Intro to Backcountry Skiing

Have you mastered resort skiing and are ready to venture beyond the boundary ropes? Or maybe you’re a confident hiker and snow camper with some ski experience, looking to learn the specifics of travelling outside the resort on skis? Then this trip is for you!

We’ll be heading up to Mt Hotham (most likely) for a jam-packed weekend focused on essential backcountry skills. We’ll aim to cover the following areas, with flexibility to dive into other topics as well:

Trip Planning

• Using MSC reports & weather forecasting tools
• Backcountry Companion

Using the Club Skis

• Skinning technique
• Transitions (uphill/downhill)
• Ski mode & risers

Snow Camping

• Choosing a camp spot
• Snow platform and tent setup

Basic Avalanche Theory

• Identifying avalanche terrain (slope angles, terrain traps)
• Risk assessment using the Avaluator

Avalanche Kit

• How beacons, probes, and shovels work
• Group beacon check
• Mock search & rescue

Requirements

You must already know how to ski. It doesn’t need to be advanced, but you should be able to confidently control your speed and direction. Please let us know your ability level using this guide.

Location

Conditions depending, we’ll likely be based around the Mt Loch region, camping overnight at Derrick’s Hut.

Cost

There’s no fixed cost for this trip. We’ll split parking permits and fuel evenly between the group. Optional: buying the leaders dinner or a beer is always appreciated.

Gear

A basic gear list will be linked here soon.

Most of the required equipment can be hired from the clubrooms for a small fee (don’t forget your $50 deposit).

Expression of Interest

This trip is currently an EOI, and dates may change. Please complete the trip questions so we can find a weekend that works for most people. Current dates that might work are 16-17 August and 23-24 August.

Disclaimer

We are not guides, this is not the equivalent of doing an AST1 or similar avalanche training. This is simply a beginner trip out to Derricks Hut with a focus on upskilling and getting used to the backcountry ski environment.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me (via the email above) or to our Snowsports Officer, Jacob.

** If other Ski Leaders are available to assist in running this trip we will be able to increase the participant numbers **