This course is NOT for expert backcountry skiers. It is aimed at folks who are just getting started at ski touring. It is also NOT for absolute beginners or non skiers. It is a good idea to take a few lessons on a ski hill to hone your skills before this course as backcountry ski conditions can be very challenging if you do not have fundamental ski skills already.
Prerequesites:Can ski in control with a pack on all green run and some blue runs at a mountain ski resort.
AST 1 or RAC recommended.
The course starts on Friday using a ski hill (Sunshine typically) for rapid backcountry access. The course is a tiny bit more expensive because it includes a textbook plus a single lift pass up the Gondola so we get into better snow quickly on the first day.
The course begins right from how to put on your skins to how to set an up- track, do kick turns, step turns, get up when you fall, survival skiing and so on. It is normally three days long. This allows us to spend an appropriate amount of time working on skills.
One of the key reasons that people often have trouble getting started in ski touring is poor gear. To reduce this effect we do not allow any skinny skis on the course. Backcountry snow conditions dictate FAT skis for both A/T and telemark skiers. The width of the ski tip should be 100mm minimum (ideal is 100-120mm or more). Especially in the Rockies (the land of unconsolidated weak faceted snow) and in powder the wider the better. The skis should be short (160-190cm) single camber and soft flexing.
Instructor: The course will be taught by Cyril Shokoples, an internationally certified mountain guide. Cyril has been guiding and teaching with the Alpine Club for several years, and has acquired a reputation for teaching excellence.
Price: $330 / person includes gondola lift ticket and Backcountry Skiing textbook.
Required Items to Bring:
Wide skis, boots (AT or telemark), poles, skins, large day pack
Equipment
provided:
digital
avalanche
transceivers,
shovels,
probes
Notes:
meals
and
accommodations
are
the
responsibility
of
participants.
Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review our participant responsibility guidelines!
First 6 cheques recieved from participants with required prerequesites will be accepted.No cancellations or changes once you are moved to the participants list.Send cheques made out to ACC Calgary Section to : 65 Tararidge Close NE Calgary T3J 2P5
*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.
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Registration for this event closed on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 12:00 AM.