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| Length - 2 days |
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| Cost - $450 ($650 if 1:1) |
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| Max Ratio - 4:1 |
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| Capacity - 8 |
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Location
Ouray, Colorado |
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| Previous alpine (downhill) skiing experience |
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Backcountry Skiing - Colorado |
Introduction
Skiing in the backcountry near Red Mountain Pass, Ouray, CO. Dylan Taylor.
The San Juan mountains, a sub-range of the Colorado Rockies, have some of the best power stashes in North America. The low density snow continental snowpack and the short-lived storms combine to make the Colorado backcountry one of the most sought after destinations for ski touring in the US. However, leaving the groomed trails of the ski area in order to pursue fresh tracks in the backcountry takes some special knowledge and training to do safely.
This Intro to Backcountry skiing program is aimed at ski touring for mountaineering and off-piste ski tours. The high mountains and deep valleys of the Red Mountain Pass area above Ouray provides an ideal location for both beginner and advanced skiers alike.
AAI's Winter Comprehensive Progression
This backcountry skiing program may be combined with our winter mountaineering program and our waterfall ice climbing programs, also held in the Sierra Nevada, CA. When taken together, or pieced together over a season or two, these programs combine to make up our "winter comprehensive curriculum." Here are the links to the other other two program in this progression:
- Winter Mountaineering (Ouray, CO)
- Waterfall Ice Climbing (Ouray, CO)
This backcountry skiing program may be taught at three levels, Intro, Intermediate, and Advanced. The first skiers to enroll in a given date determine the level that the program. Outside of our scheduled dates, course and climbs may be schedule by private arrangement as well.
Skiing in the backcountry near Red Mountain Pass, Ouray, CO. Dylan Taylor.
Course Goals and Curriculum
At the intro level, this course is aimed at developing the hard skills and techniques associated with uphill and downhill travel on alpine touring and telemark gear. Additionally, traveling in the mountains, especially in winter, requires knowledge of route finding, decision making, terrain and snow assessment, and avalanche rescue skills.
Specifically, in each of our courses, we seek to help you develop a good working knowledge of:
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Follow Up Programs
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| 3-Day Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue Course |
| 3 days |
Beginner |
Mt. Baker, North Cascades (WA) |
May - September |
| If you lack glacier skills or if you are "rusty" with them, or if you plan to climb a glaciated peak and your team needs a refresher, completing this three-day program is the quick and dirty answer. |
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| Alpinism 1 - Intro |
| 6 Days |
Beginner |
North Cascades, WA |
May - September |
| Spend one day on rock and five on the glaciers of Mt. Baker to acquire a full range of mountaineering techniques that will make you a skilled climber capable of making ascents of alpine routes of intermediate difficulty. Climb Mt. Baker. |
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| Guided Ski Ascents and Tours in Washington |
| 1 Day and Up |
Beginner to Advanced |
Washington |
December - May |
| Join an expert ski guide on an ascent of one of Washington's volcanoes, or take a ski tour in the North Cascades. These private courses are open to skiers and snowboarders of all levels, depending on the tour. |
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| Ski Mountaineering |
| 6 day ski mountaineering clinic |
Intermediate |
North Cascades, WA |
March - June |
| Develop the good judgment and technical skills required for skiing on complex glaciers, while doing some of the best skiing available in the lower 48 states. |
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| Ski the Alps - Haute Route |
| 8 days |
Intermediate |
Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland |
April - May |
| Our high route through the heart of the Alps is among the most scenic alpine tours in the world. We combine safety and avalanche training with glacier skiing techniques on this incredible ski traverse. |
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American Alpine Institute (AAI) |
1515 12th Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
info@aai.cc |
© 2011 American Alpine Institute, Ltd. All Rights Reserved
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