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Advice Needed for newbie to Alpine Touring

post #1 of 9
12/29/07 at 6:58pm
Thread Starter 
I'm turning to this forum for some advice on how to get into Alpine Touring. I have been skiing since I was six and I am now 30, in good shape, and want to start doing some Alpine touring but really know nothing about it except that it will take me to clean powdery runs here in CA, Utah and CO. I live in San Diego and my challenge is trying to find some place that will give training so I can get started. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about getting some training before just venturing out? I found a couple schools but most are in Europe and the one I found in CA seems to have limited dates, any other suggestions?


http://www.alpineskills.com/alp_skiextreme.html (this seems like my best choice from what I can tell seeing it is only a few hours of travel from San Diego).
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post #2 of 9
12/29/07 at 7:05pm
See if you can take an avalanche awareness class. After that you'll want to invest in some backcountry gear like a probe, shovel, etc. Once you do that you should try and see if you can hook up with some experienced bc skiers who can show you some of the small things you might not have picked up on.
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post #3 of 9
12/29/07 at 8:50pm
That course looks good - Vadasz DesLauriers would be very experienced teachers - but you should try to tie it in with one of their Avy 1 classes:
http://www.alpineskills.com/avalanche1.html

Avy 1 training should be required for everyone venturing into wild snow. It's your ass.
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post #4 of 9
12/30/07 at 8:31am
Alpine Skills International is great. I used to work at the shop they are located in. That's where I got my avy certs. So, I wouldn't say to not go there, but these guys are in Bishop which works a little better for San Diego. http://www.sierramountaincenter.com/index.html.
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post #5 of 9
12/30/07 at 9:40am
Kirkwood has expanded its offerings to include guided backcountry and cat skiing, avalanche awareness training and avy I certification. If you have the time and money to stay at the resort to take advantage of this it would be very worthwhile. Kirkwood offers great terrain that can be accessed with a fairly easy hike off the top of the lifts. The guided experience gives you a chance to get hands-on learning experience in the terrain you will eventually use.

http://www.kirkwood.com/winter/exped...ackcountry.php
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post #6 of 9
12/30/07 at 1:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cirquerider View Post
Kirkwood has expanded its offerings to include guided backcountry and cat skiing, avalanche awareness training and avy I certification. If you have the time and money to stay at the resort to take advantage of this it would be very worthwhile. Kirkwood offers great terrain that can be accessed with a fairly easy hike off the top of the lifts. The guided experience gives you a chance to get hands-on learning experience in the terrain you will eventually use.

http://www.kirkwood.com/winter/exped...ackcountry.php

+1

Cat skiing/guided skiing is a good way to get an introduction to the sport. Cat skiing won't get you the uphill part of the experience but it will give you an idea of what the terrain is like. Avy training and gear is crucial.

BC skiing is a sport you do with partners, so you're going to want to a) develop the skillset and b) hook up with some people interested in the same terrain as you are wanting to pursue - who have AT LEAST your experience/training re: avalanche awareness. Avy classes are a good place to do this if you don't already know any backcountry skiers.

If you're interested in learning in Utah and Colorado, check out Exum Mountain Guides in Utah and San Juan Ski Company in Durango. Go to www.avalanche.org to look for avalanche classes in areas that are of interest to you.
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post #7 of 9
12/30/07 at 8:38pm
yeah, that extreme course does look pretty interesting eh? You might want to start with something a bit more intro.. maybe you just meant ASI in general?

FWIW, I've taken 2 classes through ASI (just had Avy1) and would highly recommend them.

the comments about Cat skiing are spot on. That's how I caught the bug..
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post #8 of 9
12/30/07 at 8:56pm
Another stepping stone often overlooked is 'rugged touring'. You can either use XC/tele gear, or AT/tele gear with skins for low angle, safe area excursions to help get in the mode, get your feet wet and helps with conditioning.
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post #9 of 9
4/6/12 at 11:47am

Thanks for the ASI tips, guys. I grew up skiing Tuckerman Ravine in New Hampshire and really miss that kind of fun. I was younger, without a family, and I didn't think about the consequences of no-fall skiing then. Today, with a wife and kid in my back pocket, it's nice to see there's somewhere I can go to brush up on and improve my abilities.

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