what course do backcountry guides have to take

Beyond the typical weekend course, aspirant guides need to attend a two-week training, pass a day’s worth of tests, and then maintain that certification (in week-long re-certs) for as long as they work. Then comes avalanche training. That starts with AST 1 (a weekend course), then AST 2.

Full Answer

What is a beginner backcountry ski and splitboard course?

Winter Stoke. Get inspired! Popular Day Tours. Spend your day with a certified backcountry ski guide. What we do best! We specialize in single day trips around Golden, Revelstoke, Lake Louise, Banff & Yoho National Parks. Join us for an elevated and unforgettable experience in some of the best ski touring terrain on the planet!

How do I learn backcountry hunting basics?

Our Backcountry 1.0 course is the ideal preparation for an AIARE 1 avalanche course. You must be an advanced intermediate skier/rider that is competent on and off-piste in a variety of conditions. Here is a good example of intermediate skiers and riders. Backcountry 1.0 is the first part in our three-part intro to backcountry series.

How do I get Started in the backcountry?

The shift from resort skiing and boarding to the backcountry has taken off in recent years and our beginner backcountry ski and splitboard course will give you the foundational skills you need to get out of the lift lines. Our certified guides will teach you to use the gear, how to route find, and to backcountry ski on this course. Whether your objective is to find untracked backcountry …

How do I prepare for a backcountry ski trip?

Jan 31, 2017 · In the backcountry, you may be reading maps to find your way on a lake or river, to go in the right direction in a whiteout on a mountain, or to decide which trail to take if you are backpacking. Pick up a book on map and compass skills and practice orienteering or take a class offered by a local outfitter.

What do you need to be a backcountry ski guide?

To get your Ski and/or Splitboard Guide Certification, you must complete:Either the 5 day Alpine Skills Course (ASC) or the 10 day Rock Guide Course (RGC)The 10-day Ski Guide Course (SGC) – VIDEO APPLICATION REQUIRED FOR 2020 SGCS.The 10-day Advanced Ski Guide Course and Aspirant Exam (ASGC/AE)More items...

How do you become a certified guide?

To be a certified Rock Guide, candidates must complete the 10 day Rock Guide Course, 10 day Advanced Rock Guide Course and Aspirant Exam, and finally pass the 6 day Rock Guide Exam.Feb 16, 2021

What does it take to become a mountain guide?

The ticket to becoming a mountain guide is to become accomplished in these sports, take courses from a reputable guide service or climbing school, or hire a certified guide for private instruction. Pursue training and certification. All credible professions require formal education or training and proof of competency.

How much does a backcountry ski guide make?

Once you get a job, remember that the guiding industry is ruled by seniority. It takes time to establish yourself, build your clientele, and stay busy. The annual salary of a ski guide is about $34,000 plus tips.

How many IFMGA guides are there in the world?

The IFMGA is the international governing body responsible for guiding standards and education around the world. When an Aspirant Mountain Guide become certified in all three disciplines by the AMGA, the IFMGA licenses them as an international Mountain Guide. There are about 150 IFMGA guides in the United States.

How long does it take to become an Ifmga guide?

An IFMGA guide? Ray: To become a certified Rock Guide is a three-part process consisting of 26 days of training and examination by the AMGA. Some guides complete the process in as fast as 2 years, though I believe most guides completing the Rock Guide track are certified within 3-4 years.Sep 27, 2018

How hard is it to become a mountain guide?

Absolutely. But you really must love getting up early and working hard. Mountain guiding isn't easy, it can be scary, and it can be really, really cold. But often it's all of those things but at the same time totally amazing.May 3, 2021

How do I become a hiking guide in Canada?

Students entering the Hiking Guide certificate program must be 19+ years of age and possess at minimum the following recreational hiking experience: 3 years of hiking experience in a variety of regions; 30 day hikes; 10 with a minimum 700m elevation gain/loss; and.

How do you become a professional mountaineer?

Most institutes require the completion of the Basic Mountaineering Course (with a certain grade) to register for the Advanced Mountaineering Course. After completing the Advanced Mountaineering Course (with a certain grade), one can apply for the Method of Instruction or/and the Search and Rescue course.Sep 12, 2018

How much do Denali guides make?

Most first-year guides make between $120 and $150 a day for overnight trips, and less for day work.Jul 22, 2019

How much do Mt Rainier guides make?

