Applications for the 2026 WAC Backcountry program are now open!   The application will be open from October 15, 2025 through December 1, 2025.

Requirements

All incoming students are required to have taken an AIARE Level 1, or a formally recognized introductory avalanche course such as AST Level 1 or ISTA Level 1, within the last 5 years before the start of the class.

If you have not taken AIARE 1, but are planning to take it, you may still apply.  You must be registered in an AIARE 1 course that completes before the first class presentation on Tuesday January 20, 2026.   Please note that you will need to register for the AIARE 1 course without a guarantee that you will be accepted into this year's WAC backcountry travel class.

Instructions

All applications must be completed and submitted by end-of-day (11:59pm) December 1st, 2025. 

1. Fill out the student application.

2. Wait to hear from us.  Watch your email.  Rolling notifications will be sent  over the first two weeks of December. 

   • If you receive an acceptance email from us, you must complete steps 3, 4, and 5 by the date specified in your acceptance email, or your spot may be given to someone else.  If you will be offline during the notification period, please let us know in advance.

   • If you are not accepted, keep skiing this winter and apply again next year.   If you registered to take an AIARE 1 course this winter, it will provide a great base of avalanche fundamentals that will begin opening up opportunities to tour, regardless of whether you take the WAC's Backcountry travel class.

For accepted students:

1. Provide payment.   Once accepted, you will have a couple of days to pay for the class and your WAC membership.  Payment is done online through the WAC website.  A link will be provided in your acceptance email.

2. Ensure that your WAC membership is good through the end of 2026.

2. • If you are not a current member: Join the WAC. (Register on website, sign waiver, and pay for membership.)

   • If you are a current member: Renew your WAC membership if your membership has expired or if it will expires before the end of 2024

3. Register for the class.  We will need additional information about you once we know you'll be in the class. A link will be provided in acceptance email.

Admittance

Course co-chairs review all applications simultaneously once the application window closes.  Acceptance is based on a combination of a variety of factors, including assessment of foundational skiing / snowboarding skills, prior involvement in WAC activities and courses, and need-based variables.  It is important to emphasize that this is not class for learning how to ski / snowboard, but rather a course to help further students' exploration into the backcountry.  As the backcountry terrain is quite variable, enrollment in the course necessitates a baseline level of technical ability.  This is to ensure that students enjoy their course experience as safely, and as much, as possible.  With that in mind, we're all learners of snow sports --  we are more than happy to point applicants to resources for improving their skills!

If we have additional questions about your application, we may reach out to you to ensure your experience is sufficient to safely and skillfully enjoy the class.  No priority is given to applications submitted early.  Application to the prior years' offerings of the course, or volunteering as an instructor in other WAC courses, is considered positively in the selection criteria.

Thanks for applying!   If you have problems or questions, contact the class co-chairs at wac-bc-chairs@googlegroups.com.

Payment

Payment for the class is made after acceptance into the course.   You do not need to join the WAC or renew your WAC membership until you are accepted. WAC membership is not a selection criteria for the course.  We value having a community with diverse experiences in the course, and are able to offer an access scholarship.   You can learn more about this program here: Access Scholarship.