Your Backcountry Gift Giving Guide

The Best Gifts for Backcountry Skiers and Splitboarders

Looking for the perfect gift for the winter adventurer in your life? We’ve got you covered. Our guides and instructors curated top gift ideas for backcountry skiers and splitboarders at a range of price points, including essential avalanche safety gear, practical tools, and unforgettable guided experiences. You’ll find many of these items at The Trailhead in Buena Vista, Colorado and Salida Mountain Sports in Salida, Colorado, both locally owned shops run by people who live and adventure in the Sawatch Range. Shopping locally supports jobs, keeps dollars in Chaffee County, and connects you with experts who actually use the gear they sell. Give the skier or rider in your life a gift that supports their love for snow and backcountry travel.

Rescue Courses

Education is one of the most valuable tools in the backcountry. Rescue courses build the skills to respond when something goes wrong, and those skills are perishable. It is industry best practice to retake both Rescue and Wilderness First Aid courses every two years to stay sharp and up to date.

Avalanche Rescue

Learn how to perform companion rescue quickly and effectively. AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one day course designed to be retaken regularly.

*gift certificates are available in any amount and can be applied toward any course or guided tour

$235

Rescue + WFA

A complete three day emergency training that includes AIARE Avalanche Rescue plus SOLO-certified Wilderness First Aid, covering patient assessment and evacuation planning in remote terrain.

*gift certificates are available in any amount and can be applied toward any course or guided tour

$535

Avalanche Transceivers

Avalanche transceivers are essential safety gear for anyone traveling in or near avalanche terrain. A three antenna transceiver is a must. Beyond that, the best transceiver is the one you know how to use and practice with regularly.

Mammut Barryvox 2

Fast signal processing, strong range, and an easy to read display make this a reliable transceiver for both beginners and experts.

*also sold in store at
The Trailhead & Salida Mountain Sports

$319

Ortovox Diract Avy Rescue Kit

This kit includes a transceiver, probe, and shovel for all the essential avalanche rescue tools in one package. Simple controls and a clear display make searching easy, while the probe and shovel deploy fast when seconds matter. A practical, ready-to-go option for travel in avalanche terrain.

*also sold in store at
The Trailhead & Salida Mountain Sports

$480

Gift Avalanche Education

Give the gift of Avalanche Education with a gift certificates for an AIARE 1 course, an AIARE 1 Refresher course or an AIARE 2. Can also be used for guided backcountry tours or rental equipment.

*gift certificates are available in any amount and can be applied toward any course or guided tour

$25.00+

Snow SCIENCE

Making relevant, quality observations helps skiers and riders understand the snowpack and how it is changing. Snow science courses and tools give backcountry travelers the skills to collect observations, interpret layers, and better understand the conditions under their feet.

Snowpack Structure Course

A great choice for the snow science-curious. Learn how to dig snowpits, identify layers, and conduct practical instability tests to evaluate the snowpack.

*gift certificates are available in any amount and can be applied toward any course or guided tour

$235

Snow Saw

A reliable snow saw is a must for anyone digging pits or assessing weak layers. The BCA 35 cm Snow Saw makes clean cuts through icy layers and is lightweight and packable, making it easy to carry on every tour.

*also sold in store at The Trailhead

$55.00

LumiLoupe Plus 10.5x

Strong magnification helps identify snow crystals and subtle layer changes. Small, packable, and perfect for snowpit work.

$11.00

Snow Crystal Card

A simple measurement tool for examining crystal size and shape while recording snowpack observations.

*also sold in store at The Trailhead

$13.00

Reliable Communication

Staying connected in the backcountry is an important part of traveling safely. Devices like satellite messengers and radios help partners communicate, share location updates, and call for help when there is no cell service.

Garmin Inreach Messenger

A compact satellite communicator offering two way messaging, location sharing, and SOS functionality for remote adventures.

$199.00

Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio

Built for cold weather backcountry use. Clear audio, long battery life, and secure attachment points help teams coordinate spacing and transitions.

*also sold in store at
The Trailhead & Salida Mountain Sports

$220.00

Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding

A professional guide knows where the snow is soft, where the views are best, and how to link it all together for a great day in the backcountry. With deep local knowledge of the Sawatch Range, BVMA mountain guides find the best places to ski or ride so you can focus on enjoying the mountains and getting the most turns.

Guided Adventure

Give the gift of a winter adventure in Buena Vista’s backcountry! From backcountry ski and splitboard tours to guided cross-country ski and snowshoe trips, BVMA can provide an experience customized for all skill levels and goals.

*gift certificates are available in any amount and can be applied toward any course or guided tour

$70+

Snowmobile Accessed Backcountry

Upgrade to a snowmobile assisted backcountry tour to reach deeper terrain and save your legs for the best lines. Snowmobiles bypass long approaches and open access to remote bowls and high-elevation zones most people never reach. You still skin and earn your turns, and your guide will handle snowmobile instruction if needed. Fuel is included.

*gift certificates are available in any amount and can be applied toward any course or guided tour

$175+

Group Tour

A social and cost effective way for competent skiers and riders to explore high-quality terrain with a BVMA guide.

*gift certificates are available in any amount and can be applied toward any course or guided tour

$215.00

Mountain-Ready Services

Help them ski or ride better with services that improve comfort and gear performance.

a Fresh Tune-Up

Each season, skis and splitboards require basic maintenance for best performance and durability. Give the gift of gear care with a gift certificate to get a ski or splitboard waxed, edged, and more. 

The Trailhead

$40.00+

Custom Boot Fitting

Nothing kills a ski day faster than uncomfortable boots. A custom boot fit keeps your feet happy and supported from first chair to last run. Give the gift of comfort with expert boot fitting. Perfect for breaking in new boots or refreshing a well-loved pair.

Salida Mountain Sports

$60.00+

Ski & Splibaord Stocking Stuffers

A few well-chosen essentials can make a winter day even better. These stocking stuffers are useful, durable, and designed for skiers and riders who love spending time in the backcountry.

