Backcountry skiing is one of the fastest growing winter sports out there, increasing in popularity every season. Putting on skins, walking uphill and "earning your turns" allows people the joy of skiing untouched snow while in the company of good friends and escaping the crowds. However, backcountry skiing is not without risks and it is vital to acquire some basic knowledge in terrain assessment, rescue, and general winter mountaineering. Not only are Bergmenn Mountain Guides one of the few guiding companies in Iceland offering the services of certified UIAGM-IFMGA Mountain Guides but also locals of the Troll Peninsula, one of the best areas of Iceland for skiing.
Aimed at the intermediate/competent to advanced resort skier who wants to take to the mountains and ski untouched slopes. This course is taught over a weekend arriving afternoon Friday through Sunday. We will be based out of our ski lodge “Klængshóll” that has all the amenities one can hope for along with an excellent class room facility for the in-house portion and ski terrain right outside the front door making for a very efficient use of our time. Course will be taught by a certified ski guide with over 10 years of experience in the ski guiding industry.
This course is an excellent addition to an avalanche course to put the skills learned there to use or a training course for an extended ski-touring trip with experienced partners or guides.
Course Requirements:
Participants should be intermediate resort skiers/snowboarders that feel comfortable skiing advanced runs in the resort and variable snow conditions. Most of our time will be spent outside in the field on alpine touring / split-board equipment. You should have a decent level of fitness that will enable you to stay out for a full day (6-8 hours) and cover an elevation gain of 800-1500 meters.
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR DATES AND PRICING
Included
- Breakfast and packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday and dinner on Saturday night. Snacks are not included
- Accommodation for 2 nights in single, double or triple rooms
- The services and instruction of a professional certified ski touring guide for course
- Use of group first aid equipment and communications (this does not include transceiver, shovel or probe)
- Use of hot tub and sauna
Not included
- Transportation
- Equipment Rental (including avalanche safety gear)
- Snacks not included
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Personal Accident Insurance
Itinerary
Each day will include an inside component and then a large part of the day spent in the field. The itinerary below is subject to change based on weather and conditions and is up to the guide.
FRIDAY
- Arrival at Klængshóll lodge after dinner
- Equipment check and rental equipment
SATURDAY
- Breakfast
- Introductions
- Course Goals and objectives
- Introduction to avalanche rescue equipment
- Clothing and equipment
- Avalanche Rescue training
- Touring with focus on:
- Efficient travel techniques
- Efficient transitions from uphill to downhill skiing
- Route selection
- Identify hazards
- Uphill and downhill on steeper terrain
- Managing and developing ski proficiency in challenging snow conditions
- Evaluating the snowpack
- Dinner
- Trip planning
SUNDAY
- Breakfast
- Review weather and avalanche conditions
- Map reading and white-out navigation
- Touring with focus on:
- Route finding and navigation
- Moving efficiently on a longer tour
- Fine tuning skills learned day before
PACKING LIST
CLOTHING
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket (Gore Tex or equivalent)
- Wind and waterproof pants (Gore Tex or equivalent)
- Soft Shell (or fleece) jacket and pants (optional)
- Base layer (wool or synthetic)
- Light down or fiber jacket
- Hat
- Gloves (2 pairs)
- Ski socks (wool or synthetic, avoid cotton)
- Comfortable, casual clothing for class time and dinner
- Bathing suit(there is a hot tub at the lodge)
MISC.
- Sun and lip cream
- Headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Small first aid kit with personal medications, blister kit etc
- Repair Kit - Bring any spare parts specific to your bindings. The guides will carry a full repair kit so keep yours light.
- Snacks
- Pocket knife or Leatherman (optional)
- Camera (optional)
SKIING & RIDING GEAR
- Boots - Alpine touring, plastic telemark or comfortable snowboard boots
- Ski touring skis, telemark or split board (we recommend skis with a waist width in the 95 to 120 range. *We are unable to accommodate snowshoes as a mode of uphill transportation.)
- Skins and ski crampons (Ski crampons are not optional)
- Ski poles (adjustable recommended, snowboarders should have 3-section poles that fit nicely on your pack)
- Ski Straps - used for holding your skis together on your pack or your shoulder.
- Avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe (240 cm or longer)
- Backpack 30-40 liters (With ski/board attachments)
- Thermos or water bottle (1-2 liters)
- Ski Goggle
- Helmet (optional)
Some of the equipment on the list is available for rent. Please visit our GEAR page for further information or contact us for any questions you might have.