NxNW offers splitboards as well as backcountry safety gear for rent.
We also offer backcountry lessons and tours of the Hurricane Ridge area.
Classes and tours for the 2011/12 season are:
Introduction to Backcountry skiing/splitboarding
Prerequisites: Intermediate (or better) downhill skiing/snowboarding skills
Price: $169.00/person (Includes rental of avalanche beacon, probe, shovel)
4:1 student to instructor ratio
Minimum of 2 students need to run this lesson
This one-day course is for the in-bounds skier or rider who wants to try skiing or snowboarding in the backcountry in a safe and educational environment. Your guide will take a maximum of 4 participants on a half-day backcountry tour in in the Hurricane Ridge area of Olympic National Park, and will demonstrate the fundamental skills of safe backcountry travel including selecting appropriate clothing and equipment, using the avalanche forecast and tour planning, basic avalanche safety skills and rescue procedures, proper use of AT and telemark skis, split-boards and climbing skins, uphill and downhill route finding and travel techniques and group management.
Although this course will expose participants to the fundamental skills for safe backcountry skiing and riding, including the basic avalanche awareness and rescue, we suggest that participants also consider enrolling in an Level 1 avalanche safety course.
Itinerary:
• 8am-9am: Meet at the ONP visitors center, introductions, discussion of participants’ and group’s objectives, gear check and review proper use of equipment, introduction to avalanche safety awareness and rescue procedures, review avalanche forecast and tour plan
• 9am-10am: Carpool to Hurricane Ridge, get ready for tour
• 10am-11:30pm: Avalanche beacon tutorial, rescue techniques and practice, lunch break
• 11:30-3:30pm: Backcountry tour, including field observations, avalanche terrain and hazard recognition; uphill travel techniques (track setting, kick and step turns, pacing); downhill travel techniques (route selection, turning in varying snow conditions); time and pace management (pacing, breaks, eating and drinking); group management
Recommended Gear List: AT or telemark skis and poles or split-board, climbing skins, backpack, etc. (participants will be provided with a complete list of essential clothing and equipment prior to the tour)
Hurricane Ridge 1 Day Backcountry Ski/Splitboard Tours
Price: $169.00/person (Includes rental of avalanche beacon, probe, shovel)
4:1 student to instructor ratio
Minimum of 2 students need to run this lesson.
These day tours are follow up application tours to do after our Intro to Backcountry Ski/Splitboarding or for anyone with previous backcountry experience who want to go on a great “Sunday Tour”. It provides more application of skills with refinement through tips and coaching. We keep a more consistent pace and climb higher and farther with more descents than our “Intro” day. We continue important practice with our avalanche safety skills.
Skills covered will include:
- Group assessment
- Pre-tour planning
- Developing a safety plan
- Transceiver, probe and shovel review
- Hazards assessment
- Uphill and downhill splitboard coaching
- Time management on a tour
- Reviewing group dynamics
Avoiding heuristic traps in the backcountry
Itinerary:
• 8am-9am: Meet at the ONP visitors center, introductions, discussion of participants’ and group’s objectives, gear check and review proper use of equipment, introduction to avalanche safety awareness and rescue procedures, review avalanche forecast and tour plan
• 9am-10am: Carpool to Hurricane Ridge, get ready for tour
• 10am-3:00pm Tour of the day