One Month Backcountry Ski Program

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome & Navigation 1 Course (1 Day)
We’ll start with introductions, an overview of the course agenda, and a discussion of personal goals. In the afternoon, we’ll dive into Navigation 1, a practical session on mountain navigation using a map and compass. This course will prepare you to navigate in both summer and winter, in all weather conditions, and without the need for established trails. You’ll gain essential skills through an accessible and memorable learning experience. 

Days 2–4: Local Backcountry Ski Tours (3 Days)
These days will be spent touring local terrain as we introduce foundational skills for backcountry skiing and splitboarding. You’ll develop competence in uphill travel, skiing techniques, equipment use, and companion rescue. This section sets the stage for the exciting month ahead in the mountains. 

Day 5: Wapta Prep & Navigation 2 Course (1 Day)
We’ll begin at our Canmore office to prepare for our first ski traverse. Topics include efficient packing, gear selection, food prep (with support from our in-house chef), and what to expect on the Wapta.
In the afternoon, we’ll continue with Navigation 2, a classroom-based session focused on digital navigation tools. You’ll learn to plan, track, and navigate using your smartphone—whether you have cell service—while conserving battery life. We’ll connect this session to skills taught in Navigation 1, providing a solid foundation for backcountry travel. 

Days 6–11: Wapta Ski Traverse & Skills Application (6 Days)
The Wapta Traverse is a premier hut-to-hut ski tour across the Canadian Rockies. With expansive glaciers and well-equipped huts, it’s the ideal setting to refine your skills.
We’ll begin with glacier travel and crevasse rescue training before setting off to complete the traverse, applying what you’ve learned in real-time. Evenings in the huts will include hands-on navigation sessions using maps and smartphones, reinforcing your route-planning and tracking skills. 

Days 12–13: Rest Days in Canmore (2 Days)
Take time to relax, recharge, and handle personal maintenance after the Wapta Traverse. 

Days 14–17: Avalanche Skills Training 2 – Rogers Pass (4 Days)
Advance your avalanche knowledge in one of North America’s premier backcountry destinations. The AST 2 course in Rogers Pass combines classroom learning with practical field experience.
You’ll deepen your understanding of avalanche terrain, snowpack analysis, and risk management, while experiencing some of the most exciting skiing the region has to offer. This course meets the standards set by Avalanche Canada and is ideal for anyone planning to explore Roger’s Pass in the future. 

Days 18–19: Rest Days in Canmore (2 Days) 

Days 20–22: Steep & Deep Skills (3 Days)
This section focuses on steep-skiing techniques. You’ll receive expert instruction on jump turns, speed control on icy terrain, and safe descent strategies. The goal is to build confidence and control, enabling you to comfortably tackle more challenging and remote terrain, including narrow chutes and steep gullies. 

Days 23–24: Rest Days in Canmore (2 Days) 

Days 25–30: Kootenay Ski Expedition (6 Days)
The final expedition is your opportunity to apply everything you’ve learned. After preparing gear and provisions, we’ll head to the Kootenays. Based on conditions, you and your guides will choose the best location for the expedition.
You’ll set up a comfortable base camp and ski world-class terrain, taking the lead on trips in complex environments with support and coaching from your guides. This capstone experience is often a highlight of the program. 

Day 31: Final Debrief & Graduation (1 Day) 

Back in Canmore, you’ll participate in one-on-one debriefs with your instructors to reflect on your growth and plan your next steps. The program concludes with a celebratory graduation lunch, where you’ll receive your certificates and recognition for your accomplishments. 

Meeting Time and Place

The program begins at the Yamnuska classroom at #100, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore, at 9:00 am on the first day. Map

Course Location

The course is based in Canmore, Alberta in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains just minutes from Banff National Park. Section locations will vary according to conditions. Expect to be riding in the Bow Valley near Canmore and in British Columbia at Rogers Pass and at the Icefields Parkway. 

We are in a continental or inland climate that varies greatly in temperatures and weather. During this program, you can expect to encounter significant snowfalls with sub-zero temperatures and cold dry temperatures below -20 Celsius. You should be prepared for every type of mountain weather condition. 

Instructors and Group Size

Our instructors are professional guides who are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and by other member countries of the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations. 