Guide Pay and Compensation: Base pay is $175 per day for entry-level guides. A guide's experience, training, and certifications will increase this base rate. Guides are tipped on average 10% of the program cost by each client they work with.

How do you become a helicopter ski guide?

Experience Requirements: Minimum of 20 additional days of on-snow guiding experience, in at least two ski seasons, with a Helicopter Skiing Operation.

Overview

The backcountry beckons with adventure and freedom. Baker Mountain Guides’ Intro to Backcountry Skiing Course is designed to teach the fundamentals of backcountry travel.

Itinerary

Baker Mountain Guides offers scheduled, one-day Intro to Backcountry Skiing Courses. Custom dates available upon request.

Book Your Course

Ready to get the skills you need for your own adventures? We just need a few details to book your course.

Overview

This one day course will introduce you to the fundamentals of backcountry skiing and snowboarding. After this course, you will be able to plan and execute an efficient yet simple backcountry tour. Come out and learn the techniques and tricks from a professional ski guide, and get away from the lifts and the crowds of the ski area.

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 the fitness level of the group, technical ability and daily conditions, skiers and riders can expect multiple laps of fresh tracks while learning various tips and tricks from your guide during both the uphill and downhill portions of the day. Terrain varies from wide open bowls to widely spaced trees.

Who Can Participate

Intermediate and advanced downhill skiers or riders, with little to no backcountry experience are welcome on this course. 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 black diamond terrain confidently while maintaining control.

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.

Preparation

Excellent physical fitness is required. Skiers and riders must be able to hike for many hours at a time while carrying a pack.

What others are saying about this trip

Being new to backcountry skiing in Lake Tahoe, I wanted to learn as quickly as possible by hiring a guide. I settled on Alpenglow Expeditions and never looked back. The office staff were very professional prior to my trip, and my guide Tim Dobbins was one of the most knowledgable skiers I've ever skied with.

What is backcountry touring?

Backcountry ski or splitboard touring is 100% powered by you and your leg muscles (or lack thereof). Touring is typically done off-piste and outside of ski resorts in uncontrolled terrain, but many ski resorts are starting to allow “uphill access” or touring to occur in bounds at certain times and on marked uphill routes.

What is a mechanized backcountry ski?

Mechanized backcountry skiing and riding refers to any skiing/riding aided by machines on the uphill. Essentially the opposite of touring, but still considered to be backcountry because it occurs in uncontrolled avalanche terrain. One of the easiest to enjoy for the price is riding lifts/trams in order to access “sidecountry” like the Shuksan Arm at the Mt. Baker Ski Area. When sidecountry skiing, keep in mind that you are still in the backcountry and subject to backcountry hazards, regardless of how close you are to the ski area boundary. Even closed runs within the ski area should be considered backcountry terrain from an avalanche perspective. Many folks have got themselves killed right outside the rope line. As avalanche educators, we actually hate the word “sidecountry” because it implies that it’s “backcountry lite.” It’s not. We just haven’t come up with a better term.

What are the different types of avalanches?

Not all avalanches are the same. In order to communicate the distinct personalities of avalanches, experts identified nine distinct problem types you could encounter on any given day in the backcountry. These are: 1 Loose dry 2 Loose Wet 3 Wind Slab 4 Storm Slab 5 Wet Slab 6 Persistent Slab 7 Deep Persistent Slab 8 Cornice Fall 9 Glide Avalanche

What is traverse skiing?

Traverses usually involve ski mountaineering if the traverse occurs in mountainous terrain. However, ski traverse are unique enough that they have earned the right to be their own category of backcountry skiing. Where for backcountry touring you usually start and end at the same place, traverses take you longer distances across ranges and take multiple days to complete. Traverses like the Haute Route or Spearhead Traverse are incredibly popular for not just their beauty, but the ease of access with well-maintained hut systems. In the Cascades, without the luxury of maintained huts, traverses are much more rugged as you must establish and breakdown your camp scene each day. The North Cascades are a never-ending backcountry rider’s paradise and have quite a few classic ski traverses to choose from.

Do you need crampons for skis?

Ski crampons are one of those items that you don’t need most of the time while out skiing or riding in the backcountry, but are a HUGE bummer to not have when you do need them. Like a boot crampon, a ski crampon gives you more purchase in hard or icy conditions. Usually, they attach to your binding and insert directly under your boot. The binding attachment point is hinged so the crampon releases from the snow as you lift your foot, and then bite into the snow when you step down. In firm conditions, especially while side-hilling, ski crampons are essential. This is especially true for splitboarders. The lack of torsional rigidity and the shorter effective edge on a splitboard creates huge problems while side-hilling.

