We are SO excited to partner this year with Cascade Mountain Ascents to provide winter programming for the Shifting Gears community.

Course Date:
February 27

Tiered pricing system available based on income.

Register for this course on CMA’s website.

About this Program:
Join Shifting Gears and CMA in the ultimate introduction to backcountry touring. This two-part program is designed to provide a solid introduction to avalanche awareness and backcountry skiing and riding. This course is for women (queer, trans, and cis-gendered) and gender expansive folks wanting to begin their backcountry touring career in a supportive and community-focused learning environment. Whether you’re looking to try out backcountry touring for the first time, or to get a skills refreshed and knock the rust off at the beginning of the season, this course is for you!

This one-day Intro to Backcountry courses teach students how to choose and use their gear, travel up and downhill, and plan a day of backcountry skiing or riding. This course is an excellent way to prepare for your first avalanche course and will equip you with the foundational travel skills needed to begin your backcountry riding journey.

Course Details:
We’ll meet in Glacier, WA and go over equipment and packing for backcountry skiing and riding. Afterwards, we’ll travel to the Heather Meadows trailhead and get out on a tour for the rest of the day, focusing on uphill travel techniques, transitions and communication.

*Touring Gear and winter gear is available for participants to borrow from Backcountry Essentials. We will make sure you have everything you need to be safe and comfortable on this course.