Backcountry
programs
- Winter 2007 - 2008
Call
the office to register: 801 550-3986(EXUM)
Intro
to Backcountry Touring: Cost
$160/person (8am - 4pm)
Dates:
Sunday January 20 or Saturday February 2,
2008
Instruction
includes: Instruction in skinning, downhill
technique on skis and snowboards and safe route-finding.
Designed for participants with little or no experience
in the backcountry.
Instructors will initially focus on equipment
and procedures for travel in avalanche terrain. Techniques
for maximizing efficiency on skins and trail setting will
be reviewed. Special attention will be given to kick turning
skills. Guides will address route selection as the party
ascends to appropriate runs. Guides will coach participants
in transitions to downhill mode and proper procedures for
descent in avalanche-prone terrain. Techniques for skiing
and boarding in untracked snow will be demonstrated. Each
participant will be given individual tips on how to improve
downhill skills. Time will be allowed for lunch, snacks,
water breaks and enjoyment of the winter Wasatch environment.
Typically, the party will ski multiple runs on one or more
slopes. Instructor will suggest good tours for students to
do on their own, and offer insights into a progression of
tours and ski mountaineering ascents to enable goals to be
achieved.
Equipment
list: Click here
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Backcountry Touring
Seminars
Backcountry
Touring 2-day Seminars: Cost
$280/person (8am
- 4pm both days)
Dates:
Saturday & Sunday December 15 & 16, 2007 or Saturday & Sunday March
1 & 2, 2008
Instruction
includes:
Learn avalanche awareness, beacon rescue, safe route selection,
efficient skinning, downhill technique on skis and snowboard,
and enjoy legendary Wasatch touring. Designed for beginner
and intermediate backcountry enthusiasts.
Instructors will initially focus on equipment
and procedures for travel in avalanche terrain. Techniques
for maximizing efficiency on skins and trail setting will
be reviewed. Special attention will be given to kick turning
skills and tricks. The guides will address route selection
as the party ascends to appropriate runs. Guides will coach
participants in transitions to downhill mode and proper procedures
for descent in avalanche-prone terrain. Techniques for skiing
and boarding in untracked snow will be demonstrated. Each
participant will be given individual tips on how to improve
downhill skills. Time will be allowed for lunch, snacks,
water breaks and enjoyment of the winter Wasatch environment.
Guides may demonstrate and / or give students a chance to
do practice beacon searches. The second day will be a longer
tour, usually reaching a classic Wasatch bowl or skiable
peak. Participants will apply skinning, downhill, and avalanche
procedures while enjoying the best terrain and snow conditions
available. Guides will dig a snowpit and demonstrate other
snow stability assessment techniques as the party travels.
Instructor will suggest good tours for students to do on
their own, and offer insights into a progression of tours
and ski mountaineering ascents to enable goals to be achieved.
Equipment list:
Click here
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Alta
Lodge Backcountry Skiing Seminar: Cost
$1241/person*
Dates:Thursday - Saturday December
6-8, 2007 or Wednesday
- Sunday April 2-6, 2007
Instruction
seminar includes: Join the
Alta Lodge and Exum Utah Adventures for a 3-day/3-night
Backcountry Seminar Package. Safe travel while skiing
in the backcountry is a must and this two-day course
teaches skiers the fundamentals during two full days
of backcountry skiing. Participants will learn about
avalanche awareness, beacon rescue, safe route selection,
efficient skinning on skis, and downhill skiing technique
while experiencing legendary Wasatch backcountry touring.
Seminar participants will enjoy the warmth, convenience,
and fine dining at the Alta Lodge after each day in the
backcountry.
Ability
Level: Ski level: should be able to ski on non-groomed
snow.
Fitness: should exercise routinely.
*Based
on double occupancy & includes:
· two-day seminar
· three nights of lodging in standard room
· full breakfasts, sack lunches and four-course gourmet dinners
· saunas and hot tubs
Equipment
list: Click here
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Backcountry
Skiing/Boarding for Women Seminar: Cost
$299/person
Dates:Wednesday January 16 (7-8pm) and Saturdays
January 19, 26 & February 2, 2008 (9am-1pm)
Instruction
includes: Love the resorts, but itching
to get into the backcountry? If you’re comfortable
skiing or boarding non-groomed terrain at the resorts
and enjoy hiking, this class is for you. Students will
learn proper equipment use, safe backcountry travel skills,
avalanche basics, winter survival skills, and instruction
in skiing/boarding in various snow conditions in the
backcountry; our low student-teacher ratio will give
you plenty of personal attention. Shovels, avalanche
transceivers, and backcountry packs will be provided;
you are responsible for your skis or boards, skins, and
boots. Co-sponsored by the University of Utah Continuing
Education.
Equipment
list: Click here
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Split-Snowboard
Seminar: Cost
$160/person
Dates:Friday January 11 (6-9pm) and
Saturdays January 12, 2008 (8am-4pm)
Instruction
includes: Learn skills for safe and efficient
backcountry travel on a split snowboard. For intermediate
and advanced snowboarders looking to get into the backcountry,
and for those seeking a more efficient alternative to
boot-packing and snowshoeing.
On
Friday evening students will learn how split-boards work,
their history, how to attach bindings to plates and switch
modes. The instructor will introduce avalanche awareness
and present the Avalanche Hazard Triangle as a framework
for decision making. The guide will incorporate this into
the route and plan for Saturday’s outing. The guide
will share book, map and website information and explain
necessary equipment for off-piste travel. Split boards will
be set-up for each participant’s stance and angles
and skins will be fitted. Saturday, in the field, the instructor
will demonstrate an avalanche transceiver range check, and
lead an ascent on skins, emphasizing route-finding and techniques
for trail-breaking and kick-turning. Participants will enjoy
a spectacular Wasatch peak or ridge as they transition to
downhill riding. The instructor will teach methods for switching
modes efficiently in the cold and snow. During the descent,
the group will practice safe-travel protocols for avalanche-prone
terrain. The guide will also offer riders tips and techniques
for off-piste riding. Beacon searches, additional runs, and
a lunch breaks will round out the day. Cost of split-snowboards
is not included.
Equipment
list: Click here
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Private
guiding & custom tours: See Rate
Sheet for cost
We
look forward to matching your interests and abilities
with one of our personable, safety-conscious mountain
professionals. Whether you only have a day or two
to sample the Wasatch, or you can spare a week to
really get a feel for the United States' off-piste
paradise, single or multi-day tours, ski descents
and instructional packages can be tailored to your
needs and desires.
Tours can start using the ski lifts at Alta Ski Area or at The Canyons Resort
or start at a Forest Service trail head to reach Wilderness lands or other canyons.
Lift-accessed tours: Using chairlifts to get to an initial high starting point,
tour beyond area boundaries to beginner through expert backcountry terrain. For
a taste of mountaineering, the summit of a nearby peak may also be included.
Wilderness and multi-canyon tours: Starting from trailheads like White Pine,
Spruces, and Central Alta access intermediate through expert terrain away from
crowds and noise. Multi-canyon tours go from Big Cottonwood Canyon to Mill Creek
or from Little to Big Cottonwood.
-Avalanche beacons, rescue shovels and instruction in their use are provided
-Binding adapters, alpine touring and telemark skis, split-snowboards, snowshoes
and climbing skins can be rented from Exum
Equipment
list: Click here
*Basic
ski or snowboarding skills necessary
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