Back Country Skills Day

Description

An overview of the topics

Uphill Technique

• Gear Setup:
  • Proper skin attachment and fit
  • Boot and binding settings for touring
• Body Positioning:
  • Balanced, upright stance
  • Weight transfer and efficient glide
• Track Setting:
  • Choosing safe and sustainable ascent lines
  • Ideal skin track angle (~12–15° slope)
• Kick Turns:
  • Step-by-step: stable pole plant, ski swing, weight shift
  • Practicing in tight or steep terrain
• Use of Risers:
  • When and how to use climbing risers for steep slopes
• Transitioning:
  • Switching from uphill to downhill mode efficiently

Descending Technique

• Assess Conditions:
  • Snow surface, terrain hazards, slope angle, avalanche risk

• Skiing Techniques:
  • Short-radius turns for control
  • Use of pole plants
  • When and what turn to use for  powder, crust, windboard, and variable snow

• Route Choice:
  • Choosing safe lines with escape options
  • Avoiding terrain traps

• Group Management:
  • Leapfrogging, regrouping in safe zones

Self-Arrest Technique

Learn to stop yourself in a fall using an ice axe or ski pole.

• When Self-Arrest is Needed:
  • Icy slopes, steeps, exposed areas

• Tools for Arrest:
  • Ice axe (preferred), ski poles (secondary/limited use)

• Body Positioning:
  • Chest down, weight over the tool
  • Head uphill, legs spread, knees bent to dig in

• Arrest Techniques:
  • From prone, back, head-first, and rolling to arrest
  • Digging in the pick of the axe and using body weight to stop

Crampon Technique

Putting on Crampons

• Strap or step-in crampons securely to your boots (must be compatible).

• Make sure all points are aligned and tight, with no wobble.

• Double-check fit before moving.

• How to move with crampons

Footwork

• Flat Footing (French Technique)

  • For moderate slopes (up to ~40°).

  • Keep your entire sole on the snow/ice, feet slightly apart.

  • Walk flat-footed to engage all points for traction.

• Front Pointing (German Technique)

  • For steep terrain (ice or snow >45°).

  • Kick front points (toes) into the surface.

  • Keep heels low for balance.

• Hybrid (American Technique)

  • Use front points on one foot and flat-foot on the other.

  • Useful for mixed terrain and transitions.

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