Backcountry skiing is at an all-time high right now, as more and more people buy AT gear and skin into the mountains. But things like avalanches can be intimidating or even a deal-breaker, so education is key. The Utah Avalanche Center, along with SheJumps, are teaming up to offer the Women’s Backcountry 101 course. If you’re a female skier who has an interest in the backcountry, but don’t know how or where to begin, then this course is tailor made for you.
According to the Utah Avalanche Center, on Thursday, January 30, a UAC forecaster will use videos, slides, stories and class exercises to explain avalanche characteristics, snowpack fundamentals, clues to instability, terrain assessment, safe travel techniques, rescue techniques and decision-making. This course is designed to accommodate both women who are beginners and those who have taken a class or spend a decent amount of time in the backcountry and would like to brush up on their skills. For the field day on February 1st, participants will be dividing up into groups by experience, ability and interest, with a ratio of 6 students with one instructor. Instructors are all female and include: Evelyn Lees, Anna Keeling, Paige Pagnucco, and Winslow Passey.
On Saturday, participants will meet and break into groups of 6 and make travel plans based on current conditions. They will take one ride up a lift and then leave the resort via an access gate and spend the rest of the day touring the backcountry surrounding Brighton. In order to qualify for the course, you’ll need to be at least an intermediate level skier, capable of skiing uphill with skins and descending intermediate level slopes in ungroomed, challenging conditions. You will also need skis or splitboard, boots, bindings and skins capable of uphill and downhill travel no snowshoes or hiking will be allowed. You must also be familiar with your equipment and ready to use it. You will need a pack but the instructors will have loaners on hand.
Additional items needed include:
- Food
- Water
- Warm clothes
- Beacon
- Shovel
- Probe First aid and repair kit
The classroom session happens on Thursday, January 30th from 6 to 9pm at Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, in Salt Lake City.
Then on Saturday, february 1st, the field course happens from 8am to 4pm at Brighton. Meet on the 3rd floor of the Alpine Rose, with all your gear and boots on, ready to go. They suggest arranging to carpool on Thursday night.
The Utah Avalanche Center also recommends that you read “Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain” by Bruce Tremper and “Snow Sense” by Jill Fredston and Doug Fesler prior to class.
For more information, go to www.shejumps.org/region/intermountain