BIT 2023 Jan 07 Day 1 - Backcountry Skiers in Training course - Saturday, Jan 07, 2023

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up.
The Basics:
Event Type: Course 
Event Location: to be determined 
Event Starts:   Saturday, Jan 07, 2023 09:00 AM  
Event Ends:   Saturday, Jan 07, 2023 05:00 PM  
Registration Cut Off:   Thursday, Dec 15, 2022 04:00 PM  
Difficulty Rating:   D2 - See Conversion Chart  
Trip Coordinator(s):   Jim McIvor
 

Participant Info:
Who's Invited:   Members Only  
Attendee Screening:   Attendees are Pre-Screened
Maximum Group Size: 40
Number Registered So Far:   0 (View sign-ups, waiting list)
Are Dogs Permitted:   No

Itinerary:
  • Sat Jan 7, 2023 – 0900 to 1600 – ZOOM lecture – a chock-full presentation covering trip planning, gear, avalanche condition evaluation, being a good ski partner, human factors and decision-making, and the Rocky Mountain section and future trips
  • Sat Jan 21, 2023 – full day at Chester Lake (location to be confirmed)
  • Morning – beacon search & companion rescue practise and review
  • Afternoon – short tour on gear to familiarize equipment use, climbing with skins and transitions. Give leaders and participants a chance to get to know each other.
  • Sat Feb 4, 2023 – full day – multiple groups touring at locations to be determined

                  A moderate day tour that will take breaks to review terrain management techniques and

              navigation, slope assessment, safe travel in avy terrain


  • Sat Feb 25, 2023 – full day - multiple groups touring at locations to be determined

                  a moderate/advanced day tour that brings the program learnings together

Required Items to Bring:
  • Participants must have their own backcountry equipment and the details will be covered in the lecture day. Suitable rentals are available in Calgary and Canmore/Banff. NOTE  if you plan on renting gear, be advised to book it well in advance. Waiting until after the lecture day in past years meant no rentals were available ;-(
  • You must be a member of the Rocky Mountain Section of the ACC to participate. Contact the ACC National Office at 403-678-3200 to sign up!
  • Participants must apply and be accepted to the program, using the application form at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UzqI4EVspAwk8G1wa_0-T4qGUa8-us25?usp=sharing Complete the form, and email to us at RMSBITProgram@gmail.com
  • The program is not a learn to ski/board course, so participants must already be intermediate resort riders, able to comfortably negotiate a blue/black run on their gear
  • The program will provide both lecture and field discussion of avalanche safety and travel techniques, however, participants MUST have completed the Canadian Avalanche Association AST1 (1 day) course before the program (first field day) begins. This ensures all participants have minimum recognized & certified training to look out for their own and other’s safety during the field trips.

Recommended Items to Bring:

recommended items for a backcountry ski tour day will be covered in the lecture day


How to Get There:
Event Directions:  

The Rocky Mountain section has run an annual course for beginning backcountry skiers since 2001, and initiated hundreds of new skiers into the pleasures of the backcountry. The BIT program was the inspiration of member Rod Plasman, and we are pleased to continue the program after Rod’s retirement!


BIT 2023 is for new-ish backcountry riders, who are already competent resort skiers or snowboarders.  It introduces people to riding in the back country, and helps them be good, responsible BC partners. It is designed to fill in the knowledge requirements that the BC experience demands. The program is free, and is led by experienced section volunteers. The program has one lecture day and three field trips, that are designed to consecutively build participants knowledge and ability to travel safely in the backcountry. We invite split boarders to join the program as well, and will if possible, group boarders with boarder leaders!

 

Notes:

Applications will be accepted until Dec 15th, and you will be contacted by Dec 25th if you are accepted.

Please note that all applicants must complete AST1 before the first field day (Jan 21st)


Email your questions to RMSBITProgram@gmail.com and we will fill you in!

 

Your BIT 2023 Co-ordinators

Stephen Hanus

Kate Snedeker

Brandy Dahrouge

Jim McIvor



  • There is no charge for the program. However, we require participants to complete the lecture day (Jan 7) and first field trip (avy safety / equipment test) day (Jan 21) to attend the following days.

*Cancellation Policy*: If a participant is unable to attend a paid course or trip, there will be no refund unless the participant finds a suitable replacement that is acceptable to the trip coordinator. Acceptable waiting list candidates will have priority. It will then be the participant's responsibility to recover funds from the replacement. If the coordinator cancels an event, participants get a refund (less any non-recoverable costs). Note that ACC National does not refund hut fees due to weather, delay, closures, or any other reasons. The Rocky Mountain Section of the ACC is a not for profit club and we only charge attendees what it costs us to provide courses or trips.

Trip Feedback
If you have any feedback, positive or negative, concerning this trip or any other, we want to hear from you!
Click here to be directed to our "Contact Us" page and contact the appropriate Chair person or the Section Chair. This is also a simple way to make your section executive aware of any praises, suggestions or problems you may have with any area of the Rocky Mountain Section of the ACC.
Thank you for your response.

Registration for this event closed on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 04:00 PM.