We hope you will join CVA's Backcountry Program Director and Founder of Gravity Expeditions, Patrick Scanlan, for our Mount Washington Backcountry Skills Camps. This camp is designed for the high-level youth ski and snowboard athlete who wants to bring their skills to the backcountry environment.
Backcountry skiing - no lift tickets, lively terrain, fresh tracks - pure mountain!
Targeted skills include steep and off-piste technical skills, avalanche awareness, basic ski mountaineering skills, uphill efficiency, transition efficiency, backcountry decision-making and communication, and tour planning.
Athletes will have the chance to practice making real decisions, applying backcountry techniques in a big mountain environment, meet and greet with the Avalanche Forecasters from the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, and ski classic runs on Mount Washington.
Patrick has led backcountry ski expeditions both nationally and internationally and has been calling Sugarloaf home for the past 4 years. Prior to this, he lived in Tuckerman Ravine as a mountain caretaker for 2 years, so the knowledge he can pass onto you in this camp about the terrain on Mt. Washington is plentiful! He is an American Mountain Guides Association Apprentice Rock, Alpine, and Ski guide, a Certified Wilderness First Responder and SOLO Wilderness Medicine Instructor, and American Avalanche Association Professional Avalanche.
Backcountry touring gear is required for this camp including ski touring boots, bindings, backpack, avalanche gear, appropriate clothing layers, and helmet/goggles. Touring skis, boots, and avalanche gear can be rented from Ski the Whites in Jackson, NH (Please book well ahead of time to ensure they are not booked).
Campers will need to make sure they have enough food and water for a full day of exertion in the mountains. See gear list for more info.
Dates:
January 16th - 17th, 2021 - Registration is closedFebruary 6th - 7th, 2021More dates to come in March
Spring Steep Skiing Camp Dates in April
Location of Camp: Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire
Age of Campers: Advanced and expert skiers and riders ages 14-17 are welcome.
Daily Schedule:
7:00am: Meet at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center to review weather and avalanche conditions.
8:00am: On the trail
8:00am - 3:30pm: Backcountry Programming / Skiing
4:00pm: Meet for group debrief
Items to Bring List:
- Touring Skis or Splitboard
- Touring or Splitboard Bindings
- Ski Touring Boots
- Ski Touring Skins
- Poles (Collapsable Poles for Snowboarders)
- 25-35 Liter Backpack with Ski/Snowboard Carry
- Helmet
- Goggles
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Avalanche Beacon
- Avalanche Rescue Shovel
- Avalanche Probe
- Waterproof Shell Jacket
- Waterproof Shell Pants
- Insulating Down Jacket
- Insulating Fleece Layer
- Synthetic or Merino Wool Base Layers for Top and Bottom
- Insulating Pants layer. Fleece or down.
- Gloves, multiple pairs
- Mittens
- Hat
- Buff or Balaclava
- Ski Socks
- Voile-style ski straps (2)
- Small Notebook and Pencil
- Headlamp, extra batteries
- Plastic Wax Scraper
- Packed lunch and snacks
- Two full water bottles
Pricing:
$450
Price for CVA Weekend Program Athletes: $400
Camp Cost includes:
- 2 days of professional, low-ratio ski guiding
- Freeride technique coaching for steep, big mountain terrain
- Custom programming for learning backcountry-specific skills
- Assessment and feedback on avalanche safety skills
- Take home resources for planning future ski trips
-Video analysis
FMI: Patrick Scanlan, CVA Backcountry Program Director at pscanlan@gocva.com
REGISTER HERE