Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Course
A comprehensive introduction to backcountry skiing
This 2‑day course is designed to proÂvide comÂpreÂhenÂsive instrucÂtion to backÂcounÂtry skiÂing with our school. Whether you’re lookÂing to exit out of the gates at the local resort or just seekÂing to expand your availÂable ski opporÂtuÂniÂties, this course is an ideÂal place to start. We will comÂbine funÂdaÂmenÂtal skills instrucÂtion with great modÂerÂate powÂder skiÂing at areas around Stevens Pass, Blewett Pass, Mt BakÂer, and SnoÂqualmie Pass, hopeÂfulÂly creÂatÂing an expeÂriÂence that has you yearnÂing for more.
TopÂics will include, develÂopÂing a tour plan, selectÂing approÂpriÂate terÂrain for uphill and downÂhill travÂel, and applyÂing approÂpriÂate travÂel techÂniques while searchÂing out untouched powÂder stashÂes. This course allows time to get in-depth, covÂerÂing the basics as well as some more comÂplex subÂjects like manÂagÂing comÂplex terÂrain, idenÂtiÂfyÂing ​“deciÂsion points,” powÂder skiÂing techÂnique, and resÂcue sceÂnarÂios. ParÂticÂiÂpants will be givÂen an active role, to have a chance to test their judgÂment while under the instructor’s guidÂance. And of course, plenÂty of turns will be had by all!
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Course Perks
Pow — if you hit it after a dump of new snow, not only will you learn a whole bunch, but you’ll maybe even get some face shots! RegardÂless, this course will give you conÂfiÂdence to get out of bounds and into the backÂcounÂtry, where the realÂly good stuff lies waitÂing for you.
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Description
This is an introÂducÂtoÂry course with no speÂcifÂic backÂcounÂtry skiÂing expeÂriÂence required. A LevÂel 1 avalanche course and interÂmeÂdiÂate ski skills are recÂomÂmendÂed. It is open for teleÂmark and alpine tourÂing skiers, as well as snowboarders.
This course involves the following:
- SkiÂing with a day pack
- SkiÂing interÂmeÂdiÂate levÂel terÂrain with some slopes to the black diaÂmond level
- Long days in the snow and in potenÂtialÂly adverse weather
- Skiers should be in excelÂlent physÂiÂcal conÂdiÂtion and comÂpeÂtent on varÂied terrain
Course CurÂricuÂlum:
- SelecÂtion of propÂer equipment
- Care and use of climbÂing skins
- TransÂceivÂer check
- SkinÂning and uphill travÂel technique
- TerÂrain selecÂtion, manÂageÂment, and travÂel techÂniques (up/​down)
- Group deciÂsion making
- Trip planÂning and prep
- Self-resÂcue/ÂcomÂpanÂion rescue
- SimÂple snow pack tests
Have a Question? Contact Us!
Price
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BackÂcounÂtry SkiÂing FunÂdaÂmenÂtals — Stevens Pass
$525 – 2 Days
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BackÂcounÂtry SkiÂing FunÂdaÂmenÂtals — SnoÂqualmie Pass
$525 – 2 Days
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BackÂcounÂtry SkiÂing FunÂdaÂmenÂtals w/​ExtenÂsion — Stevens Pass
$695 – 3 Days
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BackÂcounÂtry SkiÂing FunÂdaÂmenÂtals w/​ExtenÂsion — SnoÂqualmie Pass
$695 – 3 Days
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Price Includes
- Group climbÂing equipment
- Guide serÂvices
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Price Does Not Include
- AirÂfare
- TransÂportaÂtion
- Meals on the mountain
- Hotel accomÂmoÂdaÂtions
- RestauÂrant meals
- GraÂtuÂities for guides
- PerÂsonÂal ski and tourÂing gear
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Payment Schedule
- Full payÂment at time of regÂisÂtraÂtion by credÂit card, which includes $200 non-refundÂable regÂisÂtraÂtion fee
Dates
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Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Stevens Pass 2024
- Jan 20, 2024 — Jan 21, 2024
- Feb 24, 2024 — Feb 25, 2024
- Mar 9, 2024 — Mar 10, 2024
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Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Snoqualmie Pass 2024
- Jan 20, 2024 — Jan 21, 2024
- Feb 24, 2024 — Feb 25, 2024
- Mar 9, 2024 — Mar 10, 2024
Custom Dates Available — Contact Us
Policies
Cancellation / Refund Policy
- MMI strongÂly recÂomÂmends trip cancellation/​interruption and evacÂuÂaÂtion insurÂance for all trips. Our insurÂance partÂner, RipÂcord, offers comÂpreÂhenÂsive travÂel insurÂance includÂing trip canÂcelÂlaÂtion, as well as rescue/​evacuation poliÂcies and can assist in answerÂing any quesÂtions. In addiÂtion, ParÂticÂiÂpant is expectÂed to have sufÂfiÂcient medÂical insurÂance as preÂscribed by their counÂtry of oriÂgin. ParÂticÂiÂpant underÂstands that MMI does not include anyÂtype of insurÂance with the cost of the trip.
- If you decide to canÂcel your trip or change your itinÂerÂary, MMI must be notiÂfied in writÂing. Your trip will be canÂcelled from the date writÂten notice is received. If propÂer writÂten canÂcelÂlaÂtion notice is not received, amounts paid and reserÂvaÂtions made will be forfeited.
- Non-refundÂable fees may apply for cerÂtain trips in order to secure perÂmits and othÂer serÂvices. MMI must strictÂly adhere to canÂcelÂlaÂtion poliÂcies outÂside MMI’s control.
- Due to the perÂsonÂalÂized serÂvice we offer on our trips, MMI reserves the right to waive any fees. We will attempt to accomÂmoÂdate changes and canÂcelÂlaÂtions, waivÂing cerÂtain fees when feasible.
- CirÂcumÂstances outÂside the conÂtrol of MMI and its partÂners, may require amendÂed cancellation/​refund poliÂcies. Such cirÂcumÂstances may include, but are not limÂitÂed to COVID-19, natÂurÂal disÂasÂters, wildÂfires, terÂrorÂism and so forth.
DomesÂtic Trips/​Courses:
- Full refund, less the non-refundÂable regÂisÂtraÂtion fee, will be proÂvidÂed 91 days or more before the deparÂture date
- No refunds will be proÂvidÂed 90 days or less before the deparÂture date
Trip Insurance
We strongÂly recÂomÂmend the purÂchase of travÂel canÂcelÂlaÂtion insurÂance to proÂtect you from the unexÂpectÂed. You aren’t likeÂly to think of it now, but peoÂple do get ill, break a bone, have a famÂiÂly emerÂgency or get assigned to a last-minute busiÂness trip. If you are in remote areas, please note that emerÂgency resÂcue & evacÂuÂaÂtion can be very expenÂsive.
We also strongÂly urge you to conÂsidÂer resÂcue and evacÂuÂaÂtion insurÂance if your own polÂiÂcy does not proÂvide the covÂerÂage needÂed. SerÂvices availÂable may include, but are not limÂitÂed to, heliÂcopter evacÂuÂaÂtion, medÂical care, etc.
If you choose not to purÂchase insurÂance, you assume full responÂsiÂbilÂiÂty for any expensÂes incurred in the event of a medÂical emerÂgency and/​or evacÂuÂaÂtion, as well as for trip canÂcelÂlaÂtion, interÂrupÂtion, lost lugÂgage, etc. We are not the experts and thereÂfore ask that you please conÂsult our travÂel insurÂance partÂner directÂly with any speÂcifÂic questions.
To proÂtect against lossÂes due to illÂness, acciÂdent, or othÂer unforeÂseen cirÂcumÂstances, MounÂtain MadÂness strongÂly recÂomÂmends the purÂchase of travÂel insurÂance as soon as posÂsiÂble after makÂing a deposit. MounÂtain MadÂness has partÂnered with RedÂpoint ResÂoÂluÂtions as our preÂferred travÂel insurÂance provider. Redpoint’s RipÂcord ResÂcue TravÂel InsurÂance™ is designed for adventurers.
