Ski Mountaineering Seminar

Location

Estes Park, Colorado

Group Size

4 people per guide

Duration

2 days

For advanced skiers looking to step into more exposed terrain.

This will be a two day program that will focus on steep skiing skills. We practice technical skills and get into bigger terrain.  As a team we will select objectives that will allow us to use real life strategies to manage more challenging ski descents. 

Advanced skiers with or without technical systems backgrounds will enjoy this program and should not be concerned about the difficulty of the skiing. Generally technical descents will be limited and belays or rappels can be easily facilitated and supervised.

This is meant to be a learning opportunity where the environment will be safe and controlled but also the real deal.  

To be successful as a ski mountaineer we need to start thinking about the big picture.  It involves a more comprehensive spectrum of mountain skills than any other type of alpine endeavor.

It would be impossible to cover everything involved in ski mountaineering in two days and a large part of this program is to help identify lacking skillsets and make a plan for how to add the skills required for your goals.  

• Mountain Snow Environment: avalanche hazard, surface conditions assessment
• Navigation: route selection and planning, map and gps use 
• Uphill Ski Travel: track setting, skinning, ski crampons, transitions, ski carry
• General Climbing Systems: rope manegment, anchoring, belaying, rappelling, lowering
• Snow Climbing: crampons, ice axe, snow movement, snow anchors, sliding fall assessment
• Rock Climbing: traditional rock anchors, fixed gear/tat/pitons, rock movement in ski boots
• Ice Climbing: ice anchors, ice quality assessment, 
• Downhill Movement Skills on Skis: powder, steeps, variable, exposed, use of ice axe in downhill context
• Ski Based Climbing Systems: ski anchors, ski belays

Prerequistes

The abilty to ski expert terrain at the ski resort and travel 3000 vertical feet per day uphill.

For more information click here:

https://benmarkhart.com/guided-trips-education/ski-mountaineering/ski-mountaineering-seminar/