Pre-Course Information

Intro to Backcountry Skiing Course

Please use this list to prepare for your Intro Backcountry Skiing Course with AGC. Also see the AGC Avalanche Resources page. Please contact the lead instructor with questions at alaskaguidecollective@gmail.com.

• December 28-29, 2024 with a Dec 26th 7pm Zoom meeting. Lead instructor: Nick

Pre-Course Homework

1. Complete one adult waiver or one minor waiver (under 18) per person.

2. Practice with your field gear so you're ready.

3. Cut your skins. It takes time, and you don’t want to mess it up.

4. Optional reading: The Avalanche Factor by Joe Stock or Avalanche Essentials by Bruce Tremper.

5. Optional reading: Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering by Volken, Schell, and Wheeler.

Prepare for the Cold!

We will be standing around more than on a normal day of backcountry skiing. It might be cold. See also the detailed gear list. Some additional tips:

• Bring a BIG backpack to put all this stuff in.

• Bring multiple puff layers: two puff coats, puff pants or puff skirt.

• Bring big insulated boots like Muck Arctic boots for the parking lot debrief.

• Bring a thermos of hot drink for the trail.

• Leave a thermos of hot drink in your car for afterward.

• Eat a big breakfast and eat all day long.

• Keep your toes warm with clean socks, heat packs, possibly electric socks (Lenz are best), or 40 Below Fresh Tracks overboots.

• Consider bringing extra layers in the car like a sleeping bag to wrap around your shoulders for the parking lot debrief.

Itinerary

• Day 0: 7:00 - 7:30pm Zoom meeting (Dec 26). We’ll email a link the week before.

  • Trip discussion

  • Selecting gear

  • Packing gear

  • Questions

• Day 1: 8am meeting inside CoasT Pizza in Girdwood. Followed by a full field day at Turnagain Pass.

  • Trip planning

  • Using touring boots, bindings and skins

  • Trailhead checks

  • Avalanche rescue

  • Avalanche avoidance

  • 4 - 4:30 pm debrief at Turnagain Pass

• Day 2: 8am meeting inside CoasT Pizza in Girdwood. Followed by a full field day at Turnagain Pass.

  • Skinning and track setting technique

  • Backcountry downhill skiing technique

  • Recognizing and avoiding dangers

  • 4 - 4:30 pm debrief at Turnagain Pass

• Please Note: If the weather forecast predicts poor learning conditions at Turnagain Pass we may shift to Hatcher Pass or the Anchorage Front Range.

Includes

• Two days (16 hours) of instruction.

• Professional instructors: AMGA-certified Ski Guides and American Avalanche Association Pro 2 certified.

• 5:1 max student to instructor ratio.

• Avalanche Awareness certificate of completion recognized by the American Avalanche Association.

• Group gear: navigation kit, first aid kit, repair kits, emergency communication, and shelter.

Does Not Include

• Lodging, food, and drink.

• Transportation to and from the trailhead.

• Personal gear and avalanche rescue gear. See gear list.

• Rescue and trip insurance (recommended). See Avalanche Reservation and Insurance Policy for details.

Prerequisites

• Advanced downhill ability. You must be able to ski or splitboard black diamond runs at the resort without falling. Being in control is fundamental to reducing risk, group compatibility, group learning, and your learning.

• Age 14 or older and with someone who can drive to the field.

• Have your personal gear ready for field day. See gear list. Snowboarders must have split-boards and skins. Sorry, no snowshoes on this course. Note that you do not need a snow saw, ETC cord or GPS navigation app for this course.

• Fitness for two full days in the mountains, skinning up 500-2,000 vertical feet each day.

• Be prepared to remain outside all day in cold and foul weather.