Intro to Backcountry Skiing Course Questions

[pruitt]

So my main goal for next season is to try and get out and do some backcountry skiing.

I don't have any friends that backcountry ski so the I think the idea of me going out on my own or learning from friends is out of the question.

In the future my hope would be to tag along on trips with people that are looking ot get out and maybe dragging a few of my friends into it as well. But in order to do that I need the basic skills.

After doing some research, it seems like taking some sort of beginner/intro to backcountry skiing course might be the best plan. I would learn some basics from a trained professional, figure out if it's something I really want to do, get a better idea on gear ect...

I've also looked at some of the AVI courses but it seems like you either need some backcountry skiing experience or you are on snow shoes. Not being 100% sure this is something I'm going to enjoy I'm hesitant to take an AVI course before I even get out on some AT gear. Also most of the intro courses cover some basic avalanche discussion.

As a side note my next step once I amcomfortable with my gear would be to take an AVI course.

Right now I'm looking to take a course somewhere in Colorado or Utah (easy to fly in and out of)

Here are some examples:

http://altalodge.com/clinics/index.p...=13&subnav=220

http://www.ourayclimbing.com/coursesBackcountrySki.php

So my questions are:

1. Is an intro type class the best plan?

2. Anyone have any experiences or suggestions on a class/guide service to use?

3. Should I just get some gear and head to Loveland pass and trick someone in to letting me tag along?

4. Or should I just go to a resort and skin up and ski down until I figure it out?


EDIT - I thought it was pretty obvious but number 3 is a joke.......

[huckster989]

take your level 1 backcountry course even if your on snowshoes it won't matter. A good class is meant for all who enjoy the BC not just skiers or snowboarders so if they say snowshoes are no good look for another class.

http://avtraining.org/Avalanche-Trai...E-Level-1.html

do not trick someone into taking you into the BC that kind of karma will get you killed. start reading and doing your research.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Staying-Alive-Avalanche-Terrain-Tremper/dp/1594850844/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245777040&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain: Bruce Tremper: Books[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Backcountry-Skiing-Touring-Mountaineering-Mountaineers/dp/1594850380/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b"]Amazon.com: Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering (Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series): Martin Volken, Scott Schell, Margaret Wheeler: Books[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Avalanche-Handbook-P-Schaerer/dp/0898868092/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245777040&sr=8-10"]Amazon.com: The Avalanche Handbook: P. A. Schaerer, Peter Schaerer: Books[/ame]

Odds are when you take your level 1 you will meet people you can go ride with that will either have some experience or at least be on the right track. Start small and work up and take either a refresher course every couple of years or the next level of class if you really get into it.

Also watch this movie:

http://www.lifeonterra.com/episode.php?id=77

good luck and be safe

[SkiNowWorkLater]

That intro course in Ouray seems like a good idea if you've never been in the backcountry before and don't have any gear yet. Looks like you can rent everything you'll need and the guide will teach you basic travel techniques. From there if you decide you enjoyed it and want to get into bc skiing more, I strongly recommend taking an avi 1 class before venturing out again.

If you could find someone with experience to let you come along on your next couple of trips that would be best. I'm sure there's guys that would be willing to bring you along if you offer to drive to the TH or buy beers afterwards. Learn as much as you can from them.

The alternate way is to do it the way I learned: go out for your first time with a buddy who also has no experience, get into trouble without knowing it, get lucky and come out alive, and learn from your stupid mistakes. I don't necessarily recommend this option.

[carpathian]

It is best to stay out of the mountains. You will become addicted to the powder and your relationships and career will suffer.

But if you insist, buy, rent or borrow AT gear and take a course to get an idea for the basics. I have met lots of people who just moved to the mountains and you will learn a lot just by getting out there.

[Blurred]

This reminds me of people who buy books to learn how to ski..........

Hahaahahhaahhaahaha!

[bfree]

Personally, I wouldn't bother with the intro course. I'm not sure what they would teach you that a good avy 1 course wouldn't, besides maybe proper skinning tecnique. That's fairly easy to look up and figure out yourself though. I say just mess around walking with skins on until you feel comfortable walking with a group (won't take long, you'll still be faster than snowshoers). Then get in a hands on avy 1 class when snow starts to fall. Reading some of the books huckster recommended would be a great idea as well.

