Overview
Join Weston Guide Team member Patrick Collins for an immersive Teton experience in Grand Teton National Park. This trip is for beginner to intermediate splitboarders looking to improve their skills and learn about GTNP.
Tour of the Tetons
This camp is step one for the competent resort rider who would like to become more knowledgeable about backcountry touring and explore the mountains away from the ski area boundary. Many resort riders have the fitness and riding ability necessary for backcountry touring but lack the basic fundamental skills, so they are intimidated. They should be.
This camp will expand on the skills necessary to participate in backcountry tours, either guided, or as a well prepared and informed member of a non-guided party. The day will be spent in magnificent GTNP, ascending and descending one of many classic winter lines. Along the way you will be learning about route selection, track setting, snowpack assessment, weather assessment, and skiing in variable backcountry snow.
The participant of this camp should be capable of hiking uphill 3500’/day and a strong intermediate to advanced resort rider to participate. This camp would be a great prep for our AIARE 1 course. Take a break from the worn out boot pack and come join us.
Trip Planner
Itinerary
Class Outline
Introductions
Risk management discussion
Planning and prep
- Backpack
- Equipment
- Clothing
Backcountry travel techniques
- Layering systems
- Route finding
- Track setting
- Skinning
- Uphill pacing
- Descending
Terrain options based on snowpack and current conditions
- Traveling in avalanche terrain
- Open/closed terrain concept
- Snowpack assessment (on ski tour)
Backcountry tour in GTNP
Going forward
- Mentorship
Pricing
Intro to Splitboarding Clinic $200/person
Schedule
SplitFest 2023 happens March 11th in Jackson Hole! CLICK HERE to book your clinic.
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
- Laptop Computer — for Avalanche Courses only
SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY (Packages available for rent at JHMG)
- 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
Grand Teton National Park is located roughly 30 minutes from our Jackson, WY headquarters. Our Jackson office is located in the south part of Jackson at 1325 S. Highway 89, Suite 104 and shares a parking area with Smith’s. Our phone number is (800) 239-7642 or (307) 733-4979. Most trips and classes will meet at this office for gear checks, preparation, and classes. The Jackson Hole airport is the closest, but Idaho Falls (a 2 – 2.5 hour drive) is a cheaper option and Salt Lake City (4 – 5 hour drive) are also air travel options. It is helpful to arrive a couple of days prior to your trip/class in order to acclimatize. Otherwise, you should arrive the day before and stop by our office for an equipment check. Do not plan on traveling the day after a significant climb – you will be tired and there are no guaranteed times when we will return to the trailhead. Plan on having accommodations for the night prior to and the night you return from a significant climb. There are a plethora of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts in Jackson and the surrounding area. Accommodations near our office make your transitions convenient. It is highly advisable to make reservations as early as possible. Lodging recommendations and many more details can be found in the downloadable document below.
VIEW PDF
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 JHMG. We encourage ALL prospective climbers to read our Preparation advice. Our office can help place you with others who are looking to climb.