Voile Scraper

Removes snow and ice from skis and splitboards for smoother transitions and better glide.

*also sold in store at
The Trailhead & Salida Mountain Sports

$6.00

Glop Stopper

Prevents snow buildup on skins so uphill travel stays efficient.

*also sold in store at
The Trailhead & Salida Mountain Sports

$15.00

Slope Meter

Measures slope angle and aspect, plus includes a skin scraper edge.

*also sold in store at
The Trailhead & Salida Mountain Sports

$25.00

Ski Straps

One of the most versatile tools in the mountains. Repair bindings, secure gear, and more.

*also sold in store at
The Trailhead & Salida Mountain Sports

$8.50

Hardshell Tech Wash

Cleans outerwear and restores waterproofing to keep jackets and pants performing all winter.

*also sold in store at
The Trailhead & Salida Mountain Sports

$25.00

Outdoor Battery Power Bank

Waterproof, dustproof, and shock resistant power bank for phone or headlamp charging in cold conditions

$40.00

Give the Gift of Better Backcountry Days

From practical tools to unforgettable experiences, we hope you found the perfect gift for the backcountry skier or splitboarder in your life. Happy Holidays from the Buena Vista Mountain Adventures team. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Top Ten Reasons to Go Backcountry Skiing or Splitboarding with a Guide

Go with a guide

Planning a great time in the backcountry is more complicated than many people realize! Many factors can be overwhelming and make decision-making challenging. Whether it's your first time or tenth time in the winter backcountry, here are the top ten reasons that going skiing or splitboarding with a guide allows for the most fun, safe, and quality touring experience.

1. Avalanche Safety Expertise

   When skiing or splitboarding in the backcountry, you will be traveling in and near avalanche terrain. You can mitigate this risk by going with an experienced guide. With Pro Level training from the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and many years of experience, guides at BVMA are equipped with the skills and knowledge to expertly evaluate and choose appropriate terrain for the snow conditions. Professional guides can minimize or avoid most of the risk of backcountry touring, but any adventure in the outdoors comes with uncertainty. Going with a guide means that a well-practiced professional will plan for and respond to avalanche safety concerns.
   
   

2. Trip Planning Individualized for Meeting Your Goals

   Maybe you’re looking for a casual tour on some mellow terrain and the chance to catch up with a loved one, or maybe you’d like to try hard and get in as many turns as possible. Whatever backcountry experience you are looking for, experienced guides will check in about your individual goals or group needs. Combined with the local terrain and snowpack knowledge, your guide can then create a trip plan that fits your hopes for the day! 
   
   

3. Techniques for Skiing and Riding in Variable Snow Conditions

   Anyone who has been skiing or splitboarding in the backcountry knows how different the snow feels compared to the groomed or maintained slopes at a resort. When you go with a guide, you will learn valuable techniques for effectively skiing or riding in various conditions. From crusty snow to deep powder, quickly adapting to a changing snowpack is a learned skill.
   
   

4. Knowledge of the Local Snowpack

   Just as weather patterns and conditions vary depending on region and year, so do the snow conditions. Factors such as precipitation amount, fluctuating temperatures, storm systems, wind, and climate all impact the snowpack. Experienced guides will combine their knowledge of how these factors impact snow conditions with their study of local weather patterns and seasons to help you find the safest and best snow in the area. If there is backcountry powder to be safely enjoyed, a guide will help you find it.
   
   

5. Local Ecological and Historical Knowledge

   In addition to important safety and snowpack information, local guides bring other great knowledge to their backcountry tours. For example, guides can share about the indigenous peoples of the area, local mining history, and how environmental stewardship principles like Leave No Trace apply in the winter. Taking care of the spaces we recreate and supporting local communities are important responsibilities, and experienced guides are invested in this effort. You can even ask where to find the best pizza in town after your backcountry adventure!
   
   

6. Familiarity with Local Terrain

   With knowledge of the local snowpack comes an understanding of the local terrain. Expert local guides will know where to find the best snow in January versus March or where to go on a busy holiday weekend. The overlapping calculations of avoiding avalanche danger on certain slope aspects, navigating shallow or crusty snow on other terrain, and still finding enjoyable snow is daunting and risky if you don’t know the area. If you’re visiting from out of town, trust a guide to help you make the most of your time on the best terrain. If you live locally, go with a guide to become more familiar with your backyard!
   
   

7. Mentoring in Efficient Transitions

   Whether putting your skis in walk mode, switching from splitboard to snowboard, or taking off your skins, backcountry touring involves a lot of transitions. These can be a huge hassle or even pose risks if you are inefficiently or incorrectly utilizing gear. A guide will offer mentorship in efficient backcountry transitions so that you can save your energy for the slopes, take good care of your backcountry gear, and maximize your time skiing and riding.
   
   

8. Access Remote Terrain via Snowmobile

   When snowmobiles are available, the amount of time and energy it takes to reach distant backcountry terrain is greatly reduced. Without a snowmobile, a vast majority of excellent backcountry skiing and riding remains unavailable, purely because it is unrealistic to tour all the way to it and still have time to enjoy it! With BVMA guides, you can access remote terrain via snowmobile, opening the options for what is possible on a winter adventure.
   
   

9. Risk Management and Medical Emergency Response

   In addition to professional-level avalanche training, guides carry advanced backcountry medical and risk management training.  BVMA’s backcountry guides are required to have a minimum of a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, and many have more extensive medical training than that. The WFR is an intensive 8-day course with practical scenarios and re-certification every 2-3 years. Not only are our guides required to be able to respond to serious medical emergencies, but they are also practiced in managing risk in the backcountry to avoid those emergencies proactively. Guides carry both first aid kits and gear repair kits so that even a minor inconvenience can be resolved efficiently. In the case of Buena Vista and the Colorado Rockies, this includes accounting for acclimation and altitude when trip planning and guiding. You can trust that a guide will help you take care of yourself so that you can stay healthy and safe in the backcountry.
   