[Bunion 2020]

I think I will disagree with the last post. My Org. hosts L1 classes and has for the past 4 winters. The range and level of skills of the newbie B/C traveler varies a great deal.

Take an intro course and then if you are into it, take the L1 course when you get the time.

We end up burning a lot of group/instructor time showing people how to put skins on etc. Total waste of class time, but it is what ends up happening.

[Platinum Pete]

It's important to remember that this dude is in Atlanta - not exactly a town full of bros willing to show you the ropes beofre you head out. I say a class is a good investment. CO and UT are great places for this sort of thing, but thinking about going from sea level to those heights might be tough for a newb skinner - you may also add Washington areas to the list. It's a further fly and more work to get the hill vs. Utah, but you won't be altitude sick trying to walk uphill in ackward rental gear. Also, Matin Volken is an amazing instructor and I know his service runs beginner groups (as does American alpine Institute and others).

[Buke]

I can't comment on the advantages of a basic backcountry course because I've never taken one but I will Second what Plat Pete said. The Altitude will kill you if you just show up.

With that said, I think Martin Volken offers beginning backcountry classes and I can't say enough about how great he is. www.proguiding.com

I've also heard good things about the north cascade mountain guides.

[alma del polvo]

the south is on fire today. the last thing we need is people from the confederate states of america spending their week vaction cunting up the backcountry, especially those not comfotable with their skiing ability.
do not go into the backcountry and try to trick someone to let you tag along if you don't know what you are doing. In terms of shit like this happening the ski world needs to be more like the surfing world where some mean ass mother fucking polynesien will break your ribs and dislocate your jaw.
i would sugest staying in the resorts, support the industry by renting out mountianside condos, and buying a week of the worlds most expensive food at the mountain cafetria.
but if you feel the need to get into the backcountry. remember you can have all the gear but if you don't know how to properly use it your a natural selection liability, which suck for you but is pretty good for the gene pool. An avi course shows you how to properly use your gear and some other pretty cool shit, but it won't improve your skiing skills.
but then what do i know i'm just a chair beater

[pruitt]

Thanks for all of the great info.

I already have the first 2 books that huckster mentioned and I'm really enjoying them. Lots of great info and suprisingly easy to understand

My main issue IS that I live in Atlanta. The past few years I've been skiing at least a few weeks out west (Colorado, Cali, or Utah). About 14-20 days

What really got me thinking about backcountry skiing was the trip I took to Colorado at the end of May to go Kayaking for a week (I always take a trip out west to kayak every year) . It was the 3rd week I had been out to COlorado (2 skiing and one kayaking). I just thought it would be great to split my time kayaking and skiing. The problem is in order to hook up with people I want and need a minimum skill level. Hence the search for a class.

My plan to deal with altitude is to tack it on to the end of one of my typical ski weeks so I would hoepfully have my legs under me and be used to the altitude.

I also thought about Cali since it seems to be a little lower in elevation. At least the resorts around Tahoe compared to Summit County.

Thanks for the suggestion on Martin Volken....thats the kind of info I need.

Once I get a little experience under my belt maybe I can hook up with some of you guys next Summer!

[GimpToo]

. . . ^^^ and there you have it . . . no messing with words there

[PNWbrit]

Whistler would be a good alternative. Several outfits there offering intro courses.

[covert]

you should go to las lenas. every year i see tons of people learning how to backcountry ski there. the curve is steep though...

[Millsie]

Jackson Hole has backcountry classes. Check their website for more info. I would go there before Colorado.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Another option is to fly into Reno and take a course with ASI out of truckee. They offer Intro Courses (I believe) as well as the standard AAIRE avy courses.

Bela and the other guides run an extremely good shop (they have been around for 30 years). Bela is a founding member of the AMGA and the head of ski mountaineering guide certification.

[PowTrees]

Either course looks fun. I'd lean towards Alta since they have more consistent big powder snows than Southern Colorado. On the other hand, I'd guess you'd see less tracks in Southern Colorado, winter hiking near Alta is probably used by a lot more people?