Intro to Touring
As low as:
$215.00 / person
(at 6 :1 ratio) Next Trip: Jan 4, 2025 (day trip)-
5 spots available. $215.00
Course Location: Mount Washington
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1 spot available. $215.00
Course Location: Mount Washington
Upcoming Trips
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Add-ons
Avi Kit rental $15.00
Avalanche kit rental includes transceiver, shovel and probe. If you are bringing your own avi kit, this must include a modern, digital, 3-antenna transceiver, and a solid shovel and probe. If you do not have all three of these things then you must rent a kit from us to take part. Avi Kits once rented are non-refundable.
Island Turns and Tours Guidebook $69.00
Save on postage and have this indispensable trip planning guide delivered to you at your course. With well over 500 Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale rated Island tours, this guidebook allows you to apply the learning from your IAG/HVI course to doing real trips in the mountains.
IAG Cancellation Coverage $11.00
As per our Cancellation Policy, your trip or course is 100% non-refundable after 30 days prior to the trip/course start date. Purchasing this addon will allow you to cancel your trip/course within that 30 day time period for reasons of injury, illness or family emergency, and will provide you with a credit for the full value of your trip/course fee which can be be used on any Island Alpine Guides or Hike Vancouver Island trip or course or trip for up to one year from the start date of the trip/course originally booked.
About
Spend an enjoyable day with one of our guides and gain experience moving through untracked terrain. This one-day beginner course provides tips and tricks needed for smooth travel in simple backcountry terrain. We'll cover basics such as gear selection and use, to skinning technique, and route selection.
An excellent pre-cursor to AST1, and great for anyone looking to gain some confidence on their skis, or a taste of what it’s like to break free from the resort.
Curriculum
- Selecting, understanding, and using backcountry gear
- Skinning technique
- Basics of skiing in natural conditions
- Introduction to winter travel considerations and hazards
- Route finding and track setting
- Opportunity for supervised practice and coaching
- Suggestions for progression
Included in the price
- 1 day with a qualified instructor
Not included in the price
- Transportation
- Food
- Accommodation
- Personal equipment
- Avi kit (available as an add-on)
Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details about our booking and cancellation policy, and other commonly asked questions.
Location
These trips will be held in terrain surrounding Mount Washington, and typically leave from the Raven Lodge Nordic area parking lot.
Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one-week prior to the start of your course.
Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one-week prior to the start of your course.
Itinerary
The delivery of curriculum will be dependant on the group, the instructor, and the weather and conditions of the day. A typical day begins at 08:30 and finishes around 16:00.
Questions? Check out our FAQ page, or send us an email.
Requirements
To maximize your enjoyment of the day and ensure the safety of our participants, we ask that you:
- Have moderate fitness (able to hike for 2-3 hours/day)
- Are prepared to spend the day outside in variable conditions (please see gear list)
- Are an intermediate rider (able to safely ride blue-squares)
The choice between alpine touring skis, telemark skis or a splitboard is up to you. Choose the mode of transport that you are hoping to gain experience with.
Questions? Check out our FAQ page, or send us an email.
Gear List
The equipment list provided aims to prepare you to be comfortable in the field regardless of the weather. Please ensure that all your gear is functioning and in proper repair. If you have any questions, please send us an email: [email protected]
Avalanche Safety Gear
These items are available as an add on “avalanche kit” when you book, or by request for $15
These items are available as an add on “avalanche kit” when you book, or by request for $15
- Avalanche Transceiver (must be a modern, digital three-antenna)
- Shovel: Collapsible aluminum shovel
- Probe: Normal length probe somewhere from 220cm to 320cm
Hardware
- Ski touring skis/board
- Poles
- Skins
- Ski touring/snowboard boots
- Day pack (30 - 40L, or whatever will fit your gear)
Clothing
- Waterproof/breathable jacket and pants
- Lightweight, breathable jacket and pants (for uphill skinning/climbing)
- Insulated jacket (synthetic insulated jacket is strongly recommended)
- Lightweight gloves for climbing/skinning
- Warm gloves
- Warm hat
- Balaclava or another type of neck warmer
- Baselayers (top and bottom)
Other
- Water
- Lunch and snacks (prepared ahead of time and consumable on the go)
- Sunglasses
- Goggles
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Ski strap
- Personal first aid (e.g. blister kit, medication)
- Camera (optional)
Rentals
Avalanche Kit: We offer rental transceivers, shovels and probes as an add-on kit when you book or by request pre-trip. If you do not have your own modern, digital, three antenna transceiver, collapsible shovel, and/or probe - please request a rental kit prior to your course/trip.