   

10. Freedom to Focus on Skiing, Riding, and Community

    There are many different components to planning and executing a quality backcountry ski or ride. When you trust a guide to manage safety, choose terrain, coach technical skills, and meet the needs of your group, you have the freedom to truly soak up the experience. Whether you’d like to enjoy a quiet backcountry day on fresh snow or make memories with your family and friends, guides are here to take care of the details and facilitate a quality experience.

Go With a BVMA Guide!

When you choose to go backcountry skiing or splitboarding with a BVMA guide, you can have the confidence you are signing up for a safe and fun experience. The backcountry will always be just that: an unpredictable adventure, but you can go with the assurance that a professional has your back!

If you’re interested in a backcountry ski or splitboard tour with one of Buena Vista Mountain Adventures’ experienced guides, go to www.bvmountainadventures.com/skiing-splitboarding for more information. We would be thrilled to see you in the Rockies this ski and ride season!

Colorado Snowshoe Adventures

If you’ve ever spent a winter in the Colorado mountains, you know how much our state thrives on winter sports! We love skiing, snowboarding, backcountry touring, and cross-country skiing – but these aren’t the only ways to experience the same snow, scenery, and fresh air. If hiking and walking through a winter wonderland appeals to you, snowshoeing might be something to try this season.

What is Snowshoeing?

Snowshoeing is one of the most accessible winter sports to learn, whether you are looking to try something new for yourself or take your children on an adventure. When snowshoeing, you use snowshoes that buckle or strap on to waterproof boots. Snowshoes help distribute your weight across the snow so you don’t sink as deep and can move more easily across the surface. Other parts of the snowshoe help you do things like gain traction on icy terrain and ascend steeper slopes. Snowshoes enable you to go winter hiking both on snow-covered summer trails and explore untouched Colorado terrain by breaking new trail through deep snow.

Fun for the Whole Family

Like hiking, snowshoeing can vary in difficulty based on the length and elevation gain of your route. It’s a great sport to enjoy with the whole family because you can choose to take a wintry stroll through the pines for less than an hour or go on an all-day adventure to an alpine lake. Along the way, the minimal gear to manage allows you the space for more conversation, laughter, snow angels, and snowball fights. We often find that slowing down on snowshoes enables us to soak in more of the beauty around us!

However, snowshoeing is not a sport to be underestimated. There are snowshoe runners and snowshoe racers, like the Snowshoe Championships held in Leadville, Colorado last year! Even when moving slowly, snowshoers can work hard to break trail, travel uphill, and get some solid exercise. The beauty of snowshoeing is that with just a pair of snowshoes, you can find an adventure that’s just your speed.

Snowshoeing is Affordable & Accessible

Compared to many other winter sports, snowshoeing is relatively affordable and easy to enjoy on your own. Sports like skiing and snowboarding require a myriad of expensive gear, practiced skills, and technical terrain; these things can be challenging to come by, especially for the whole growing family! Since snowshoeing is essentially hiking in the snow, all you need are snowshoes, warm waterproof boots, and basic hiking essentials, including a sense of where to go. In addition, snowshoes are adjustable and strap on to your snow boots, and so within a certain range, snowshoes will grow with your child and can be shared between family members and friends.

Guided Backcountry Snowshoe Tours

Like any sport, snowshoeing comes with its own gear and skills for having the best experience in the snow! A guide can teach you how and when to utilize the different parts of the snowshoe and how to adjust the snowshoe for maximum comfort and traction. In addition, a guide offers valuable expertise on snow conditions and what local areas to enjoy or avoid.  By managing safety concerns such as avalanche terrain, trail difficulty, and weather conditions, going with a guide brings peace of mind so that you can focus on enjoying time outside with your friends and family. 

From Leadville to Salida, the Upper Arkansas River Valley is filled with amazing snowshoe trails. Buena Vista Mountain Adventure snowshoe guides would love to introduce you to some of our favorite spots. So if you’re interested in one of our guided snowshoe tours, please visitwww.bvmountainadventures.com/snowshoeing to learn more.

Cross Country Skiing in the Colorado Rockies

As winter settles in the Colorado Rockies, we’re preparing to celebrate the arrival of snow on our trails with one of our favorite activities: cross country skiing. Whether gliding over the many groomed trails surrounding Leadville, winding up into the backcountry outside Buena Vista or enjoying a mellow afternoon beneath Salida’s 14,000-foot peaks, the Upper Arkansas Valley offers trail options for cross country skiers across many ages and abilities.

Cross Country Skiing

Cross country skiing is a beloved winter sport because it combines the exercise and awe of skiing with the accessibility and reflection of hiking. When cross country skiing, you kick-and-glide to achieve forward momentum with your skis; this rhythmic exercise can range from a relaxing pace that is only just faster than walking to strenuous, allowing you to get in the cardio equivalent of a long trail run. So whether you want to chat and admire the views or push yourself to cover more miles, cross country skiers can enjoy the icy sparkle of lodgepole pines and aspen trees, spot animal prints in the crisp white snow, and admire the mountain scenery of the Sawatch Range.

Unlike downhill skiers, cross country skiers use longer, skinnier skis to travel across flat or undulating terrain. Some trails are maintained, or groomed, to remain smooth and fast, with two parallel ski tracks for skiers to follow. However, the beauty of cross country skiing is that you can enjoy a day on groomed trails or an adventure into low-angle backcountry terrain with the same skis.  Sometimes called Nordic Skiing, cross country tours into the backcountry often involve navigating weather-dependent conditions, such as softer or icier trails, rather than the maintained nature of groomed trails. As a result, because of recent weather or ski traffic, backcountry skiers can find themselves following the well-traveled tracks of skiers before them or be the first to make a path through fresh snow.

