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Backcountry Skiing - Colorado Details
Length - 2 days
Cost - $450 ($650 if 1:1)
Max Ratio - 4:1
Capacity - 8
Location
Ouray, Colorado
Prerequisites
Previous alpine (downhill) skiing experience
Program Dates
Dec 18 - Dec 19, 2009
Dec 22 - Dec 23, 2009
Jan 1 - Jan 2, 2010
Jan 8 - Jan 9, 2010
Jan 15 - Jan 16, 2010
Jan 29 - Jan 30, 2010
Feb 19 - Feb 20, 2010
Feb 26 - Feb 27, 2010
Mar 5 - Mar 6, 2010
Mar 12 - Mar 13, 2010
Mar 19 - Mar 20, 2010
Mar 26 - Mar 27, 2010

 

Backcountry Skiing - Colorado
Introduction


Skiing in the backcountry near Red Mountain Pass, Ouray, CO. Dylan Taylor.

The San Juan mountains, a sub-range of the Colorado Rockies, have some of the best power stashes in North America. The low density snow continental snowpack and the short-lived storms combine to make the Colorado backcountry one of the most sought after destinations for ski touring in the US. However, leaving the groomed trails of the ski area in order to pursue fresh tracks in the backcountry takes some special knowledge and training to do safely.

This Intro to Backcountry skiing program is aimed at ski touring for mountaineering and off-piste ski tours. The high mountains and deep valleys of the Red Mountain Pass area above Ouray provides an ideal location for both beginner and advanced skiers alike.

AAI's Winter Comprehensive Progression

This backcountry skiing program may be combined with our winter mountaineering program and our waterfall ice climbing programs, also held in the Sierra Nevada, CA. When taken together, or pieced together over a season or two, these programs combine to make up our "winter comprehensive curriculum." Here are the links to the other other two program in this progression:

  1. Winter Mountaineering (Ouray, CO)
  2. Waterfall Ice Climbing (Ouray, CO)

This backcountry skiing program may be taught at three levels, Intro, Intermediate, and Advanced. The first skiers to enroll in a given date determine the level that the program. Outside of our scheduled dates, course and climbs may be schedule by private arrangement as well.



Skiing in the backcountry near Red Mountain Pass, Ouray, CO. Dylan Taylor.

Course Goals and Curriculum

At the intro level, this course is aimed at developing the hard skills and techniques associated with uphill and downhill travel on alpine touring and telemark gear. Additionally, traveling in the mountains, especially in winter, requires knowledge of route finding, decision making, terrain and snow assessment, and avalanche rescue skills.

Specifically, in each of our courses, we seek to help you develop a good working knowledge of:

  • Ski touring gear, selection and application
  • Transceivers and avalanche equipment, selection and application
  • Skiing technique
  • Terrain analysis for uphill and downhill track laying
  • Navigation including, GPS, map, and compass
  • Tour planning
  • We will also help refine personal backcountry skiing skills based on the needs and desire of the participants.


  • Skiing in the backcountry near Red Mountain Pass, Ouray, CO. Dylan Taylor.

    Other Backcountry Skiing Programs
    We also hold backcountry skiing programs at all levels in the Cascades of Washington State and in the Sierra Nevada in California.
    1. Intro to Backcountry Skiing (Cascades, WA)
    2. Ski Mountaineering Instruction, Ascents & Descents
    3. Intro to Backcountry Skiing (Sierra, CA)

Follow Up Programs
3-Day Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue Course
3 days Beginner Mt. Baker, North Cascades (WA) May - September
If you lack glacier skills or if you are "rusty" with them, or if you plan to climb Rainier and your team needs a refresher, completing this three-day Rainier Prep program is the quick and dirty answer.

 
Alpinism 1 - Intro
6 Days Beginner North Cascades, WA May - September
Spend one day on rock and five on the glaciers of Mt. Baker to acquire a full range of mountaineering techniques that will make you a skilled climber capable of making ascents of alpine routes of intermediate difficulty. Climb Mt. Baker.

 
Ski the Alps - Haute Route
8 days Intermediate Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland April - May
Our high route through the heart of the Alps is among the most scenic alpine tours in the world. We combine safety and avalanche training with glacier skiing techniques on this incredible ski traverse.

 


American Alpine Institute (AAI)
1515 12th Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
info@aai.cc

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