- Photo by: Colin Wann
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.
Season Winter
Elevation 6900
Elevation Gain 2000 - 4000
Minimum Age 18 (Minors are eligible if accompanied by responsible adult)
Trip Planner
Itinerary
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.
Schedule
Click here to check availability and sign up for a course.
Equipment
UPPER LAYERS
- Top Long Sleeve Synthetic: medium to expedition weight long underwear Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Butterman 1/2 zip
- Soft Shell or Fleece Jacket Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear 32 Degree Jacket
- Shell Jacket with hood. Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Cloudseeker Jacket
- Puffy Jacket: Hood Recommended. Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Ghostwhisperer Jacket
BOTTOM LAYERS
- Bottom Synthetic or Wool Long Underwear Bottoms Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Butterman Tight
- Shell Pant: full side zips and built-in gaiters Guide Pick: Mountain Hardwear Highball 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: Mountain Hardwear Cyclone GTX 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: Mammut Pro Short Removable Airbag System Backpack
- 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-Extra batteries
SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY (Packages available for rent at Jackson location ONLY)
- Boots: Alpine Touring, Telemark, or Snowboarding Boots
- Skis or Splitboard with compatible binding for boots
- Climbing Skins (fit to skis)
- Ski Poles
- Helmet (optional)
SNOW SAFETY EQUIPMENT (REQUIRED and available for rent at JHMG)
- Transceiver Guide Pick:Mammut Barryvox S
- Shovel Guide Pick: Mammut Alugator Twist shove
- Probe Guide Pick: Mammut Fastlock Probe 240
Travel
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.
Talk To Us
Here you’ll find online tools and information about joining us for a trip of a lifetime! To sign up for a trip, or if you have any questions, please call us. Listed on the left side of these pages are links that you may find useful, including printable forms and policies concerning a trip with TMG. We encourage ALL prospective climbers to read our Preparation advice. Our office can help place you with others who are looking to climb.