Guided Ski Tours

Guided cross-country ski tours are an excellent option for trying a new winter sport and exploring a new area. Whether enjoying groomed trails or touring the backcountry, cross country skiing requires various unique techniques for moving efficiently on changing terrain. These skills are relatively easy to learn; however, even the skilled downhill skier can experience confusion without practice and coaching. For example, learning curves for new cross country skiers often include the differences in turning between downhill skis and Nordic skis and utilizing the scales on cross country skis to gain traction uphill. You can avoid much of this frustration by going with a guide.

With BVMA, guided cross country ski tours allow you to focus on fun and learning rather than getting bogged down in the details of gear use or backcountry navigation. After seeking to understand your goals and hopes for the day, our experienced guides will teach a thorough gear and ski progression so you can safely and efficiently ski, stop, and traverse up and down gradual hills. Guides will carefully select appropriate routes and terrain based on your preferences as well as factors such as weather, snow conditions, and avalanche danger. In addition, our guides can introduce you to the best Nordic ski spots in the San Isabel National Forest, providing you access to the solitude and serenity often found during winter mountain adventures.

Let’s go Country Skiing

If you’re interested in a cross country ski tour this winter with one of BVMA’s experienced guides, please visit us at www.bvmountainadventures.com/cross-country-skiing. We would love to equip you with Nordic skis, teach you how to use them effectively, and introduce you to winter in the Colorado Rockies!

Intro to Backcountry Skiing/Riding V.S. AIARE Avalanche Education

Which backcountry course is right for you?

As ski and ride season approaches, resort and backcountry enthusiasts alike are getting excited and preparing for the arrival of snow! Whether it’s your first or third season getting out of the resort and into the backcountry, there are a variety of educational opportunities to keep you exploring safely and successfully. These options can seem daunting, but ultimately two courses teach the basic skills, knowledge, and risk management strategies essential to getting started with your winter backcountry adventures: Intro to Backcountry Skiing and Riding courses and AIARE Avalanche Education courses. 

Intro to Backcountry Skiing and Riding

Intro to Backcountry Skiing and Riding Courses focus on gear familiarization, uphill movement, skiing variable snow conditions, and basic avalanche awareness. Whether skiing or snowboarding, learning to transition from uphill to downhill travel involves a series of practiced skills such as putting on and taking off climbing skins, switching bindings from walk to ski, or switching between splitboard to snowboard. Our experienced instructors will offer tips and tricks for using gear safely and efficiently so you can maximize your turns!

In addition, in the Intro to Skiing and Riding Course, you’ll learn the basic movement necessary for backcountry travel. Instructors will coach how to choose an effective route uphill by reading the snow-covered terrain, deciphering features, knowing what to avoid, and setting a good pace. Your instructors will teach kick turns to maintain momentum and cut smooth skin tracks as you journey uphill. They will also provide tips for cruising the short downhill sections with your skins on or when your board is in split mode – skills that often feel odd and wobbly at first! Finally, when it comes time to make some turns, this introductory course also provides ski and splitboard development for the variety of snow conditions encountered in the backcountry. From deep powder to crusty or windblown snow, the variable snowpack provides even the seasoned skier or snowboarder the opportunity to learn new techniques.

Throughout the Intro Course, you will also learn basic avalanche awareness. While this is not specifically an avalanche education course, avalanche danger is the most significant risk to winter backcountry travelers. You will learn a brief overview of tools for checking the predicted avalanche danger each day, slope angles and aspects to be cautious of, and the essentials to keep yourself safe while still adventuring in the backcountry – and since avalanches are no joke, you will be told to go take an Avalanche Education course if you plan on recreating often in the backcountry during winter.

AIARE Avalanche Education

Because the Intro Course only touches the surface of avalanche awareness, AIARE Avalanche Education courses are essential for learning how to make good decisions while enjoying backcountry slopes. These courses are built as a progression that teach a repeatable risk management system, coach the use of trip planning tools and resources, and explore snow science, weather, and terrain information. AIARE 1 gets students started with a foundation, AIARE Avalanche Rescue teaches essential beacon and probe skills in the event of an avalanche, and AIARE 2 advances and solidifies decision-making knowledge and abilities.

In each AIARE Avalanche Education course, you will review and practice a repeatable risk management system so that it becomes like muscle memory, whether you are proactively planning for an adventure or reactively using rescue skills in an emergency. Not exclusive to skiing or riding, this foundational skillset can be utilized anytime you are traveling in the backcountry. It allows you to identify risks, understand the consequences and likelihood of those risks, and make plans to mitigate or avoid them. In addition to research and resources from snow scientists, AIARE courses implement essential trip-planning tools, including the introductory use of a map, an overview of digital mapping tools, and coaching on how to use these tools on the go to effectively route find around avalanche terrain.

One of the most engaging aspects of the AIARE Avalanche Curriculum is the exploration of snow science principles, winter weather patterns, and the impact of these on existing terrain features. As it gets deeper into winter, snow that falls at different times or in different conditions forms layers; the strength or weakness of these layers, and of the snowpack as a whole, is impacted by a variety of factors, such as snow moisture and temperature. When a layer is weaker, snow is more likely to break or slide, creating an avalanche. While this is an oversimplified explanation, AIARE curriculum helps you understand how to identify some of those layers, as well as provides resources from experts for knowing weather patterns that drive changing snow conditions and instabilities. In addition, in an AIARE course, you will learn how to identify avalanche terrain based on factors like slope angle, slope aspect, and other features in your surroundings.

As you can see, both Intro to Backcountry Skiing and Riding Courses and AIARE Avalanche Education Courses provide skills and knowledge necessary for safe, efficient, and fun winter backcountry travel, but they meet vastly different needs. Intro to Backcountry Skiing and Riding Course provides basic skills and techniques. AIARE Avalanche Education enables you to practice discerning when and where you can ski or ride safely.

Ready to sign up for a course?