Our instructors are certified professional ski guides or mountain guides who are licensed to teach and guide in the backcountry. There will be a maximum of 6 participants on the course. There will be a minimum of 4 participants in this program. 

Transportation

During the program, all field transportation is supplied. The group has a passenger van that is used to reach program areas. During evenings and on days off, transportation is not supplied.

Accommodation and Meals

Accommodation in huts on the Wapta traverse, hotel accommodation in Golden for the AST2 and tent accommodation on the Remote Ski Camp is included. All out-trip meals on the Wapta Traverse and Remote Ski Camp are included in the course price.

When in Canmore you will be responsible for your own accommodation, food and transport. There is a wide range of accommodation options in town to choose from.

Note: Canmore Downtown Hostel: Yamnuska guests are entitled to a 20% discount on group bookings as well as individual bookings with a Yamnuska receipt as proof. Reservations can be made up to 2 days prior to the beginning of the course with Yamnuska to 2 days after, based on availability. The 20% discount is only available on our Shared bathroom 4 bunk beds dorms. *Not applicable on statutory holidays* 

During program sections, the group will be based in a range of accommodations that could include wilderness camping, hotels, and Alpine Club mountain huts.

Since this program is about developing well-rounded backcountry ski and ski mountaineering skills. During training, you and the other course members will be responsible for cooking for the group and managing backcountry living tasks. The food supplied will be healthy and nutritious with an emphasis on simplicity. Do not expect a lavish menu, but also do not expect to go hungry, you will eat well.

Meals while in Canmore are not included. There are many excellent restaurants and grocery stores in town, many within walking distance of our office and most hotels. 

Dietary Restrictions – PLEASE NOTE: Our kitchen and the full-time chef can accommodate many different kinds of dietary restrictions, allergies, and food preferences. For guests with dietary restrictions, we are able to modify the program food pack to meet your individual needs.  As food pricing and preparation for these diets is more costly, there is a surcharge.  Our kitchen staff will assess your restrictions to inform you if the diet can be accommodated and what surcharge would apply. Vegetarian meals will not be surcharged.

Equipment and Clothing

All group camping and all technical gear are supplied. You will be responsible for your backcountry ski or splitboard set up, backcountry ski boots, or snowboard boots and poles.  You will need to bring your own outdoor clothing and footwear, backpack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad.  

There are several outdoor stores in the area from which you can buy gear and clothing during the Semester. There are also good options for renting ski or splitboard equipment in Canmore and Calgary. 

During the one-month winter ski semester, you will have the opportunity to learn about different gear. We urge you not to go out and wildly purchase everything on this list but to be creative in securing what you can from friends or relatives. Renting gear that is expensive is a great way of testing before you purchase. We suggest taking the time to talk to your local gear shop and learn as much as possible about items you would like to purchase. Manufacturers’ websites are also a great place to learn about the equipment that you are interested in. Please call or email the Yamnuska office and we will do our best to answer any questions that you have concerning gear selection or sizing. 

Your choice of clothing and equipment for the one-month winter ski semester will play a large role in your enjoyment and success in the program. Some equipment and clothing can be purchased after the start of the course, so you have the chance to get direct input from other students and the guides. 

The following is a comprehensive list of the items that we recommend. Certain items can be rented if you would prefer and these will be highlighted in red. 

Equipment

You will need to bring your own clothing, backcountry skis or splitboard and boots, poles, climbing skins, avalanche safety equipment and daypack. 

Skis and Splitboards 

There are two systems you can use: System 1: Alpine Touring skis are essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding that allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then ‘locks down’ to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background in downhill skiing. System 2: Splitboarding is a snowboard that can be separated into two ski-like parts used with climbing skins to ascend slopes the same way as alpine touring. The two halves can then be connected to form a regular snowboard for the descent. 

Which should you use? If you are a downhill skier, then you should use Alpine Touring gear. 

Alpine Touring skis and Splitboards can be rented in Canmore or Calgary prior to the course. 

