The Canadian Rockies is home to some of the best backcountry splitboarding in Western Canada. If you’re a snowboarder yearning to leave the resort behind, our introduction to splitboarding course will give you the foundational skills you need to get out of the lift lines and into the backcountry.
This course is taught by certified professional splitboard guides who will teach you how to use splitboarding equipment, how to route find and set efficient uptracks, and to backcountry splitboard and seek out some of the Rockies finest powder riding.
In addition to taking this beginner backcountry splitboarding course, check out the ‘Plus Days’ add-on option and you will be just blown away by what you can accomplish. This course also pairs well with our avalanche safety training courses.
Thanks to our sponsors at K2 Skis and BCA who have generously donated gear and prizes, participants who take part in an Avalanche Safety Training course or Backcountry Ski or Splitboard public program before February 28, 2023, have the chance to win some incredible gear. So don’t wait…register now!
There is a definite difference between resort boarding and splitboarding. To maximize the field time, we meet you on the evening of Day 1 at our office to discuss gear and start our course overview. This saves time on the following day so we can head straight to the mountains.
Sample Course Agenda & Curriculum
Day 1: 6:30 pm, meet at Yamnuska Office in Canmore.
- Course introduction and briefing
- Gear for splitboarding (lecture and discussion)
- Safety in the backcountry (lecture and discussion)
- Planning a backcountry splitboarding trip (lecture and discussion)
- Review Saturday’s field trip (map, weather, avalanche conditions)
- Gear check
Day 2: 7:30 am, field day, meet at our office.
- Avalanche beacon practice and check
- Companion rescue practice
- Equipment familiarization
- Trail breaking and track setting
- Uphill turns
- Splitboard touring techniques and the difference between a skier and a splitboarder
- Return to Canmore
- Plan tour for Sunday
Day 3: 7:30 am, splitboard tour, meet at our office.
- Participants will carry out the splitboard tour they planned the previous evening with the coaching and supervision from their instructors
- Finish tour by 4:00 pm
- Wrap up the course, return to Canmore
Join us for an additional day of backcountry splitboarding every day following our Intro to Splitboarding course. Sign up for our ‘Plus Day’ add-on option where you’ll get the opportunity to get out for another backcountry tour and put into practice all of the skills you’ve acquired. (Must be 18 years of age or older unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.)
Meeting Time and Place
The course begins on Day 1 at 6:30 pm at the Yamnuska office. The Yamnuska office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore. See this map for location.
Guides and Group Size
Our instructors are certified professional splitboard guides who are licensed to teach and guide in the backcountry. There will be a maximum of 8 participants per guide and a maximum of 16 participants on the course. There will be a minimum of 4 participants in this program.
Transportation
Participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore, Alberta which is a one-hour (100km) drive west of Calgary. Guests are responsible for their own transportation during the program.
Park Passes
Please note that program venues may be within National Parks and/or Kananaskis Country. For programs where transportation is not provided by Yamnuska/Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska, guests will be required to purchase their own pass.
National Park passes are available both online at https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/admission and in-person at National park gates and some information centres.
Kananaskis Country conservation passes are available online at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx
Accommodation and Meals
Accommodation in Canmore is not included. A variety of accommodation options exist in both Canmore and Banff. We recommend that you book your own pre and post-trip accommodations well in advance as all levels of accommodations in the Bow Valley fill quickly.
Food is not supplied. Each day bring plenty to drink and lunch plus energy snacks. We particularly suggest bringing a Thermos and hot drink.
Equipment and Clothing
You will need to bring your own clothing, splitboard, splitboard boots, poles, climbing skins, and daypack. If you have your own personal avalanche safety equipment, it is great to bring this along as well as some beacons have different features which we can explain during the avalanche practice sessions. However, we will provide you with avalanche safety equipment if you do not have your own.
The equipment and clothing you bring will have a big impact on the quality of your experience. Please be sure to bring all the items listed. If you are unsure about anything please don’t hesitate to call and ask us!
Splitboards
A splitboard is a snowboard that can be split to make two ski-type platforms for touring on the uphill ascent. The bindings have two positions and can be switched depending on whether you are climbing or descending. Split boards also use climbing skins for the ascent. For the downhill, the board is reassembled or joined to be in snowboard (ride) mode. If you are new to this system, you will need to practice the transitions of switching the board from touring to riding and back again. Your enjoyment will be vastly greater if you are efficient and practiced with this transition. For splitboarders, regular snowboard boots will work. A splitboard specific boot will give you more comfort when in touring mode and offer extra support to make sidehilling and traversing terrain easier to manage.