For a quote, or to purÂchase travÂel insurÂance, please click this link RipÂcord ResÂcue TravÂel InsurÂance™ or call +1 – 415-481‑0600. PricÂing varies based on age, trip cost, trip length, and levÂel of coverage.
CritÂiÂcal benÂeÂfits of RipÂcord ResÂcue TravÂel InsurÂance include:
- A comÂpleteÂly inteÂgratÂed proÂgram with a sinÂgle point of conÂtact for emerÂgency serÂvices, travÂel assisÂtance, and insurÂance claims
- EvacÂuÂaÂtion and resÂcue serÂvices from your point of injury or illÂness to your hosÂpiÂtal of choice
- ComÂpreÂhenÂsive travÂel insurÂance for trip cancellation/​interruption, priÂmaÂry medÂical expense covÂerÂage, bagÂgage loss or delay, emerÂgency acciÂdent and emerÂgency sickÂness medÂical expense, emerÂgency denÂtal, acciÂdenÂtal death and disÂmemÂberÂment, and more
- OptionÂal secuÂriÂty evacÂuÂaÂtion covÂerÂage in case of an unplanned natÂurÂal disÂasÂter or othÂer secuÂriÂty events
- WaivÂer for pre-existÂing conÂdiÂtions (must be purÂchased withÂin 14 days of tour deposit)
- OptionÂal ​“CanÂcel for Any ReaÂson” covÂerÂage (must be purÂchased withÂin 14 days of tour deposit)
Itinerary
Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Day by Day
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Day 1
We will meet at 8:00 am in the parkÂing lot, perÂform a gear check and introÂducÂtions, and then we start our tour. We will learn how to use the gear effiÂcientÂly, which includes learnÂing more about skis, skins, transÂceivers, and shovÂels. We will then conÂtinÂue our eduÂcaÂtion by focusÂing on terÂrain manÂageÂment, track setÂting, and more advanced transÂceivÂer techÂniques. In the afterÂnoon we will make sevÂerÂal tour plans based on our weathÂer observations.
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Day 2
We bring all the skills togethÂer and get you out in front, leadÂing the group and attemptÂing a big tour. After earnÂing our turns we wrap up the course at 4:00 pm in the parkÂing lot.
Note on ItinÂerÂary: Although we do our very best to folÂlow the schedÂule listÂed, the very nature of climbÂing and skiÂing in an alpine enviÂronÂment requires flexÂiÂbilÂiÂty. This itinÂerÂary is subÂject to change due to inclement weathÂer, unsafe route conÂdiÂtions, and othÂer reaÂsons beyond our control.
Equipment for Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Course
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Carrying Gear
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Ski Pack (35-45L)
35 to 45 liter capacity, avoid unnecessary options that add weight. Ideally a ski specific pack with avalanche tool pocket
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Climbing Gear
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Skis
with alpine touring or telemark bindings
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Split snowboard
backcountry touring specific snowboard
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Collapsible Ski Poles
adjustable ski poles with powder (big) baskets
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Climbing skins
with Glop Stopper skin wax
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Splitboard/Ski specific crampons
for all ski mountaineering trips
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Avalanche Beacon
beacon needs to be on 457 frequency
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Avalance Probe
no ski pole probes!
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Shovel
small collapsible style
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Snow study kit (optional)
optional except the Level 2 course
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Snow saw (optional)
optional but recommended
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Head and Face
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Fleece or wool hat
It must cover the ears
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Ski goggles
To fit over glacier glasses in high wind. Rose or amber lenses
Examples:
Smith, Oakley
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Sunglasses
Essential eye protection whether in the tropics or by the water. Look for 100% UVA/UVB protection. Consider bringing a spare pair
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Shade hat or baseball cap
A visor hat with a good brim is essential for protection from the sun
Examples:
Mountain Madness trucker hat
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Ski Helmet (optional)
lightweight
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Hands
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Liner gloves
Two pairs thin fleece or synthetic
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Mid-weight gloves
1-2 pairs
Examples:
Black Diamond Punisher Glove
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Heavyweight shell glove
Gore-tex or equivalent (trips before July)
Examples:
Black Diamond Enforcer Glove
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Feet
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Liner socks (optional)
1-pair lightweight and thin
Examples:
polypropylene or wool
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Syntheric or wool socks
check boot fir to make sure they work together
Examples:
Smartwool ,Patagonia
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Alpine touring ski or snowboard boots
lightweight
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Upper Body
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Synthetic t-shirts
Two synthetic or merino wool t-shirts. No cotton!
