Solidify your backcountry touring fundamentals in this second part in our 3 part Intro to Backcountry series. This course is designed for someone who already has the basic training and experience to go on a backcountry tour, and is looking for the next step. Our Backcountry 1.0 course OR 5-10 days of touring experience are ideal prerequisites. Backcountry 2.0 picks up where 1.0 leaves off, introducing/continuing the basics of touring in the backcountry.
You must be an intermediate to advanced skier for this course and be comfortable on ungroomed terrain. Here is a good example of skiers and riders.
Location
This course will take place on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, within the Tahoe National Forest. We have many trailhead options at our disposal and your guide will pick the location with the best conditions for the day. Alpenglow operates in partnership with the Tahoe National Forest and Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows.
What to Expect
Depending on fitness level of the group, technical ability and daily conditions skiers and riders can expect to get multiple laps of fresh tracks while expanding upon techniques and skills learned on past tours. Terrain varies from wide open bowls to widely spaced trees.
Each morning starts off with a safety meeting with your guide and a gear check to make sure everyone has what they need for the day. Depending on the zone, we’ll either tour right out of our offices, or take a short drive to a trailhead.
Your guide will come prepared with a defined itinerary for the day, but you’ll have the opportunity to stop and ask questions along the way.
Who Can Participate
Intermediate and Advanced skiers or riders who have taken our Backcountry 1.0 course or who have prior experience of 5-10 backcountry days. Skiers and riders must be competent in a variety of terrain and snow conditions. Skiers and riders must be able to link turns on ungroomed runs while maintaining control. This is comparable to skiing ungroomed black diamond terrain confidently. This video gives a good example of intermediate to advanced skiers and riders.
Skiers or riders 12-16 years old can join us with a parent. 16 years and over are able to join without accompaniment.
Learning Outcomes
- Leadership in the backcountry setting
- Tour planning
- Avalanche hazard management
- Touring movement skills
Difficulty: Strong intermediate to advanced skiing level required.
Rentals
A complete backcountry touring setup is required. We have a small demo fleet that we rent to our clients at competitive prices. We rent beacons, probes, shovels, touring skis, touring boots and splitboards.
