Intro to Backcountry A/T Skiing

INTRO TO BACKCOUNTRY A/T SKIING

Are you interested in backcountry skiing, but don’t know where to start? Hesitant to invest in gear and training before you try it out? If you aspire to “earn your turns” up a quiet skin track, make perfect kick turns and enjoy untouched snow back down, here’s your answer!

This new ski program is the perfect opportunity to learn how to have a great day in the backcountry. We will focus on how to use modern A/T (Alpine/Touring) equipment, touch upon the basic principles of avalanche safety, terrain management, backcountry travel & preparedness, and how to use an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe. We will spend most of our time skiing and skinning outside on the snow. This program is perfect for those who have always wanted to see what it’s like to ski on their own outside of the resort!

Details:

Dates Offered:
Saturday, January 27
Saturday, February 10
Sunday, February 25
Saturday, March 24
Saturday, March 31
*additional tour dates may be available for groups of 2 or more! Please inquire.

Duration: The program begins at 8:30 am and ends around 2-3 pm. The round trip distance is about 3-4 miles. We can spend more/less time/distance in the backcountry if the group wants to! Terrain difficulty and tour length will be determined by group consensus.

Optional Pre-Tour Check In: Snow Mountain Ranch offers many options for lodging & meals during your visit. *dinner not included in tour price.

Meeting Place:  Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center

Price:  $129 per person

Ages:  13 and up

Ski Ability:  Comfortable skiing intermediate groomed runs. Average fitness level or above.

Equipment Provided:  

Complete A/T backcountry setup includes:
Dynafit Dhualagiri skis with Dynafit TLT Radical ST 2.0 tech bindings and Dynafit Speedskins
Dynafit TLT7 A/T Boots
Poles
Beacon (BCA Tracker 2)
Shovel
Probe
Boxed Lunch
YMCA Trail Pass

Guest should provide their own day pack, ski helmet, warm clothes, snacks and water. Please see our FAQ for additional information.

To register for the clinic please contact the Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center at (970) 887-2152 x 4173 (ask for Fara, Elliott or Bill) or email SNordicCenter@ymcarockies.org.

Be sure to download our new trails app! Just scan this QR code, or search for Snow Mountain Ranch trails in the app store.