Epic Ascents: Advanced Ski Mountaineering Mastery 1-day
The "Epic Ascents" course lives up to its name as it leads you on a journey of exploration, skill mastery, and mountain conquest with skis as your trusty companions.
Conquer Mountains, Carve Slopes
This course is your gateway to the thrilling realm of ski mountaineering—a discipline that combines the art of backcountry skiing with the challenges of ascending summits. In addition to discovering pristine ski runs, you'll focus on the techniques and knowledge required for mountain travel, ensuring that the summits become attainable goals.
Course Highlights
Mastering Mountain Tools: Delve into the use of crampons and ice axes, essential for navigating and ascending ski terrain. Learn how to travel confidently on both steep slopes and icy surfaces.
Seamless Transitions: Uncover the secrets of transitioning from foot travel to skiing in steep, challenging terrain. Gain expertise in crafting ledges and constructing stable platforms in the snow—a critical skill for safe travel.
Rope Mastery: Elevate your knowledge with essential rope work techniques, including rappelling into steep ski terrain and creating secure anchors in the snow with skis or boards.
Avalanche Awareness: Sharpen your ability to recognize avalanche terrain and navigate it safely. Your newfound skills will empower you to make informed decisions in high-risk environments.
Winter Survival: Discover the art of staying comfortable and safe during harsh winter conditions in the mountains. Learn to adapt, thrive, and revel in the stunning but challenging winter landscape.
Summits Awaits
This course is an expedition into the heart of the White Mountains, with Mount Washington and other Presidential Range peaks as our potential playgrounds. You may find yourself conquering iconic locations like Tuckerman Ravine, Gulf of Slides, Huntington Ravine, or Ammonoosuc Ravine. Alternatively, the course may lead you to the captivating steep gullies and open terrain of Crawford Notch.
Gear Notes
Technical gear such as crampons, ice axes, harnesses, and ropes will be used for this course. Synnott Mountain Guides will provide ropes and other protection/anchor equipment, but participants are encouraged to bring their own crampons, ice axes, and harnesses (w/ a belay device and a couple of locking carabiners). Please let us know when registering if you don't have and need this equipment.
Ability Level
Participants looking to take this course should have previous backcountry skiing/snowboarding experience and feel comfortable making controlled turns on steep and/or gladed terrain in variable conditions. You should feel comfortable being outside in the mountains for 6-8 hours with enough physical ability to travel uphill with a pack for 4+ miles (with enough energy leftover for downhill travel and possibly checking out multiple locations).
Avalanche Safety Equipment
This course may travel in or approach avalanche terrain, and avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, probe, shovel) is required for participation. Ready to take your backcountry skiing to the next level? Crampons, Harnesses, Ropes, Axes… The potential of different terrains is endless. It’s just knowing how to access it. Is your heart pumping yet?
Prerequisites
Advanced resort skier/rider, very comfortable on black diamonds in varying conditions. Minimum of one or two seasons of backcountry experience. Experience with an avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel.