Backcountry Essentials Montana
Overview
This one day course is ideal for the resort skier or rider who is looking to transition into backcountry skiing or riding. Our guides will help you to make the intimidating transition from from frontcountry to backcountry feel more approachable by sharing basic fundamental skills. By the end of the day, participants will have been introduced to the necessary skills to participate in future backcountry tours, either guided or as a well informed recreational partner. This information includes packing, layering, pacing, navigation, terrain management, equipment use and emergency planning, as well as any teachable moments along the way or any custom objectives that you might have. Participants in the course should be capable of hiking 2000 feet uphill in a day and must be intermediate to advanced skiers who are capable of skiing ungroomed and treed terrain. This course is ideal preparation for taking an Recreational Level 1 avalanche course.
8:00-8:30 Introductions
Meet at Whitefish Mountain Resort Spruce Lot
8:30-9:00 Tour Planning
Go over the plan for the day, review the avalanche bulletin and establish open, closed and standby terrain for the tour.
9:00-9:30 Equipment Selection
Review packs and talk about why we have what we have. Participants should bring everything on the winter packing for this portion of the course.
9:30-10:30 Avalanche Rescue
Guide will review avalanche rescue equipment use and function. There will be an opportunity to run a practice search with our beacon.
10:30-4:00 Tour
The difficulty and duration of the tour will vary.
4:00-4:30 Debrief + Course Close
An opportunity to ask questions and to get a few next step pointers from your instructor.
Click here to check availability and sign up for a course.
UPPER LAYERS
- Top Long Sleeve: Mid weight backcountry oriented top Guide Pick: Black Diamond Coefficient LT Hybrid Hoody
- Mid weight insulated Jacket Guide Pick: Black Diamond Solution Jacket
- Shell Jacket with hood.  Guide Pick: Black Diamond Recon LT Stretch Shell
- Puffy Jacket: Hood Recommended. Guide Pick: Black Diamond Access Down Hoody
BOTTOM LAYERS
- Bottom Synthetic or Wool Long Underwear Bottoms Guide Pick: Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Base Layer
- Shell Pant: full side zips and built-in gaiters Guide Pick: Black Diamond Recon Stretch LT Pant
- Socks: Synthetic or wool. Sized for your boots and blister protection. Liners recommended.
HEAD AND HANDS
- Gloves 3 pair: 1 light, 1 medium, 1 heavy pair  Guide Pick: Black Diamond Legend Glove
- Hat: medium weight ski hat
- Hat: baseball or visor for sun
- Buff/neck gaiter
ACCESSORIES
- Back Pack: 30 to 40 Liter ski pack, Guide Pick: Black Diamond Jet Force Pro 35 Airbag Pack
- Water & Food: Thermos or insulated water bottles are best. Lot’s of snacks.
- Sunglasses/ Sunglass Case
- Ski Goggles
- Extra Prescription Glasses/Contact Lens
- Sunscreen/Lip balm
- Headlamp Guides Pick: Black Diamond Cosmo 350 R Rechargeable
SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY (Packages available for rent)
- Boots: Alpine Touring, Telemark, or Snowboarding Boots
- Skis:Â Guide Pick: Black Diamond Helio Carbon 95
- Splitboard:Â Â Guides Pick:Â Black Diamond X Cardiff Co-LabÂ
- Climbing Skins:  Guides Pick: Black Diamond Ascension Nylon Climbing Skins ( must trip to fit skis)
- Ski Poles:Â Â Guides Pick:Â Traverse Compactor Ski Poles
- Helmet (optional)
SNOW SAFETY EQUIPMENT (REQUIRED and available for rent from TMG)
Because of The Mountain Guides Montana Whitefish, Montana location in beautiful Flathead Valley and proximity to Glacier National Park our venues for teaching are one of a kind. Flights come into Glacier International Airport (FCA) daily. Amtrak arrives once per day.