You need to bring: 

• Skis We recommend a short (160 – 185cm) wide ski designed for powder.  Please see the note under rental information if you are renting ski equipment.  
• Splitboard We recommend a splitboard that is best suited for off-piste riding that works for your size and weight. Make sure you have heal risers installed on your board. 
• Climbing skins ‘Stick-on type’ 
• Ski Poles 
• Ski boots/Snowboard boots 
• Ski Helmet (Optional) 
• Ski Straps (2) – for securing skis together
• Avalanche transceiver – digital transceiver with a triple antenna 
• Collapsible Avalanche Probe – either aluminum or carbon fibre and a minimum of 320cm in length
• Avalanche Shovel – metal blades only designed for companion rescue
• Glacier Travel Gear – we will provide the following equipment but feel free to bring items you may have so you can become more familiar with their uses: Climbing harness (lightweight if possible), locking biners (2), non-locking biners (2), prusik cord (1), 120cm sewn sling (1), ice screw (1)
• Compass – Mirror sighting and the ability to set the declination on your compass are required. Suunto, Brunton, and Silva are all recommended brands.
• Water Bottle 1L Capacity  – One litre capacity, plastic or metal with a screw lid. Nalgene and Sigg brand bottles are good. Having an insulated cover helps keep your drinks from freezing but is optional.
• Thermos 500ml or greater – Stainless Steel 
• Spoon – Lexan or titanium spoons work well
• Bowl (made of unbreakable plastic)
• Mug (an insulated plastic mug with a lid is ideal) 
• Daypack 35L (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & avalanche equipment)  
• 60L plus overnight pack (large enough for a sleeping bag, Thermarest, food, bowl, cutlery, and overnight gear) – This should be a sturdy, well-constructed pack. A simple well-fitting pack is best. Try on the pack and load it with weight (20 Kilos or more) to see how comfortable it will be. The pack should have a wide comfortable hip belt that sits on the top of the hips. Shoulder straps should also be well-padded and comfortable. Key words here are comfort, durability, and simplicity.
• Sunglasses – A mandatory item to have as your eyes can burn easily from the intense UV at higher altitudes as well as from the reflection off of the snow. Side shields or glasses that let minimal light in the sides work well. Glasses should cut out 100% of UVA and UVB rays. If you wear prescription glasses make sure you have a good pair of prescription sunglasses for the course. Have a good storage case for your sunglasses to avoid damage
• Ski goggles – Be prepared to spend some money on getting a pair with durable lenses that won’t fog up.
• Thermos flask and water bottle. 
• Sunblock and Lip Cream – At least 50 SPF rating. Sunburn is a very real and potentially serious hazard on the course. 
• Multi tool/Pocket knife – The ‘Swiss Army’ Knife or ‘Leatherman’ Tool is best. At a minimum, a blade, and screwdriver will be useful. You don’t need all the gadgets and attachments if the price is a limiting factor
• Headlamp with fresh batteries and spare batteries.
• Small Blister and 1st-Aid Kit 
• Camera 
• Smartphone and extra battery  
• Stuff Sacks Several coated nylon bags with drawstrings. For carrying and storing your gear. Good to have a few so that you may also store your clothing and extras. One or two that have the ability to compress clothing are a great addition for keeping the volume down for items like extra clothing and your sleeping bag.
• Small repair kit for bindings, skis, or splitboard (this may include straps, nuts, bolts, and small leatherman) 
• Sleeping Bag. A great deal of time will be spent in your sleeping bag and the majority of this will be in winter conditions. The big question is whether to go with down or synthetic fill in your bag. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Down-filled bags are light and compress easily into a small space and the insulation will have a longer life span than a synthetic bag. However, they are more expensive and don’t work well if they get wet. Synthetic bags keep you warm when they are wet but are bulkier and heavier than down. Most people would prefer a down sleeping bag with a gore-tex outer shell. The bag should have a four–season rating and a minimum of 2.5 to 3 lbs. of fill with a rating of at least -20c.  
• Sleeping Pad. ‘Therma-Rest’ inflatable pad or ‘Ex-ped’ down mat is the standard. Other less expensive options include closed cell foam pads such as polyethylene or Evazote that need to be at the very least 10-15mm thick, however, you will appreciate spending the extra money on an inflatable mat.  
• Notebook & Pencil – We will provide you with a ‘Rite in the Rain’ all-weather notebook but you should bring a mechanical pencil for recording notes in the field.
• Toiletries including hand sanitizer
• Earplugs (recommended)
• Waterproof Watch (optional) – one with an altimeter is useful but optional

 Additional gear info: 

