SKI & LEARN…
Struggling to learn the basics? Not having fun? Not feeling confident in your skills?
Let our ACMG certified guides show you how!
These courses are designed to share our years of experience and knowledge to help you build up your skills and gain confidence when you travel in the mountains. Take the time to learn from the pros, and you will be moving through the terrain safely, with confidence and having fun on your skis.
Backcountry Ski Courses we offer…
- Womens Only Skills Day
- Backcountry Ski Course
- Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue Course
- Intro Navigation
- Mountain Weather
- Other Ski Courses
Womens Backcountry Skills Day
Hyland Backcountry & Claire Challen have teamed up in the past to to provide a 1 day backcountry ski skills clinic. Claire is part of the Rossignol Women International Ambassador Team, an ACA-CSC Performance Level III Coach & CSIA Level III Instructor.
Students will be broken into 2 groups for a morning & afternoon session with each instructor learning:
- 1:4 Instructor Ratio
- On/Off piste Downhill ski technique, tips & coaching
- Backcountry tracksetting, navigation, equipment, routefinding, & avalanche coaching.
* Students should be strong Intermediate skiers to benefit from Downhill coaching sessions.
Date: Please contact me if you have a group interested
Group Size: Custom
Pricing: TBD
Intro to Backcountry Skills Training
If you are new to the backcountry, or still struggling with your gear and techniques, then this is the course for you. We will pass on our years of knowledge and experience to assist your skill development.
This 2 day course will teach new students
- Equipment Selection & Application
- Trip Planning
- Navigation
- Tracksetting & Trailbreaking
- Routefinding & Terrain
- Avalanche Basics
- Backcountry Preparedness
Dates: Please contact me if you are interested
Group Size: Minimum 4 / Maximum 6 Students ( Private courses are available also)
Price: $350.00 + GST
REGISTER here »Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue
Glacier skiing is a unique experience. Either as part of a day trip or a long ski traverse. There are many hazards in the glacier environment that skiers must be aware of – the consequences can be deadly. This course uses a mix of indoor classroom for ropework, as well as field travel for application of techniques. There is the option of a heli assist trip for the field day on a local glacier for additional cost. CONTACT US to book a custom group course » 
This 2 day course teaches students:
- Basic Glaciology
- Equipment Selection & Application
- Self Rescue
- Hauling Systems
- Roped Travel
- and much more
Dates: Spring 2023
Group Size: Minimum 4 Students / Maximum 8
Price: $350.00 + GST
REGISTER here »Intro to Navigation
This one day introductory course will allow you to start gaining confidence in your backcountry navigation.
This 1 day course will teach students
- Learn to read a topographical map
- Learn to use a compass & altimeter
- Make a route plan
- GPS with phones
- Digital Imagery
Dates: TBD
Group Size: Minimum 4 / Maximum 8 Students
Price: $175.00 + GST
Mountain Weather & Forecasting for the Bulkley Valley
This evening webinar will focus on some basic to intermediate weather instruction with a focus on local conditions and online weather products for forecasting
This evening course is taught by Uwe Gramman. Uwe is based in Smithers, and is a meteorologist with RWDI Consulting Engineers & Scientists. Uwe has a wealth of knowledge and is an incredible instructor. He has taught courses for the Cananadian Avalanche Association and has developed forecasting products used throughout the ski and avalanche industry.You wont be disappointed!
Course Content
- Basic weather skills, with a focus on local influences
- Reading a weather map
- Understanding a Meteogram (Spot WX)
- Online products
- Relating weather to the Avalanche Hazard
Date: TBD
Time: 1800 – 2100 Zoom Webinar
Cost:
Register : info@hylandbackcountry.ca
Over the years, we have offered professional instruction in some of the following areas to assist upcoming backcountry skiers
- Ski Mountaineering
- Mountain Weather
- Snow Profiles & Tests
- Map, GPS, & Navigation
- Winter Shelters & Emergency Medical Evacuations
- Mentorship for Professional level training
Courses 2022 - 2023
December
AST 1 : Nov 29 - Dec 3: FULL
Dec 21: FULL
Jan 13-14: FULL
AST 2: Feb 9-13 SPACE
Feb 28 - Mar 30 SPACE
Guided Trips
Day Trips : Contact Me
Burnie Glacier Chalet
Jan 27 - Feb 3 SPACE
The Galleon
This spring classic goes deep into the Babine Mountains Park. Conditions dependent, if conditions allow, we ski one of the classic couloirs visible from town.Trip participants must be very fit, and able to travel a long day of @ 30km & 1800m ascent.
Dates: Various dates available through March & April
Smithers, BC
The 7000
The complex alpine tour starts from the ski area, through Big Simpsons Gulch, and down the Kathlyn Face. Participants must be strong and fit skiers. Early starts are required for this tour. This trip is very condition and weather dependent.
Dates: Various dates available through March & April. Please contact me.
Smithers, BC
Contact me about this trip/ dates...
Rocher Deboule Range Spring Traverse
We will fly into the rugged Rocher Deboule Range and ski for 3-4 days. Participants will need to provide their own winter camping equipment, and should have previous experience with spring ski camping. We will ski out to the highway at the end of the trip.
Dates: Various dates through April are available.
Smithers, BC
Spring Basecamp
There are a variety of options available to us near Smithers or travel to the big mountains near Stewart, BC. If you have a group that is interested in this type of trip, please give me a call to discuss some options.
Dates: Various dates through April are available.
Smithers, BC
Spring Helicopter Assisted Trips
On occasion, with good weather, we can utilize an aircraft to fly us into a remote, seldom visited area for a day of skiing. The longer, brighter days of spring make this an awesome day in the mountains, and can allow us to access some incredibly rugged, and excellent ski venues - and no slog out at the end of the day.
Dates: Various dates through April are available.
Smithers, BC