be outdoors playing in the snow on skis for 4+ hours each day and ski 2-4 miles. Be prepared to ski with a day pack. Participants should be comfortable skiing on groomed terrain, preferably with some off-track experience.
Gear requirements: metal edged b/c or xc skis, adjustable length or xc poles & sturdy b/c or xc boots & appropriate bindings (NNN BC or sturdy 75mm).*
Intermediate Back Country Ski Touring
Ready to explore the wilderness for the day and go where you want with confidence? Spend the day in the woods to improve your skills including turning, stopping, climbing, trip planning and navigation. We'll be outdoors for about 5 hours each day skiing and learning on various terrain with your full day pack. Students are expected to already be comfortable skiing on groomed terrain and have some off-trail skiing experience.
Gear requirements: Full metal edged b/c skis, adjustable length poles & sturdy b/c boots & matching bindings.*
*NOTE: Participants in the “101” and Intermediate sections will be evaluated for their on-snow abilities Saturday morning and will be placed in groups of similar abilities. This is done to enhance the participants learning experience and for the overall safety of the group.
Down Mountain Backcountry Skiing/Riding
Tired of the crowded lift served areas? Leave them behind and explore the solitude of the backcountry. This course is intended for the down mountain skier or rider who wants to jump the gap from the lift served area and “side” country to the backcountry. This is not a “learn to ski/ride” clinic but rather how to apply your front-country/lift-serve skiing and riding skills to the backcountry on down-mountain trails.
Participants in this section MUST be in good physical condition and be proficient skiers or riders – able to readily ski Black Diamond rated trails at lift service areas on the gear they will be using in this workshop!
Strategies for skiing on backcountry terrain in New England "Powdah" (less than optimum snow conditions) will be reviewed. Be prepared to spend 6+ hours per day outside on the snow and to ski with a pack on narrow, possibly icy, down mountain trails [read: rocks/stumps/branches!!!]
Gear requirements: Metal-edged skis, split board (or snowshoes and a regular board), appropriate boots and correctly-adjusted bindings and pre-fitted climbing skins are required and we expect participants to be familiar with their use. Helmets, Eye Protection, and Knee Pads are STRONGLY recommended!
For more information see the Winter School Ski Courses FAQ.
Rev. 7/31/14 stt