Intro to Ski Mountaineering

Course Details

DATES - PRICE - LOCATION - CURRICULUM - AGENDA
INSTRUCTORS & GROUP SIZE - DIFFICULTY, FITNESS & EXPERIENCE
TRANSPORTATION - ACCOMMODATION & MEALS - GEAR - INSURANCE - BOOKING

Climb snowy peaks on skis, feel the adrenaline surge as you link turns in powder to the glacier below, learn the essential skills and gain the confidence to head out on your own ski mountaineering adventures.

Join us this spring for a week of fun and education on the spectacular Wapta Icefields!

Dates

2001: March 4 - 10, April 1 – 7, April 8 - 14

Price

$1150 CDN (c.$780US) includes GST, accommodation, 'Back Country Park Fees', 'out-trip' meals, instruction and use of specialized equipment and group camping gear.

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Location

The course is based out of Bow Hut on the Wapta Icefields just north of Lake Louise ( 90km from Canmore). This area of vast icefields and glaciated peaks is perfect for instruction with a good hut system and opportunities for high camps.

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Curriculum

There is considerable flexibility built into the delivery of this course, no course is exactly the same. Snow and weather conditions will dictate the order of presentation to some degree. Key topics will be constantly revisited during the program.

Topics include:

• Avalanche awareness with: hazard recognition, route finding & emergency routines	• Winter Medical Problems and Emergency Response
• Avalanche transceiver use	• Back country travel preparation
• Equipment for Ski Mountaineering	• Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue
• Mountain Weather	• Navigation, Route Finding & Planning
• Safe decision making	• Snow Shelters
• Ski Techniques for powder and crud	• Track Setting
• SKI TOURS!!! There are lots of great day climbs and tours in addition to overnight trips between huts and camps. You just happen to be learning these skills in a terrific ski mountaineering area! You will find yourself in the lead, solving route finding problems and using new skills to face the challenges of successful tours and the rewards of great ski descents!

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Course Agenda

Note: From Day 2 the course agenda and the amount of time spent on each subject will depend upon conditions in the program area, the weather, group and individual abilities and learning speeds.

Day 1: We meet at the Yamnuska Office in Canmore at 8:30am for introductions, a review of course goals and itinerary and equipment check. Then we drive an hour and a half north to Bow Lake, our start point. After an avalanche safety session, we commence the climb to Bow Hut, which is located at 7700 ft. on a shoulder adjacent to the snout of the Bow Glacier; this will take us between 3 and 5 hours. We cross frozen Bow Lake then ski up the canyon which leads to the amphitheater below Mounts Olive and St. Nicholas. After a final steep section we reach the welcome warmth of this spacious cabin. En route we get a real taste of route finding in avalanche terrain. We ski 6km and climb 2000ft.

Day 2 - 6: Bow Hut is our base for the week. Its proximity to the glacier and to several peaks makes it easy for us to get out on to suitable instruction terrain every day. It's a perfect area for instruction. We will plan on doing an overnight tour involving snow shelters if possible and perhaps spending a night in one of the other huts in the region. Peaks often climbed on the course include Olive (10,200 ft.), Gordon (10,000 ft.) & Rhonda (10,000 ft.).

Day 7: Final day. We ski back down to Bow Lake and return to Canmore in the late afternoon.

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Instructors and Group Size

Your instructors are certified by the internationally recognized Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and licensed by Parks Canada. There will be a maximum of 6 participants per instructor, 12 on the course.

How Difficult Is It? How Fit and Experienced Need You Be?

Whilst most of the glacier terrain is of moderate steepness we will be going into steeper and more difficult areas, this course does not however, involve 'technical' mountaineering.

You need to be at least a strong intermediate downhill skier (on either telemark or 'alpine' gear) able to maintain control in all conditions. It is not necessary to be a total expert and part of the course will focus on tips for maintaining control and tackling more difficult slopes. You must be comfortable taking a few spills and be able to pick yourself up and 'carry on'. You will need to be in good physical condition, able to carry a 35lb pack for several hours a day. No prior ski mountaineering experience needed.

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Transportation

Canmore is 100km west of Calgary on the Trans Canada (#1) Highway. Calgary International Airport is regularly serviced by flights from Europe and throughout North America. Participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore which can be reached by regular bus service from Calgary Airport and elsewhere (on booking we'll send you full bus info). You should plan to arrive in Canmore the day before the course (we can help you arrange accommodation).

Transportation on the course is not included per se. We will coordinate a car pool among participants, if necessary we will arrange additional transportation to ensure that everyone can reach Bow Lake.

Accommodation and Meals

During the trip we stay in alpine huts operated by the Alpine Club of Canada although we may spend one night in snow shelters. Sleeping areas are communal and facilities basic. We cook on Coleman stoves and melt snow to get water for drinking, cooking and washing.

All meals, snacks and drinks are supplied from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 7. Mountain meals are made from lightweight ingredients, some of which are pre placed in Bow Hut. Please let us know, well in advance, if you have any dietary restrictions.

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Equipment and Clothing

You will need to bring your own clothing, skis, poles, climbing skins, backpack and sleeping bag. Many of these items can be rented here and we can pre-arrange this for you. We supply avalanche beacons and other group safety items. We will send you a complete list of what to bring when you book.

Skis & Boards

There are two ski systems you can use: System 1 'Randonee' (also known as 'Alpine Touring) skis are essentially 'downhill skis' with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then 'locks down' to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background of downhill skiing who is not already an advanced telemark skier. System 2 'Telemark' skis. These should only be used for this program if you are at least an advanced-intermediate telemark skier with some backcountry experience. This system is more difficult and less forgiving than the other.

Snow Boards can be used on this program. If 'boarding' you need to be an advanced boarder and we really recommend using a 'Split Board'. If using snowshoes on the 'ups' and 'flats', you need to be really fit. Don't bring a board if you've never boarded in the backcountry before. Remember in the backcountry there do tend to be lots of 'flats'.

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Insurance

There is no charge for rescue so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass, which we will supply. It is wise, though to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident whilst here. Obtain extra coverage if necessary.

Booking Information

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require a $365CDN deposit with the balance due 8 weeks in advance, after that, full payment is required. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation insurance for an extra non-refundable $58, this must accompany your deposit.

For detailed booking instructions and conditions, click here.

Along with all relevant receipts we will send you a full trip logistical kit (containing meeting times, a list of what to bring and info on how to get here), a sample copy of our waiver which we will ask you to sign when you meet us and a experience questionnaire which we ask you to return to us in advance of your arrival.

PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT US IF
YOU NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE!