Play safe and stay safe now that you got your backcountry gear

Ok you got your pow boards, new avi beacon, shovel, probe, sweet new pair of skins and a killer new backpack. Now all you want to do is shred powder. Here are a few tidbits of knowledge to avoid the danger zone while gaining valuable experience in the truest form of skiing

For the DIY Types

If you're one of the majority of new age alpine tourers then you're goal is to do it yourself this winter. Before ducking the rope or heading into the backcountry you might want to consider:

Taking an Avalanche Safety Training Course

Winter backcountry travel, skiing and snowboarding are very popular and exciting sports but without proper knowledge, enthusiasts often take unnecessary risks. For Western Canadian based skiers consider educating  yourself with an introductory course in Canmore or Calgary to make your winter travels safer and much more enjoyable. If you're from the US then there are lots of courses available throughout the year

Participate in Wilderness First Aid Training

Wilderness First Aid training is important for all outdoor adventurers to have. These courses can be found throughout North America and use simulations and role-playing to help teach participants how to deal with real-life situations. The University of Calgary for example has a great Wilderness First Aid Course

Join a Freeride Touring Camp

Earlier this season, GAH  kicked off an innovative new  project designed to help people take their  backcountry skills to new heights while also getting a hefty dose of safety seminars. This resulted in creating Freeride Touring Camps. These camps build confidence in terrain choices, work on conditioning and enable you to become snow savvy at the same time. GAH is planning to hold Spring 2012 Freeride Touring Camps due to demand for this exciting new program

For the Show and Go Types

Leave the guiding and cooking to the pros is another great way to go this winter. For many with the budget but no disposable time then you're a Show and Go type. Here are some suggestions for you:

Book a Guided/Catered Trip

The deluxe way to go is to book a fully Guided and Catered trip. Consider picking a company with a client guide ratio of no more than 6:1 that way there's always the right group for every skier of every ability

Hire an ACMG Guide

ACMG guides/instructors are trained, examined and certified by an independent, internationally recognized body to the highest standard in Canada. This process is carried out through a partnership between the ACMG and Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops. In this relationship, TRU provides the course instruction and administration while the ACMG consults on the technical standards for each level of certification. This ensures that the training and assessment are both academically and experientially rigorous. It takes 6-8 years to complete the entire process and become a fully certified Mountain Guide

Hire a Cook

Food planning for a backcountry trip involves shopping, packing, menu planning, un-packing, sorting, recycling, re-packing, boxing and disposal. Consider offloading  this to an experienced backcountry chef. Spend time shredding powder not food this winter. Contact info for great Cooks

For Snow and Weather info

Knowledge is key to reducing risk and maximizing your ski adventures. Here are a few places to quickly get up to speed on what's happening out there:

Canadian Avalanche Centre

The Canadian Avalanche Center (CAC) is a non-government, not for profit organization dedicated to public avalanche safety. The CAC came into existence in 2004 with the support and collaboration of federal, provincial and private sector agencies involved in avalanche safety. They develop and deliver public avalanche bulletins and special avalanche warnings for many of the mountainous regions of western Canada. We also deliver avalanche bulletins and advisories on behalf of partner agencies and organizations. These services are available to the public free of charge

Wisegoat

Wisegoat  is a website provided by a number of backcountry lodges located in British Columbia. WISEGOAT.ca is dedicated to sharing weather and snowpack information to benefit these lodges and the backcountry winter recreation community. We hope you find this information useful for planning and enjoying backcountry travel in this region

GAH Snow Conditions Page

GAH has a great snow conditions report with regular submissions by guides and trained individuals throughout the winter

The choices are limitless

In BC the choices are limitless.The BLBCA represents 27 lodges nestled throughout western Canada's four major mountain ranges; the Coast Range, the Cariboo-Chilcotin's, the Columbia's and the Rockies