If you’re interested in getting into the backcountry this winter and learning new skills, consider taking our Intro to Backcountry Skiing/Splitboarding Course or one of our AIARE Avalanche Education Courses with BVMA’s experienced instructors! We'd love to help you acquire and develop the skills you need to be safe and have fun in the Colorado backcountry.

How My Day Job Affects My Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain

Hi My name is Devin,

and I am a part-time backcountry ski guide for BVMA. I love ski guiding.

Part of the reason is because I love backcountry skiing. Being a backcountry ski guide also gives me the chance to share the experience of backcountry skiing with others. Seeing smiles on our guests’ faces when they get to experience limitless powder skiing in the backcountry for the first time is the best. Thankfully, my day job also involves time in the snow. I am lucky enough to ski patrol at Copper Mountain. One of the most rewarding parts of ski patrolling to me is avalanche mitigation work. In this post, I will explain what we do at the resort to mitigate risk of avalanches, and share how that affects my decision making in avalanche terrain as your ski guide!

A ski resort is just a mountain.

Without the hard work of ski patrollers, resort terrain is just as susceptible to avalanches as any other mountain.

To keep Copper Mountain safe, ski patrollers do their best to take all of the instabilities in a snowpack and neutralize them. Avalanche mitigation is done in many ways. The most common (and popular) approach is to blow up these instabilities. Explosives are used to break up slabs and collapse any hidden weak layers that might cause an snow to slide. Other tools in a ski patroller’s tool box for avalanche mitigation are ski cutting, cornice kicking, and boot packing.  Everyday I show up to work and hang out in avalanche terrain so that skiers at Copper Mountain can have fun on the hill with reasonably low avalanche danger. This means that I spend a lot of time working in avalanche terrain in my day job. Sometimes it takes effort to switch my mind from being a ski patroller, where my job is to go into avalanche terrain, to guide mode, where my job is to avoid being in avalanche terrain.  

My day job as a ski patroller affects my ski guiding and decision making in avalanche terrain in multiple ways

I’m woking in the snow almost everyday

I get an in depth history of the snowpack and the work done to prevent avalanches it in any given area on the mountain.This gives me confidence to move in avalanche terrain at work.  When it comes time to move around the backcountry, I remind myself that I’m working on a different snowpack with a different history, so I need to change the way I make decisions. The solution is to make very conservative decisions when guiding.

I’m familiar with how an avalanche looks and feels

An advantage to doing all of this work is knowing what an avalanche looks like and what it feels like.  As a ski patroller I have intentionally started hundreds of avalanches. I know what it feels like when a weak layer collapses.  I know what serious wind loading looks like. I can look at a slope and use my experience to judge what might happen if I ski a slope. I can bring this knowledge to ski guiding.

I get to work with people who have been in the industry for years.

Some of them have been patrolling for a long time.  Some have been guides themselves. It is a huge advantage to be able to look at conditions with a 25 year snow worker and get their opinion. The people I patrol with are always ready to share knowledge and experience with me.  I can ask questions on anything from snowpack observations to how weather will affect the snowpack, to safe travel practices, and their near miss experiences. I can take their knowledge and experiences and use those things to help me be an even better guide.

I’d love to share more about avalanche terrain and decision making in it, so if I’m your guide with BVMA, be sure to ask! There is always more to learn, and endless powder to ski!

Get into the backcountry with BVMA

#BVMA #BVbackcountry #SkiBV #GoThereStartHere #BuenaVistaCO

Summiting Denali

BVMA Guide James Bealer Summits Denali

I recently climbed Denali in May and June 2019 while working for RMI Expeditions. Here is the story of my expedition.

Denali is the highest mountain peak in North America

Our expedition began in Anchorage, where the team met in person for the first time. We loaded into a shuttle and drove to Wasilla, Alaska to shop for last-minute food purchases. After grabbing a quick dinner, we continued driving north to Talkeetna, our last stop in civilization. The next day, we began sorting group food, double-checking our tents and stoves, and attended a briefing with the National Park Service. We made sure every single bag was packed and weighed, so K2 Aviation, the company, flying us onto the mountain, knew exactly how much each plane would weigh. K2 even weighed each climber holding his or her mountain boots, which we left in the hanger to be ready to fly the next day.

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Getting to the first camp

7,800 feet above sea level

In the morning, we got word that the weather was good to go, so the team loaded two planes outfitted with massive skis and took off. The flight into the Alaska Range is absolutely stunning. You can see glaciers flowing for miles out of the mountains, and peaks soaring higher than the plane is flying just out the window. We circled once over basecamp and then landed on the all snow airstrip. The next hour went quickly, as we packed our sleds with food and fuel for the next 22 days. We headed out of basecamp and began the five-mile trek up the Kahiltna Glacier to Camp 1.

Camp 1 on Denali sits at roughly 7,800 feet of elevation. Once arrived, our team went straight to work setting up camp. There is plenty to do when building a camp in the snow. Tent platforms must be dug out and packed down to be firm enough to sleep on, and the camp has to be checked for crevasses. We made a small kitchen to cook in and melt snow for drinking water. When all was finished, it was quite late, and we quickly went to sleep in preparation for moving camp the next day. Moving a camp takes a total of three days.

Getting to the second camp

11,000 feet above sea level

The first day, we carry a large load of food most of the way to the next camp and “cache” it there. Caching means we dig a very deep hole in the snow and bury our food and gear, marking it so that we can return and pick it up later.

Getting to the third camp

14,200 feet above sea level

The second day, we pack up and move all the way up to the next camp. Finally, we get a quasi-rest day as we make the short journey to retrieve our cache. The next week was spent moving gear and camp up the mountain to Camp 2 at 11,000 feet and then to Camp 3, at 14,200 feet.