• Skis/splitboard:  There are two viable backcountry systems, Alpine Touring and Splitboard. 
• Alpine Touring:  Essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift when going uphill and then locks down to become an alpine binding for the downhill.  
• Splitboard:  If you are a rider and proficient on a snowboard, the backcountry touring version is called a splitboard. This 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. 
• Ski Boots:  Backcountry boots are different from regular alpine ski boots. In the backcountry, boots need to have an uphill mode that allows a free range of motion in the upper part of the boot. You should not use your regular ski boots for touring and walking uphill. 
• 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 skis/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 320 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 (light weight synthetic or wool) 
• Warm pants (nylon blend, insulated, or fleece) 
• Warm shirt (not cotton) 
• Midweight fleece top. Some type of midweight top, whether it is a synthetic Polartec material or Merino Wool
• Heavyweight fleece jacket 
• Insulated warm down-filled or synthetic jacket (recommended 500 down fill or greater) 
• Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or nylon) 
• Softshell jacket. Softshell pieces have the advantage of offering great weather protection, while still being highly breathable. They can be worn for all but the wettest conditions.
• Backcountry ski pants (Gore-Tex or nylon, with side zippers) There are many choices for ski pants. Whatever you choose, just make sure that they are not heavily insulated. Insulated pants designed for the ski hill are usually too warm for ski touring. Pant must also fit over a pair of ski boots. Some softshell pants may be suitable/compatible but you must ensure that they fit over your boots
• Socks (wool outer & polypro liner), several sets 
• Underwear (synthetic or silk), several pairs
• Wool or fleece hat – A warm wool or fleece hat that covers the ears and a lightweight balaclava. Either must fit under a helmet! 
• Waterproof ski mountaineering gloves or mitts (2 pairs – 1 heavy, 1 light)
• Sunhat – A brimmed hat to protect you from the sun is important.
• Insulated booties – Excellent for warm feet around the camp, huts, and in your sleeping bag at night.
• Clothing for classroom and in town times 

Rental Information 

Skis, Boots, Skins, and Poles can be rented from: 

• Canmore: Gear Up – (403 678-1636) 

We recommend reserving your gear in advance. 

*Please note that your ‘DIN’ or ‘Release Value’ settings on your ski bindings are critical to your safety while skiing.  Our expectation is that everyone arrives on programs with their ski binding’s release value correctly set. We have noted that some ski 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 ski touring 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. A deposit of  35% is required at the time of booking. The final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the course.

Detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Before applying for the Winter Semester you need to open and read the Semester Application Form and Booking and Cancellation Policies. This outlines the payment and enrollment process. You will need to download this form, complete it, and return it to us (mail or fax), even if you book online or by phone.

You will also need to complete the following forms:
Click here for the Personal Experience Form
Click here for the Medical Form

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.

The Simpson Group offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical, and Personal Effect Loss for both Canadian and International Travelers. Other providers offer similar services and we encourage you to select an appropriate level of coverage. We highly recommend purchasing this insurance to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. The two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider are Medical and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.

Insurance Risk 
One of the ways to mitigate risk is by purchasing appropriate insurance. Simpson Group Insurance Services who are travel & health risk specialists, work with technical and high-risk insurance solutions both in medical and non-medical spheres.  We highly recommend that you review your insurance needs to cover and protect you against unforeseen events. It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Simpson Group have a team standing by to answer any of your questions.

Emergency Medical Evacuation
While there is typically no charge for search & rescue in the National and Provincial Parks for active pass holders, costs such as air & ground ambulance after the rescue are not covered by your park pass. The chance of a large bill associated with this risk is a real possibility.

For Canadians
A common myth is that healthcare across provinces is fully covered. There are many things which do not carry interprovincial agreements. Ambulance services, medical evacuation, and some services which one province charges more than another you’d be responsible to pay the difference.

For Internationals
A common myth is that healthcare in Canada is free. Although it is less expensive than US healthcare, charges for non-residents can still be very high. Proper medical health insurance is essential if you were to get injured. Most coverages exclude rock climbing, mountaineering, ice climbing, backcountry skiing and the like. Simpson Group can make sure all those risks are well covered.

Trip Cancellation/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. We can assure you that circumstances do arise that prevent guests from participating in trips or courses and trip cancellation & interruption insurance is a relatively easy way to manage your level of risk of unforeseen events.

For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend Simpson Group Insurance Services.  For more information and to purchase a plan, visit Simpson Group’s website.