Introduction To Alpine TouringSM

Students Per Instructor: 1, 2 or 3
Course Length: 2 Days (approx. 8 hours per day)
Seasons Offered: Winter
Alpine Mastery Method: Ski Mastery - Level I
Prerequisites: None

Course Summary: This course teaches skiing techniques using alpine touring gear for ski descents in the backcountry.

Reservations

Course Description:
On radical terrain and demanding snow conditions lightweight nordic equipment becomes very difficult to use effectively. The additional support of alpine touring equipment can allow skiers to enjoy descents that would otherwise be too difficult.

The first day’s objective will be to adapt your alpine skiing technique to conditions we encounter in the backcountry. We’ll also cover the use of climbing skins and skiing in the trees.

Our goal for the second day will be to climb and ski one of the open slide tracks in the “High Peaks”.

This course is for advanced skiers who can comfortably ski “most difficult” trails at an alpine (downhill) ski area.

Suggested Reading: Free-Heel Skiing: Telemark and Parallel Techniques For All Conditions, Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series, 2001.