Backcountry Skiing Techniques

Avalanche Rescue

• How To Perform an Avalanche Beacon Check - This is slightly different than the technique that we use in the class. We start with everyone in Search mode to ensure nothing is being picked up and then proceed as they do here.

Uphill Travel

• Making uphill kick turns:

  • https://www.facebook.com/AMGAUSA/videos/vb.112128442158899/759526301232734/?type=2&theater 

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSDMkEMmw60 

• Setting a skin track:

  • How To Create An Efficient Skin Track Using Rounded And AVA Turns

  • Track Setting | Rounded Turns

  • How to Set a Skin Track For Backcountry Skiing: Efficiency

• When To Use Heel Lifters

Transitions

• Efficient Ski Transitions (Many techniques covered here)

• Efficient Transitions with Martin Volken (including transition to Booting)

• Removing & Applying Skins in Windy Conditions 

• Rip skins off without removing skis

• *Quick Splitboard Transitions

Downhill Travel

• Downhill Facing Kick Turn (Very useful in tight spots or difficult snow conditions while descending, when you really wish you were pointed the other way)

• *Pole use on the Downhill as a Splitboarder

• *How To Ski Your Splitboard

Advanced Techniques

• How To Prepare The Skin Track Corners For Kick Turning - Wishbone turns & prepping track for followers (somewhat of a guide technique).

• How To Improve The Skin Track On Steep Or Icy Slopes

• When to Use Ski Crampons

• The Art of Setting a Skin Track

• Kilian Jornet's Skimo Transition

* - Splitboard video

Additional Content

• Avalanche Movies to Watch

• Avalanche Accident Reports