Touring Gear: 'Ski Tak Hut' in Courtenay (https://www.skitakhut.com/pages/rentals) offers backcountry ski and splitboard rentals. Clients on IAG courses and trips are eligible to receive a unique 25% discount code towards their gear rentals from Ski Tak Hut - for the duration of their course/trip with us. These discount codes are distributed directly by IAG to our clients upon request. Rentals from Ski Tak Hut can be ordered online using the unique discount code. Note you will be asked to show the booking confirmation you received from us when you pick up your gear.
Winter 4x4 Vehicle(s): 'Far Out Wilderness' (https://faroutwilderness.com/ski-tours-winter-4x4/) is a 4x4 vehicle rental service in Victoria that offers clients access to a fleet of rugged, reliable, and fully-equipped vehicles designed to conquer the most challenging winter terrain. Their vehicles come with snow tires with the 3 peak mountain symbol, chains, and ski racks. They also provide emergency equipment, including SOS, SPOT messenger systems, GPS, tire pump, toe rope, tire pressure gauge, a map to BC's backcountry roads, and a first aid kit. Everything you need to get safely to the ski slopes! Upon request, IAG clients can receive a 5% discount code towards their rentals from 'Far Out Wilderness'.
Touring Gear: 'Ski Tak Hut' in Courtenay (https://www.skitakhut.com/pages/rentals) offers backcountry ski and splitboard rentals. Clients on IAG courses and trips are eligible to receive a unique 25% discount code towards their gear rentals from Ski Tak Hut - for the duration of their course/trip with us. These discount codes are distributed directly by IAG to our clients upon request. Rentals from Ski Tak Hut can be ordered online using the unique discount code. Note you will be asked to show the booking confirmation you received from us when you pick up your gear.
Winter 4x4 Vehicle(s): 'Far Out Wilderness' (https://faroutwilderness.com/ski-tours-winter-4x4/) is a 4x4 vehicle rental service in Victoria that offers clients access to a fleet of rugged, reliable, and fully-equipped vehicles designed to conquer the most challenging winter terrain. Their vehicles come with snow tires with the 3 peak mountain symbol, chains, and ski racks. They also provide emergency equipment, including SOS, SPOT messenger systems, GPS, tire pump, toe rope, tire pressure gauge, a map to BC's backcountry roads, and a first aid kit. Everything you need to get safely to the ski slopes! Upon request, IAG clients can receive a 5% discount code towards their rentals from 'Far Out Wilderness'.
Questions? Check out our FAQ page for information about gear fitting, rentals, add-ons, and other commonly asked questions, or send us an email.
Testimonials
I am SO grateful for the course! The beginning instruction in the parking lot was SO helpful to understand our gear and how to use it and then with that foundation we got out on the skis. I learned so many skills and feel confident to begin ski touring. I was a weaker skier than the other people and the instructor made sure I was very comfortable and even though I was really nervous about skiing, it was the best ski day I’ve ever had thanks to his help. Right away he reinforced that we were there to have fun, and I could take as much time as I want and there was no pressure and just to do what I was comfortable with. It was so wonderful! He also let our group tailor the day and prioritize what we want most to learn about which was wonderful. I cannot recommend this course highly enough.Lydia G., Mt Washington
The whole day was fantastic. Helene was a fabulous instructor who met the needs of the whole group.Lisa Duthie, Mount Washington
Nate was an amazing teacher and instructor for the intro to backcountry course. If you are interested in getting into back country skiing this is the course to take and the person to take it with. Nate fostered an inclusive environment and did a good job answering any and all questions. Could not have asked for a better instructor for the intro to backcountry course. I'd recommend this course to any of my friends, and it definitely wont be my last course with IAG thanks to Nate and his fantastic instruction!!Anonymous, Mt Washington
Excellent overall introduction to Backcountry skiing, Nathan presented the various subjects with enthusiasm and clarity, his background knowledge was evident. I would be very happy to learn more from Nathan and would feel very comfortable to follow his lead on another course or adventure.Alain, Mt Washington
Nate's instruction met everyone where they were at in a really non-judgmental and accepting space. It was exactly what I was looking for in an intro course.Ashley, Mt Washington
I really enjoyed the course! The instructor was very knowledgeable and good at teaching. I liked the mix of instructional information in the morning to go through ski gear options and the avalanche equipment, followed by practising with the skins on a small slope, and then going up a section of mountain.Jenna, Intro to Backcountry Touring
