Compare Winter Backcountry Touring by National Outdoor Leadership School
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 12 days |
| Price From | $ 2,525 |
| Price Per Day | $ 210 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
| Description |
Enter the world of winter in the mountains. You’ll learn about winter camping, touring in the backcountry, and what it feels like to ski down untracked powder on your own mountain. If you are new to skiing or snowboarding, we recommend taking a few lessons ahead of time to get the most out of your course. You will spend the first few days of your course at the NOLS Teton Valley base reviewing gear, honing your skills at Grand Targhee Ski Resort, and learning the basics of avalanche assessment. Then, you will head into the backcountry along the western flanks of the Tetons. Famous for their craggy peaks and dramatic vertical rise, the Tetons are also known for dependable snow and excellent riding. |
This course is specifically designed for adult learners: it lasts 12 days to make it more convenient for those traveling and taking time off work, but is still packed with plenty of time to practice skills and ride some powder. The course begins with ski instruction at Grand Targhee Resort; then you’ll start your time in the backcountry, first in a yurt (a semi- permanent, soft-walled structure heated by a wood stove), then in snow shelters that you’ll build yourself. In the backcountry, we’ll have quick access to untracked powder skiing and riding. While in the backcountry, you’ll learn how to build snow shelters, hone avalanche skills, and seek fresh powder, all while integrating the NOLS leadership curriculum into your newfound riding or skiing skills. This trip is a perfect winter getaway for those craving more experience in the backcountry in the winter.
Features
- Duration: 12 days (3 days at NOLS Teton Valley, 8 days in the backcountry)
- Option to ski or snowboard (please contact us at teton_valley@nols.edu with your preference prior to the course)
- Route length: approximately 20 miles
- Average group size: 8 students / 2 instructors
- Average age: 33 / minimum age: 23
- Average pack weight: 20-35 pounds / sled weight: 40-50 pounds
- Elevation range: 7,000-12,000 feet
- Emphasis on backcountry touring technique, winter travel while towing sleds in forested mountain terrain
- Certification: Recreational Avalanche Level 1