What does AT stand for in skiing?

Skis aren’t tires. As such, “AT” stands for Alpine Touring, not all-terrain. To be totally honest, any downhill ski will work as an AT ski, as long as you mount ’em up with an AT ski binding. However, if you want to actually enjoy backcountry touring, you may want to take a few things into consideration when selecting a pair of AT skis.

Can you go downhill in the backcountry?

Once you transition to downhill in the backcountry, things can go wrong in a hurry. Though there are many incidents where travelers are caught in avalanches on the up-track, the majority of accidents happen on the downhill. Where you’ve hopefully been traveling pretty close together and utilizing the uphill travel techniques above appropriately, it’s much easier to spread out and lose each other once gravity is on your side. Skiing or riding downhill is really fun… so enter the human factor again. Below are some common travel strategies to help manage folks through the terrain.

How to learn backcountry basics?

You can also learn them gradually, by doing short trips close to home, and asking questions at your local outdoor outfitter. Books can be helpful, too, but they are no substitute for experience.

How to go to the backcountry?

It may seem like there is a lot to learn, to go to the backcountry; that’s because there is! Start with small steps, perhaps a few overnight camping trips at a state park near home or in your back yard, to get used to your gear and to learn what you need and don’t need to take. Then go a little farther.

What does it mean to go out in the backcountry?

Going out means setting aside modern life for a while. It means taking a journey that requires you to rely on yourself and your companions, to live simply, to be active outside in whatever weather ...

What does it mean to be in the wilderness?

It means taking a journey that requires you to rely on yourself and your companions, to live simply, to be active outside in whatever weather shows up. The wilderness challenges us to be prepared, to learn the ways of the environment around us, and to carry just enough gear to be safe and comfortable, but no more.

Can you use a tarp for shelter?

Tarps are adaptable, and can take on shapes beyond the “A frame.”. Use a tent, tarp or parts of the environment for shelter. Whatever shelter you choose, practice setting it up before you go into the backcountry. You’ll want to be sure all the parts are there for the tent, or that you know a few knots to set up a tarp.

What fuel do you use for a stove?

Some stoves require white gas, which is highly flammable and requires re-fillable metal bottles. Other stoves use cans of pressurized gas . This is a very convenient fuel, but a bit heavier packaging to tote around. Once the canisters are empty, you still have to carry them. Still other stoves use a type of alcohol. If you decide to buy a stove, ask someone at your outfitter store to show you the different types and to help you decide which might be best for you on your planned camping trips.

What is the purpose of shelter?

Shelter. Shelter can be as simple as borrowing a tent or purchasing a tarp to have a roof over your head on any and all of your camping trips. Several options can help shield you from the elements, which is the whole purpose of shelter. Tents are heavier, but warmer. They keep insects out.

Where did Backcountry Babes first take place?

My first experience with Backcountry Babes was an Avalanche course in Alaska. Students and instructors were all such inspiring women and the places we got to explore in Alaska were unforgettable!

Who is Kirstin from Backcountry Babes?

Kirstin has been working as a ski patroller at Breckenridge Ski Resort since 2008 and received her Paramedic certification in 2012. Kirstin has been teaching outdoor education since she was 16 and is especially empowered by working with women aspiring to become more skilled in the outdoors. She has been with Backcountry Babes for 11 years now; starting as an intern in college and diligently working up to the fully certified Avalanche professional and educator she is today.

Touring the Selkirks and Monashees

Though less dramatic than our Rockies, the Selkirks and Monashees are a touring mecca thanks to deep, stable snow, exceptional tree runs and moderate temperatures. The new Get Lost adventure centre at Rossland’s Red Mountain Resort is where you’ll find backcountry guides to show you the goods on various peaks beyond Granite Mountain.

Touring with Sol Mountain

A short helicopter hop from Golden or Revelstoke will take you to any one of a dozen or so remote huts specializing in widely varying programs of guided and catered touring. Guide-founded Sol Mountain typifies the vibe of these private kingdoms, which tend to combine hut-like scale with lodge-like amenities.

Hardcore backcountry skiing

Where can a hardcore find the best of the best? Try Selkirk Mountain Experience, where Swiss-born guide Ruedi Beglinger got in early to snatch one of the most magnificent ski mountaineering tenures in the province. Expect long days with multiple towering objectives.