Summiting Denali

20,310 feet above sea level

To summit Denali, you need three days of good weather in a row. One day to move up to Camp 4, one to go for the summit, and one to descend from Camp 4. Until that happens, you sit at Camp 3 and bide your time. We sat at camp for eight days. Most of the time was spent in our tents reading books, listening to music, and eating snacks. Finally, the forecast said it was time to climb. The team moved to Camp 4 and spent the night at 17,200 feet. That morning, we woke up and headed towards the summit. Stunning views greeted us in all directions as we climbed closer to the highest point in North America. We pushed through as the wind chill dropped to -70 degrees Fahrenheit. After 8 hours of slow, labored climbing, we hit the top.

The whole team was standing at 20,320 feet above sea level. We celebrated with hugs, tears, high-fives, and lots of smiles. There are few places in the world as incredible as Denali. Of those places, few are as incredibly challenging. Only a lucky few will ever get to experience the magic found on the top of that mountain. All I can say is, I’m excited to help another group of climbers do it again next year.

James Bealer currently splits his time between guiding glaciated peaks in Washington and guiding for BVMA.

#BVMA #BVbackcountry #SkiBV #GoThereStartHere #BuenaVistaCO

Looking Ahead to Spring Ski Season!

2019 Snow

To say this winter has been “epic” would be an understatement;

historic is a much more accurate way to describe winter in Colorado this year.

The Arkansas River basin is at about 145% of normal with regards to snow water equivalent [Figure 1]. These numbers are sure to delight the boating crowd, but they also point to the potential for some amazing spring skiing and riding. A deep and robust late-season snowpack in the Arkansas Valley is going to lead to one of the best spring ski seasons in recent memory!

View fullsize

[Figure 1]

So what exactly happens to the snowpack as the seasons transition from winter to spring?

melt-freeze metamorphism

A process called melt-freeze metamorphism drives this seasonal change in the snowpack, and it has already began affecting the snowpack on sunny slopes and at lower elevations. During this process, water percolates through the snowpack on warm sunny days and then freezes up the snow grains during cold, clear nights. When the liquid water freezes at night it essentially locks up the snow crystals and makes them very strong until the sun and warmer temperatures soften them up the next day.

Corn Snow

The finished product of melt-freeze metamorphism is referred to as “corn snow” [Figure 2]. On a clear and chilly spring morning your skis or board won’t be able to penetrate into the snow surface because the entire snowpack is frozen solid. The upper snowpack will progressively soften as the sun comes out and the day warms up. When your skis or board sink down a few inches in the upper snowpack then you have found perfect corn! If you find yourself sinking in more than a few inches then it is time to move to shadier slopes or get off steep terrain.

[Figure 2]

melt-freeze cycles

Spring riders and ski/snowboard mountaineers take advantage of these melt-freeze cycles to get out and explore big steep lines in the backcountry. Personally, springtime is my favorite time to play in the mountains around Buena Vista; the days are long, the travel conditions are fast [Figure 3] and the snowpack becomes more predictable. Remember that starting early and getting off steep slopes before they get too much sun and become wet and sticky is essential for safe travel when dealing with spring conditions.

[Figure 3]

Ski Mountaineering & Guided Backcountry Skiing / Splitboarding

The staff here at BVMA also loves to take advantage of the amazing spring riding conditions in the Arkansas Valley. This year, we are offering a Ski Mountaineering Skills course from May 3 – May 5 with an AMGA Ski Guide, and will continue to offer guided backcountry ski tours for guests on great lines in the Cottonwood Pass area through May.

Come enjoy an awesome Spring Ski season with BVMA

John MacKinnon [Figure 4]

John is an AMGA Rock & Ski Guide, and partner with BVMA. He lives in Leadville with his wife, Reed, and 8-week old daughter, Eleanor. If there is snow in the mountains, he can usually be found somewhere in the Sawatch Zone with skis on his feet or on his backpack.

#BVMA #BVbackcountry #SkiBV #GoThereStartHere #BuenaVistaCO

Why You Need a Pre-game Routine for Backcountry Skiing

Having a pre-game routine gets you ready for what you’re about to do.

When I played basketball, I got made fun of for being superstitious. I always got ready the same way. I put different parts of my uniform in the same order. Then I put my left sock on, my right sock on, my left shoe, and finally my right shoe. I always started with the left first. Looking back on it, there was no superstition, I just enjoyed a routine. This was my basketball pre-game routine. I do the exact same thing for backcountry skiing.

I have a routine. I have a certain way to start the day in order to set myself up for success.

1. I like to gather my gear together the night before, so I don’t worry about it in the morning.

2. I make sure my skis and poles are strapped together, so I don’t forget one or the other.

3. I always put my skins in my pack. Some people like to put them on the skis before you leave the house. It is very convenient, but I’ve been told that it’s bad for both the bases of skis and the glue of your skins to be on skis for an extended period of time. So, I make sure to wait for the trailhead to put them on.  

4. I gather my pack and gear. Checking to make sure I have my three kits: first aid kit, repair kit, and rescue kit.  

5. I set out my shell and whatever extra insulation I may need, depending on conditions. I like to leave all of this in a big pile by the door. I actually pack it all in the morning to be sure I have everything.

6. I always make sure my boots are in the house so they aren’t frozen the next morning from sitting in the cold.

7. The next day (day of skiing), I like to wake up in time to eat a nice breakfast.  It’s good to remember that food is fuel. What you put in your body at the start of the day is what gets you to the top.  

8. While I’m eating, I check the CAIC forecast, and look at a map of the area I’m going to ski.

9. Before getting in the car, I always run through a checklist with the group I am skiing with. Does everybody have a beacon, shovel, probe? What about skis and skins? It is always a bummer if somebody forgets boots too.  

10. On the way to the trailhead, I like to mentally prepare for skiing - thinking about the uphill and the challenge that it will be. I consider the weather conditions and mentally prepare for them. I talk through the group dynamics in my head. I also set goals for the day.

Now, when I get to the trailhead, I am ready to ski!

