Continuum: “A continuous extent, succession, or whole, no part of which can be distinguished from neighboring parts except by arbitrary division” (American Heritage Dictionary). No other word can better define the skill set needed to be a competent backcountry skier.

This program covers every aspect of backcountry skiing from powder runs in the winter to steep chutes in the spring. It begins with a day skiing Bridger Bowl’s easily accessible backcountry where all of the essential skills will be covered: gear familiarization, transceiver training, skinning technique, avalanche awareness, and regulating body temperature. On the following session, participants will attend a special avalanche safety course instructed by the Friends of the Avalanche Center.

Building on those fundamental skills, the remainder of the program focuses on filling in the slots that form a “continuous whole” to mold participants into independent and self-reliant backcountry skiers. The only way to do that is to ski – a lot. After covering over 6,000 vertical feet in the next two sessions, participants will be ready for an overnight ski traverse where traveling light, route finding, and sleeping in an improvised snow shelter will be the primary objective. As powder turns to corn, the program will then change with the seasons. Our attention will be on learning new skills to tackle steeper terrain: self arrest, booting technique, and the fine are of using crampons with ski boots. All of these skills will be learned and mastered on a three day overnight trip.

In sum, the Backcountry Skiing Continuum program offers a tremendous amount of great skiing, a lifelong skill set, and an opportunity to make long lasting friendships.

Backcountry skiing experience is not required, but participants should be able to comfortably ski or snowboard intermediate runs; and be in good physical condition.

Participant to instructor ratio: 3:1
Cost per person: $1,420
Dates:

           January (TBA)
           February (TBA)
           March (TBA)
           April (TBA)
           May (TBA)

For more information email: erin@montanamountaineering.org