BITS - Backcountry Intro to Skiing/Splitboarding - 2019/2020 Program - Friday, Nov 29, 2019

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up.
The Basics:
Event Type: Skiing 
Event Location: NA 
Date(s) & Time:   Friday, Nov 29, 2019 12:00 AM  
Registration Cut Off:   Saturday, Nov 23, 2019 12:00 AM  
Event Duration: NA 
Difficulty Rating:   D1 - See Conversion Chart  
Trip Coordinator(s):   Kate Snedeker
Tyler Hallman
 

Participant Info:
Who's Invited:   Members Only  
Attendee Screening:   Attendees are Pre-Screened
Maximum Group Size: 65
Maximum No. Guests: 0
Minimum Group Size: 3
Maximum No. Guests Per Member: 0
Number Registered So Far:   44 (View sign-ups, waiting list)
Are Dogs Permitted:   No

Itinerary:

Our registration has ended in order to give leaders a chance to organize their groups. We may be able to accommodate additional persons if there is space and leaders can accommodate them with regards to preparation and carpooling. If you are still on the waiting list, please submit your application & payment by Sunday November 24. You must submit your application, payment and be on the wait list in order to be placed in a group

Application form: LINK

Summary Doc for Participants: LINK

Payment link:

Presentation from intro session: LINK

You must be an ACC Calgary member to sign up, and it can take up to a week or longer for memberships to be process and access to the ACC Calgary calendar granted. So do that promptly, and still submit your registration & payment so we can get you on the list.

Backcountry Intro to Skiing/Splitboarding (BITS) -2019/2020 Program

Are you new to backcountry skiing?  Lacking experience, or intimidated by regular ACC Ski tours?  Maybe you a great skier, but new to the backcountry - this program is for you.  Maybe you are new(ish) to skiing in general - this program is for you... BITS will introduce you to the world of backcountry skiing and hopefully begin a lifetime of enjoyable winter memories.  

BITS is a peer led mentoring program consisting of an introductory classroom session followed by a series of beginner focused ski tours designed to help you progress as a backcountry skier.  Upon completion of the program participants should feel capable of attending a variety of easy and moderate ski trips with the ACC Calgary section.   

Program Dates/Events

  1. Intro Session (you only need to attend one of the intro sessions) - open to everyone
    1. Session 1 - Thursday Oct 24, 2019, 18:30 - 21:00 at MEC Downtown, Community Room
    2. Session 2 - Saturday Nov 2, 2019, 9:00am - 12:30pm at MEC Downtown, Community Room
    3. Presentation can be found at: LINK
  2. Ski/Splitboard Tour 1 - Sunday Dec 1, 2019
  3. Ski/Splitboard Tour 2 - Saturday Jan 11, 2020
  4. Ski/Splitboard Tour 3 - Saturday Feb 22, 2020
  5. Ski/Splitboard Tour 4 (we will only do Tour 4 if Tour 1, 2 or 3 is cancelled) - Saturday March 7, 2020

*Ski tour events will only be open to those who submit an application and make payment

Self Directed Learning - participants will be asked to complete several self directed learning exercises over the course of the program.

  1. Watching a series of Youtube videos with helpful hints on ski touring and powder skiing technique (~30 min)
  2. Reading Bruce Trempers book - Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain (~4 hrs)
  3. Completing Avalanche.ca online tutorial (~2 hrs)
  4. Trip planning prior to your events - navigation, weather, avalanche and group considerations (1-2 hrs per event)

Application

Everyone who wishes to participate in the program must submit an application, which can be found here: LINK.  You will need to download the file, open it with Excel or Google Spreadsheet, fill it out, save it, and send it back to kgsneds@mac.com. The application will be used to group participants into similar abilities for the ski tours, this will ensure everyone has a good time.

Cost

The cost of the program is $50.  These funds go toward supporting club activities, specifically training of BITS leaders and co- leaders.  Payment can be made via Paypal.  Once payment has been made please forward the receipt to the program coordinator at kgsneds@mac.com& nbsp;and tylerhallman@hotmail.com and they will add you to the program.

Process

  1. Sign up for the BITS program by signing up for this event
  2. Sign up for the intro session that is most convenient for you
  3. Complete application
  4. Make Payment
    1. You do not need to wait for approval to make payment.  Everyone who makes payment and submits an application will be accepted.
  5. You will be assigned to a group (A, B, C,...) and registered in 4 ski tour events (by Kate - BITS coordinator)
    1. If you cannot make any of the events please send an email to Kate at kgsneds@mac.coma nd your trip coordinator and inform them and please un-register yourself from that specific event. Do not unregister yourself from events you still plan on attending
  6. See the summary document for next steps and homework: LINK to SUMMARY DOC

Qualifications

  1. AST 1 or a plan to do AST 1 this winter
  2. Intermediate or better downhill ski ability - those who are beginner skiers are welcome to participate but will be limited in the destinations and type of trip
  3. Fair or better level of fitness - you should be able to complete a 10km hike

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Kate kgsneds@mac.com  ; AND Tyler at tylerhallman@hotmail.com 

 

Notes:

Application: LINK

Summary Doc for Participants: LINK


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our participant responsibility guidelines!

There are no refunds.
*Cancellation Policy*: If a participant is unable to attend a paid course or trip, there will be no refund unless the participant finds a suitable replacement that is acceptable to the trip coordinator. Acceptable waiting list candidates will have priority. It will then be the participant's responsibility to recover funds from the replacement. If the coordinator cancels an event, participants get a refund (less any non-recoverable costs). Note that ACC National does not refund hut fees due to weather, delay, closures, or any other reasons. The Calgary Section of the ACC is a not for profit club and we only charge attendees what it costs us to provide courses or trips.

Trip Feedback
If you have any feedback, positive or negative, concerning this trip or any other, we want to hear from you!
Click here to be directed to our "Contact Us" page and contact the appropriate Chair person or the Section Chair. This is also a simple way to make your section executive aware of any praises, suggestions or problems you may have with any area of the Calgary Section of the ACC.
Thank you for your response.

Registration for this event closed on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 12:00 AM.