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Long-sleeved Base Layer
Two lightweight to mediumweight, pull-over is best
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Second heavyweight base layer
or lightweight fleece if necessary. Base layer preferred
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene, wool, polypro
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Sports bras
Two, synthetic, no cotton!
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Softshell Jacket w/ hood
This is what you will be wearing while hiking at higher altitudes or while kicking around camps at lower altitude. This jacket should be full-zip
Examples:
Outdoor Research Ferrosi
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Hardshell jacket w/ hood
A good jacket made of Gore-Tex (recommended) or waterproof nylon, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers
Examples:
Outdoor Research Foray, Patagonia Triolet
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Down or synthetic jacket w/hood
This is your most important piece of warm gear and will mean the difference between an enjoyable climb or a miserable one. A warm, full zip jacket with hood is recommended and ideal
Examples:
Helly Hansen Vanir, Feathered Friends Volant, Marmot Guide’s Down Hoody, Outdoor Research Virtuoso Hoody
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Sun hoody
This piece with a high SPF rating and lightweight fabric offers protection from high altitude sun
Examples:
Outdoor Research
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Lower Body
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Long base layer
Two pairs light or mediumweight
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Softshell pants
Softshell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable. Great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights higher on the mountain or summit day
Examples:
Outdoor Research Voodoo, Mountain Hardwear Touren, Patagonia Guide
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Hardshell pants
waterproof and breathable with side zips (minimum of Âľ zips recommended) Gore-Tex or equivalent
Examples:
Outdoor Research Furio, Arcteryx Beta AR
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Miscellaneous
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Personal first aid kit (NW)
moleskin/blister kit, Band-aids, athletic tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, ect
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Lip balm
Must have SPF rating of 20 or more. Bring two just in case!
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Sunscreen
Bring plenty of sun block with SPF of 40 or more. It's easy to underestimate the amount necessary for your trip!
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Hand sanitizer
enough to last trip length
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Headlamp
Bring extra batteries!
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Water bottles
two 1 liter wide-mouth water bottles
Examples:
Nalgene
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Hydration bladder (optional)
hydration bladder or water bag with drinking tube (must also have 1 Nalgene Bottle or equivalent)
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Water purification (NW)
Purifies drinking water while on the climb
Examples:
Steri Pen, water filter, Potable Aqua, Polar Pure crystal iodine
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Pocket knife or multitool
Simple Swiss Army type with scissors. Make sure you transport in checked bag, not carry-on!
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Toiletry kit (NW)
toilet paper stored in double zip lock bags
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Nylon stuff sacks
for food and gear storage, large ziplocs are useful
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Large plastic bags
heavy duty trash compactor bags recommended
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Bandana (optional)
lightweight
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Snacks (general)
Bring your favorite snacks and power/energy bars or if there is something else you particularly like to eat while hiking and climbing
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Camera (optional)
or any sort of device that takes pictures
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BackÂcounÂtry SkiÂing FunÂdaÂmenÂtals — Stevens Pass
$525
2 Days
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BackÂcounÂtry SkiÂing FunÂdaÂmenÂtals — SnoÂqualmie Pass
$525
2 Days
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BackÂcounÂtry SkiÂing FunÂdaÂmenÂtals w/​ExtenÂsion — Stevens Pass
$695
3 Days
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BackÂcounÂtry SkiÂing FunÂdaÂmenÂtals w/​ExtenÂsion — SnoÂqualmie Pass
$695
3 Days
Route
Stevens Pass or SnoÂqualmie Pass Backcountry
Client to Guide Ratio
5:1
Difficulty
Beginner
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