If you have a good routine you can improve your chances of having a great day in the backcountry. It can help you not forget an essential piece of gear, and get your mind ready for the challenge that awaits. It doesn’t need to be as detailed as my routine, but I highly suggest setting a standard in place for yourself! Every time I ski, I still have a routine. I start with the left boot first...

Get into the backcountry with BVMA

#BVMA #BVbackcountry #SkiBV #GoThereStartHere #BuenaVistaCO

What’s in your pack?

Packing for Backcountry
Skiing and Splitboarding

Being intentional in what and how you pack your backcountry backpack, as well as, periodically going through your pack throughout the season; ensures you won't find that half-eaten PB&J while you are looking for your other glove, and makes certain you have what you need for a safe, fun and successful day in the backcountry.

Below is a breakdown of what I generally carry as a guide and a few thoughts on how I pack my bag.

*Please note, there are many different schools of thought on how to pack a pack, not to mention, a lot of different gear to choose from.

This blog post is just how I pack my ski pack and what equipment I use as a professional guide. Talk to your ski partners; what are they doing? Try different methods for packing your own backpack. What works? What needs improvement? Remember, experience is the best teacher!

What To Pack

I have the mindset that what I carry as a backcountry traveler gives me the ability to stay comfortable, safe and handle uncertainty and adversity while I am in the wild snow. Anything can happen in the backcountry, being prepared and having the ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment is paramount. There is however, a balance, you don't want to carry too much either. Think strategically. Strive to have the most amount of tricks with the fewest amount of tools. What items do you have in your pack that serves multiple uses? With bringing the right stuff also comes the responsibility of knowing how and when to use it. Do you know how to use everything you have with you? If you don’t, that's ok, practice. Know how to use everything you carry with you in a non-emergent situation so you are prepared for an emergency—this is important. Now what's in my pack, you ask?

Generally speaking, I divide my gear into two categories;

necessities and seasonal

Backcountry Necessities

I carry the following items with me no matter the day. I may tweak a few things depending on weather, distance, or duration but the 'necessity' items are always in my ski pack. Within the necessity category, I organize into three sub-categories: Rescue & Emergency, Personal Comfort, and Snow Study.

Rescue & Emergency

Avalanche Rescue

• Beacon
• Shovel
• Probe

Make sure your beacon has good batteries, and all components are functioning properly

First Aid Kit

I am continually taking note if I used anything out of my first aid kit that may need to be replaced or restocked.

I also, think about what kind of emergencies I might be dealing with each tour; every outing can pose different threats

I also consider how long I will be out in the field

Repair Kit

• Can you fix your touring rig?

• How about your friends?

Shelter/

Evacuation

• Will we have to wait for help?

• Can we transport an injured person?

• Can we build a fire?

Head Lamp(s)

I carry two

No one ever plans on getting caught out past dark, be prepared

Personal Comfort

Insulation

• A packable synthetic or down jacket

• I tend to vary the weight depending on the temperature

Protection From The Elements

• A weatherproof shell to keep the wind and precipitation off.

• Sun shirt. In the spring, when I may not have a soft or hard shell on I commonly wear a sunproof base layer (I particularly love a hood)

• Buff

• Handwarmers

Gloves, Gloves and More Gloves

Cold and wet hands are no fun, for this reason, I generally have at least two sometimes three pairs of gloves in my pack depending on the tour and the conditions

Food and Water

Bring what you like and what keeps you going.

A little extra is a good thing. Everyone is a bit different here.

I generally carry Bars, PB&J and approximately one litre of water

Snow Study

As a professional, I carry items to help me make snowpack observations as often as needed. I find digging in the snow, checking out layers and tracking the seasons' conditions to be super enjoyable. Anyone adventuring in the backcountry should take an AIARE Level 1 to obtain a basic recreational knowledge of snow observation and safe travel.

Seasonal Items

As winter turns to spring and our objectives drift from soft skiing snow to harder, steeper spring lines, we also need to carry a few more tools. Climbing and skiing spring snow can be super enjoyable but has its own set of skills to learn. Make sure to get the training!

Ski and Foot Crampons

When the going gets steep, put them on your feet.

Your climbing skins may not work as well with hard snow.

Ski crampons can be an excellent tool for steep hard snow conditions.

Piolet’ (Ice Axe) and/or Whipit

For climbing steep snow or arresting a fall in steep terrain

How To Pack

Efficiency also means safety in the mountains. If I can have what I need at a moments grasp I have more time to communicate with partners, make observations, and ensure I am on route. In other words, all that time you took looking for your second glove, you could have been talking with your partner about what you’ve been observing on your tour so far.    

How Quickly can you get to emergency items?

Do a deployment drill. Can you get out and deploy your shovel and probe in a matter of seconds? I personally prefer a pack with a dedicated snow tool compartment that is big and easy to get to.

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What will you need sooner than later or more frequently?

Items I use all the time I keep on my person or in my pack’s hip belt. (Compass, Scraper, Lip Balm, Sunscreen, Ski Straps, Snacks)

If I know it is going to be super windy above treeline, I will put my hard shell and a heavier pair of gloves at the top of my pack etc.

Over the past few season guiding, I have also started to keep a few small items that I or my customers may need at the top outside pocket of my pack. Ibuprofen, Bandaids, Blister care items, Cotton tape, Glop Stopper.

Planing how my pack is organized has greatly improved the number of times I need to dig things out of the bottom of my pack.   

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What types of transitions will I be making and when?

If I know I will have a steep snow climb coming up sooner than later I will put my crampons up at the top of my pack or if there is a high probability that I will need something I will make sure it is easier to get to it.

In Conclusion

Packing for Backcountry Skiing and Splitboarding

What we bring with us and how we carry it in our pack can greatly improve your efficiency, as well as, your ability to adapt and improvise as needed. Be intentional with your backcountry backpack. Also, don’t forget to periodically go through your pack throughout the season to insure you have what you need for a safe, fun and successful day in the backcountry.

