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

Course date: December 18

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 introduction to backcountry skiing with this introductory level course. Our 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:
Field Day: We’ll meet at the Heather Meadows and go over equipment and packing for backcountry skiing and riding. Then, we’ll head out on a tour for the rest of the day, focusing on uphill travel techniques, transitions and communication.

Students will gain exposure with how to complete rounded, AVA, and multiple types of kick turns in order to make the uphill more enjoyable and avoid common mistakes like the "V of Doom" or tip dive.

Students will also have multiple opportunities to engage with transitions from up to down and vice versa with mentorship from our patient and fun AMGA trained and certified ski/split guides.

Program cost includes avalanche safety and touring equipment.