Equipment List
You need to bring:
- Splitboard We recommend a short (160 – 185cm) board designed for powder. Please see the note under rental information if you are renting ski equipment.
- Climbing skins ‘Stick-on type’
- Ski Poles
- Board boots (Alpine touring boots)
- Snowboard Helmet (optional)
- Daypack (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & equipment – all content should fit inside a 40-50L pack)
- Sunglasses and ski goggles
- Thermos flask and water bottle.
- Sunblock and Lip Cream
- Pocket knife
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Small Blister and Personal First-Aid Kit
- Hand Sanitizer
- Small repair kit for bindings (this may include straps, nuts, bolts, small leatherman) (optional)
Additional gear info:
- Climbing skins: The glue on the base of the skin should be in good condition and the skins need to be properly fitted. Try the skins on your splitboard to make sure they are the right length and width before you arrive.
- Ski poles: Backcountry poles need powder baskets on the tips.
- Avalanche Transceiver: A three antennae transceiver is required.
- Probe: A minimum of 240 cm in length.
- Shovel: A metal blade shovel is required.
Clothing List
We suggest bringing light clothing of varying thicknesses that can be ‘layered’ to achieve comfort and versatility. The most important consideration for clothing is the ability to regulate temperature as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest and from the ascent to the descent.
- Long underwear top and bottoms (lightweight synthetic or wool)
- Warm pants (nylon blend, insulated, or fleece)
- Warm shirt (synthetic or wool)
- Medium weight fleece sweater
- Fleece Jacket
- Light insulated jacket or vest
- Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or nylon)
- Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex or nylon, with side zippers)
- Socks – ski socks (wool or synthetic), several sets
- Wool or fleece hat
- Waterproof gloves or mitts
- Sun hat
- Face Mask
Optional Equipment
Yamnuska supplies but feel free to bring:
- Avalanche transceiver – digital transceiver with a triple antennae
- Collapsible avalanche probe
- Avalanche shovel: Collapsible metal shovel designed for companion rescue
- Snow study kit
Rental Information
Splitboard, Boots, Skins and Poles can be rented from:
- Canmore: Gear Up – (403 678-1636)
- Calgary: M.E.C. – 830-10 Ave. S.W. Calgary (Tel: 403 363-0122)
- Lake Louise: Wilson Mountain Sports – (1-866-929-3636)
*Please note that your ‘DIN’ or ‘Release Value’ settings on your bindings are critical to your safety while skiing. Our expectation is that everyone arrives on programs with their binding’s release value correctly set. We have noted that some rental shops will not set release values on touring bindings. We advise you to rent from a shop that will set release values on your bindings unless you are proficient and comfortable setting your own DIN/release value. Failure to have Release Values correctly set could result in a serious injury.
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on booking.
We ask that you familiarize yourself with our detailed booking instructions and conditions.
Risk is an inherent part of all mountain activities. We strive to manage and reduce it however, it is impossible to totally eliminate. Learn more about our safety and risk management approach here. Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.
There are two basic types of insurance that most travelers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.
Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:
It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is no charge for rescue in the national and provincial parks, however, costs such as air or ground transportation, long-term care, and other services are not covered.
Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:
We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries, and other unplanned events. For these eventualities, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment.
For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group. This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical, and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian Travelers.
Please note that this coverage is for Canadian residents only. For guests who are not from Canada and who are interested in the ‘Visitors to Canada’ insurance package please contact the Simpson Group directly at JSimpson@simpson-group.com and reference your Yamnuska Mountain Adventure trip.
Dates:
PRICE:
$449 CDN includes instruction and avalanche safety equipment. GST is extra.
Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through the Simpson Group.
Optional PLUS DAY:
$345 plus GST. The day following the ‘Intro to Splitboarding’. Available to program participants only.
Please note you will be required to sign the Yamnuska Release of Liability, and Waiver of Claims prior to commencing the program. Please review the sample waiver prior to booking and call us with any questions.
Is it for you?
In this course, we introduce participants to splitboarding through a better understanding of their gear plus the basic skills and practices required for a safer and more enjoyable backcountry experience. Avalanche awareness will be touched upon, but it is strongly recommended that participants also take the Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 course offered by Yamnuska if they wish to continue in the backcountry.
Prerequisites:
Participants are required to be at least an intermediate level of snowboarding at the resort (i.e. must feel comfortable on blue runs in most conditions) and able to handle flat sections and traverses. Participants should be ‘hiking fit’. This course is appropriate for your first backcountry experience.
