Backcountry Skills Course

Course Overview

This is a 3 day course held at the Woody Creek Cabin, that is designed to fill the gaps of a Level 1 or Level 2 Course, in regards to travelling safely and efficiently on snow in the mountains. The class will largely consist of travelling up down and around the mountains that surround The Woody Creek Cabin to demonstrate proper decision making techniques for travelling in avalanche terrain safely and efficiently. Completion of a Basic or Level 1 avalanche course is a prerequisite for all participants. The Woody Creek Cabin is a 2 1/2 mile tour from downtown Cooke City. The terrain surrounding the cabin varies from low angle glades, to big ski objectives, so it is a perfect place to discuss and learn how to travel and recreate in avalanche terrain safely. This course is the perfect confidence builder for people who want to make more informed decisions in the backcountry and is a great stepping stone for people that are working towards taking Beartooth Powder Guides Course.

Course Topics

● Weather and Snowpack discussion ● Trip planning ● Route finding skills/basic map and compass use ● Travelling in mountainous terrain safely (up and downhill travel) ● Companion rescue and avalanche transceiver skills ● Proper use of backcountry and riding equipment ● Avoiding accidents/Decision making in the backcountry ● And of Course POWDER SKIING!

Course Includes

● Course Instruction and materials ● Lodging ● Food

Course Requirements

● Participants must have completed a Basic Avalanche education course or Level 1 Avalanche education course as a prerequisite ● All participants must have either Alpine touring, telemark or splitboard equipment and must be able to use their equipment with reasonable proficiency. ● Intermediate to Advanced Downhill Skiing Skills ● Good Physical Fitness

Recommended Reading

● : Skills For And Ski Mountaineering, Martin Volken

Cost

● $595 per person

Course Itinerary

Day 1 ● 0800- Meet at Beartooth Powder Guides office 304 East main Street, across from The Super 8 Motel for the meeting place Course Overview, introductions, weather forecast/avalanche advisory discussion. ● 0900- Gear check and prepare for departure to Woody Creek Cabin ● 0930-Trailhead Beacon Check Training ● 1000- Depart for The Woody Creek Cabin ● 1130- Lunch & Hut Orientation ● 1230-Rest of Day-Tour plan discussion and creation, avalanche hazard evaluation, companion rescue clinic, proper use of Backcountry ski touring equipment discussions and demonstrations of up and downhill travel techniques. ● 1800- Appetizers and Review day’s activities. Q & A session ● 1900- Dinner

Day 2

● 0600- Breakfast ● 0700- Weather and Snowpack discussion. Discuss today’s objectives, create Tour Plan. ● 0800- Depart for day’s objective. Spend the day traveling and skiing in the mountains, discussing and demonstrating efficient, safe and practical techniques for “up tracks”, “transitions” and downhill travel. Safety protocol and discussions of possible rescue scenarios. Decision making in the backcountry will be the focus for the day....why we are making the decisions we are making will be discussed throughout the day with the entire class. “Tricks of the Trade” will also be a topic discussed throughout the day to give you the tools to be a better more efficient backcountry traveler. Lunch will be in the field. ● 1700- Appetizers and review of the day’s activities. Q & A session. ● 1730-Equipment repair in the backcountry, what tools and parts you should be carrying ● 1800- Dinner ● 1900- Route planning discussion and trip plan for next day

Day 3

● 0600- Breakfast ● 0700- Weather and Snowpack discussion. Discuss today’s objectives. Split into two tour groups and students create a tour plan and implement skills learned in course thus far . ● 0800- Depart for day’s objective in 2 groups. Share lead and trailbreaking with students in course. Implement skills learned in the course so far, while traveling in the mountains seeking and skiing safe powder slopes. Today will give the instructors a chance to discuss each student's decision making and backcountry skills on a more personal level as students demonstrate what they have learned thus far in the course. Fine tuning of the skills and answering individual questions throughout the day will focus for the day in the field. Lunch will be in the field. ● Debrief course and back to town, no later than 4PM

Beartooth Powder Guides

Cooke City, Montana

406-838-2097

http://www.beartoothpowder.com

mailto:/[email protected]