Ski & snowboard backcountry touring and mountaineering programs

Have you dreamed of standing at the top of an uncrowded backcountry slope, poised to launch off into dozens of silent powder turns? "Backcountry touring" is mountain travel involving the use of climbing skins to reach skiable slopes outside resorts.

The Wasatch Mountain Range offers unparalleled ski lift or trailhead access to deep, light snow in wide-open bowls, protected glades, and steep chutes for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. Using special adapters that fit your alpine skis and boots, or telemark, split snowboard or alpine touring gear, Exum provides guidance and instruction on backcountry touring.

Backcountry programs - Winter 2007 - 2008

Backcountry programs available:

Backcountry touring seminars

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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