• 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

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

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!

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.