• You’ve never skied in the backcountry before, and you want to start exploring safely, learn from experienced professionals, and jumpstart the learning curve.

• You plan to take an avalanche course, and want to be dialed on basic avalanche awareness concepts, how to use your gear, and how to pack, layer, and skin efficiently.

• You’ve gone touring a few times, but maybe it’s been a while, or you just haven’t built the confidence to venture into more interesting terrain without more practice and/or education.

• You have backcountry experience, but are trying to get your partner, spouse, children, or parents started on the right foot—and you want to preserve your relationships and sanity :)

• You just want to go on an awesome all-inclusive yurt trip with a relaxed pace, learn professional tips and tricks on how to make touring more fun and use less energy, and meet some great new partners!

• Pricing includes professional guiding and coaching, three full days and two nights at beautiful Bell Lake Yurt, delicious meals, an avalanche awareness lesson, and plenty of turns! Just bring enthusiasm for mountain exploration and a smile—we’ll handle the rest.

• Very small group size (maximum 8 guests with two guides), means that you’ll receive personalized coaching and attention, and the best quality experience possible.

• This is an excellent precursor to taking more advenced avalanche education courses (Level 1).

“Is avalanche safety training required?”

No, this is a fully guided experience. You will learn about avalanche awareness and the fundamentals of avalanche rescue, but no prior training or experience is required.

“Do I need to be an expert skier/snowboarder?”

No, but you will encounter variable snow conditions, trees, and unmarked obstacles—that’s the backcountry! If you can confidently ski advanced-intermediate inbounds terrain, you’ll have a great time.

“I’m not an ultramarathoner—will I hold up the group?”

Definitely not. We’ve had guests as young as 13, and as old as 78 enjoy their trip to Bell Lake Yurt. With two guides, we also have the ability to split the group if folks are moving at slightly different paces—our only objective to make sure everyone is having a good time.

“There’s a lot of gear involved—do I have to buy everything?”

Definitely not. BSBG can rent you avalanche safety kits (transciever, shovel, probe), if you don’t yet have your own, and our local partner shops can set you up with rental touring gear and splitboard packages. If you have gear questions, don’t hesitate to call or email!

“How far is it the yurt?”

The skinning approach to our yurt is 2.6 miles and 1,600 feet, which usually takes around three hours. You will need to carry personal gear and a sleeping bag, your guides porter group food and supplies.

Our biggest priority is to ensure that everyone who attends has an excellent time—that’s what backcountry skiing and splitboarding is all about! To that end, we’ll be learning about and practicing all this and more while we shred:

• touring gear adjustments and usage

• gear care and basic maintenance

• energy-efficient skinning techniques and strategies

• advanced skinning: AVA turns, kickturns, breaking trail

• efficient transitions; from touring to skiing/riding, and back

• packing for success

• layering for all-day comfort

• pacing and self-care tricks

• avalanche awareness

• rescue basics

• Stupid Human Tricks (ie. downhill skinning, split-skiing, getting up from a fall in deep snow, etc.)