Learn more about
Guided Backcountry Skiing And Splitboarding with BVMA

#BVMA #BVbackcountry #SkiBV #GoThereStartHere #BuenaVistaCO

Why Invest In Outdoor Education?

In the world of outdoor ADVENTURE, many voices are competing for your hard-earned dollar.

Web, print, and television advertising continually tempt you to splurge on the latest gear or the best vacation destination of the year. These are reasonable outlets for your cash, but it’s relatively easy to make the argument that there is a potentially more valuable way to improve your outdoor experience than new gear or more exotic destinations.

Throughout the history of outdoor sports, those new to an activity have traditionally had a mentor, usually a close friend or family member, who showed them the ropes and taught them the techniques, and also the ethics, of their chosen form of outdoor recreation. This was especially true in the world of hunting and fishing where many of us learned valuable lessons at a young age from a close relative.

In the modern world of outdoor adventure sports, and I’m specifically thinking of rock climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding, there is often a different path to gaining skills and knowledge. One of the best, and sometimes the only way, to become proficient and stay safe, is to take a course from a professional guide.

outdoor education is an excellent investment for anyone interested in outdoor adventure

True Experts

1. Despite the impression that you get from the vast number of gear stores and magazines, climbing and backcountry skiing are niche sports with relatively few serious enthusiasts and even fewer true experts. As a result, not everyone who is interested in becoming skilled at these sports has an effective mentor who can teach them the skills and the decision-making required to enjoy the sport in a fun and safe manner.

   Not Just For Beginners

2. Outdoor adventure sports are very equipment and knowledge intensive. Navigating trip planning, use, and care of equipment, and related skills like navigation can be overwhelming for anyone, not just the beginners.

   
   Accelerate The Learning Curve

3. Outdoor adventure sports also require a long time to get to the point where the participant feels like the skills come naturally, and even longer to reach the advanced or expert level. Anything that you can do to accelerate the learning curve is worthwhile.

   
   Complex Skills

4. Complex skills are best learned in a disciplined, systematic environment that follows a “crawl, walk, run” progression from classroom instruction to basic scenarios to outdoor practical application.

   
   Professional Instruction

5. All outdoor sports, but especially backcountry skiing and rock climbing, have inherent dangers that rarely exist in other sports. Professional instruction provides not only skills but risk management tactics and decision-making frameworks to reduce risks to a manageable level for the participant.

Whether you are new to the outdoor adventure world or are a seasoned veteran, mastery of mountain skills is a lifelong pursuit. One of the best investments you can make on this journey is professional outdoor education.

Learn more about
Outdoor educational courses with BVMA

#BVMA #BVbackcountry #SkiBV #GoThereStartHere #BuenaVistaCO

Types of Winter Travel Explained

Types of Winter Travel Explained

UNDERSTANDING THE VARIETY OF WINTER SPORTS CAN BE OVERWHELMING

BUT BUENA VISTA MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES FOCUSES ON MAKING THE BACKCOUNTRY ACCESSIBLE

Entering into a winter sport with the right gear and a clear understanding of what you can encounter sets you up for success.

Alpine Sports

ALPINE SPORTS FOCUS ON THE RAPID DESCENT OF AN OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST DOWN A SNOWY INCLINE 

However, the kind of terrain and activity level you encounter in downhill resort skiing is very distinct from backcountry touring.

DOWNHILL

Riding a lift up to the top of a cleared run, and wearing equipment (skis or board) designed strictly for decent.    

ALPINE TOURING

Backcountry gear is designed to travel across, up and down a wide variety of terrain. Ski bindings are made with a free heel setting so you can move with ease across flat areas. Skis have skins applied for uphill travel. Skins are a microfiber hair that glides forward (with the nap), and catches the snow (against the nap) as you push against them, allowing for uphill travel. When you prepare to descend you remove your skins, lock down the heel of your ski, for stronger control in deep untracked powder.

Nordic Ski Sports

NORDIC SKI TECHNIQUES DATE BACK TO THE ORIGIN OF SKIING, THEN USED TO TRAVERSE DEEP SNOW AND HUNT DURING WINTER MONTHS 

These ski techniques have continued to provide people access to varied terrain and have lead to a culture of winter play around the world.

TELEMARK

Telemark is a free heel technique for downhill travel where the skier lunges into their downhill turn.  

CROSS COUNTRY

When moving across rolling terrain or open flat areas, traditional cross country gear is ideal. The skis are designed with free heels, thinner and longer, with wax or scales to bite into the snow. Cross country skiing uses a rhythmic pushing, similar to rollerblading, to move across winter landscapes. Wax on skis interacts with the snow crystals at different temperatures to give forward momentum. Waxless, or scaled skis, catch the edge of the scales to push you forward. Cross country skiing can be done at a stately pace, or can be almost like running on snow—depending on your skill level and need for speed.

BACKCOUNTRY SPLITBOARDING

SNOWBOARDING OR RIDING 

If you are a snowboarder and are ready to seek out the deep snow and varied terrain of the backcountry, then splitboarding is the way to go.

Designed in the 1990s by riders ready to get into the wild, splitboards separate to form two short “skis” that allow the boarder to ascend hills and traverse flat areas. Skins are applied to the bottom of the separated board, hills climbed, skins removed, board joined together and bindings shifted-- now you are ready for descent.

SNOWSHOEING

WINTER HIKING

Snowshoes are an ancient method of winter travel accessible to all skill levels. Using platforms strapped onto winter boots, snowshoeing distributes your weight across the top of the snow so that you don’t sink. For deep snow and weighted travel, longer and wider snowshoes are used. For short winter trails, lighter and smaller snowshoes are used. Metal or plastic teeth are incorporated onto the bottoms of some snowshoes to provide additional stability when climbing trails. Snowshoeing can propel you into the woods, or to the tops of peaks.  

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