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| Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding |
MAS offers a variety of backcountry ski and snowboard tours at some of the finest areas in California. Whether you are looking for an educational course, a one-day tour or snowcat excursion or a longer and more demanding adventure, MAS can provide "top-notch" backcountry experiences for both skiers and snowboarders. Backcountry Ski/Board Programs
Related Programs: |
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 Intro. to Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding |
| This one-day program is designed for alpine, telemark skiers and snowboarders waningt to learn how to ski and ride in the backcountry. Learn about backcountry gear, avalanche hazards, climbing techniques and how to find the best snow. Plus we get to ski and make turns along the way! Topics covered
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"I learned a ton of great stuff from my guide Steve. Plus today was some of the best turns of my life!" (Bruce Owens - 2011)
| Price: | $125 | |
| Location: | Bear Valley, CA | |
| Meeting Time & Place: | MAS Office @ 8 AM | |
| Prerequisites: | • Strong intermediate skiing
skills or higher |
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| Dates: | December 29, 2011 (cancelled) January 14, 2012 February 19, 2012 March 10, 2012 |
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Registration:  |
Online Registration or contact the MAS office | top  |
Bear
Valley Ski & Board Adventure  |
| Strong intermediate and advanced skiers and riders will enjoy this full day guided adventure of touring and turning in the scenic bowls and ridges of the Mokelumne Wilderness near Bear Valley. After a short pre-trip meeting we will carpool up to the Lake Alpine trailhead 3 miles away. A short hike gains the ridge of Poison Gulch and provides access to the numerous slopes and aspects of the Round Valley, Bee Gulch, and Underwood Canyon areas. The variety of terrain offers open bowls, steep chutes and exciting tree skiing for both strong intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Follow experienced MAS guides to find the best snow and bring home memories of wild views, sweet turns and big smiles. |  |
"Wow - I had no idea how much excellent terrain was out there. Your guide did an great job of getting us to the best slopes safely and efficiently. Now I just need a hottub and a cold frosty beverage." (Chis Dobbs - 2010)
| Price: | $125 | |
| Location: | Poison Canyon, Round Valley, Bee Gulch, Underwood Canyon and Mt. Reba areas outside the Lake Alpine Snow park 3 miles above Bear Valley, CA. | |
| Meeting Time & Place: | MAS Office @ 8 AM | |
| Prerequisites: | • Strong intermediate skiing
or riding skills |
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| Dates: | February 20, 2012 March 11, 2012 |
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| Registration: |
Online Registration or contact the MAS office | top |
| Mt.
Lassen Ski & Board Blitz |
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This two day fast paced adventure explores the backcountry skier's and rider's paradise of the Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park. Climb and descend the numerous bowls and ridges by day with light packs and retire for the evening to the comforts of a nearby hotel or campsite. The focus of this trip will be accessing the stunning descents throughout the park, including Mt. Lassen Peak (elevation 10,457 feet) as conditions permit. One scenario is that we climb and descend the southeast face of Mt. Lassen on day one, followed by an even better descent on the northeast face on day two with a car shuttle at the end of the day.
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| Price: | $275 | |
| Location: | Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA | |
| Length: | 2 days | |
| Meeting Place: | Southwest Area entrance on Highway 89. (map 1; map 2) | |
| Meeting Time: | 7:30 AM | |
| Prerequisites: | • Advanced skiing
and riding skills |
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| Dates: | May 12-13, 2012 (full) May 26-27, 2012 (new date) |
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| Registration: |
Online Registration or contact the MAS office | top |
| Eastside
Spring Corn Camp |
The Eastern High Sierra Nevada is world renowned for spectacular scenery and amazing descents for backcountry ski and snowboard enthusiasts. This aggressive three-day program ventures into the Sawtooth Range on the crest of the High Sierra, west of Twin Lakes and Bridgeport on historic Highway 395. All participants need to be advanced skiers and snowboarders comfortable descending slopes in all conditions. Efforts will be made to keep the packs light so that the group moves efficiently. Each day targets a different area so that participants will see a great variety of terrain and vistas. "Truly spectacular! I can't wait for next Spring! (Joe S. 2005) |
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| Price: | $425 (includes 2 backcountry dinners & breakfasts) | |
| Length: | 3 days & 2 nights | |
| Location: | Twin Lakes - Sawtooth Range, CA (Eastside Sierra Nevada) | |
| Meeting Time: | 8 AM | |
| Meeting Place: | The Cafe at Annetts Mono Village at Twin Lakes | |
| Prerequisites: | • Advanced skiing and riding skills |
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| Registration: |
Online Registration or contact the MAS office | top |
| About
MAS Backcountry Ski & Board |
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Strong intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders are welcome to enroll in MAS backcountry ski and snowboard programs. MAS considers participants who can confidently ski or ride any intermediate slope at a ski resort ready for backcountry programs. If you have any questions we recommend contacting the MAS office.
Each program has prerequisites to assist people in finding and preparing for the most appropriate program. If you have any questions, or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact the MAS office - we love to talk about our work!
Backcountry
skiers have
several equipment options to choose from, including telemark, randonee
and alpine trekkers.
• Telemark - a.k.a. "freeheel" or nordic downhill. The boot is only attached in the toe area with a cable or 3-pin design. Graceful to watch but difficult to master. Fortunately MAS offers a unique telemark ski school at the Bear Valley Mountain Resort which uses the ski lifts to maximize time spent descending to learn and perfect the telemark turn.
• Randonee - a French dictionary defines randonee as "a hike". In skiing this means alpine style skis (often shorter & wider) with a special binding and lighter more flexible boots that assist uphill striding. The binding releases in the heel and pivots at the toe for easy climbing, then the heel re-locks to the ski for the descents. This setup allows alpine skiers an easy transition into backcountry travel and is very popular in Europe.
• Alpine Trekkers - An alternative to dedicated randonee bindings. Trekkers click into regular downhill ski bindings, then the boots attach to the Trekkers. Your heels are now free for uphill striding. At the top, remove the Trekkers and climbing skins. You are then free to descend on your normal bindings and skis. (available for rent through MAS with advanced notice - $20/day)
Essential Backcountry Ski Items:
- All skis must have metal edges and be in good working order
- Bindings must properly fit ski boots
- Ski boots must properly fit your feet
- An pair of climbing skins that fit your skis (available for rent at MAS for $10/day)
- MAS provides avalanche beacons, probes and shovels on all programs
- A day pack to carry extra food, clothing and gear.
- Ski poles - extendable poles are nice.
Ski leashes or brakes are required for all resort skiing, including Sidecountry Ski & Snowboard Programs.
Backcountry
snowboarders typically use snowshoes
and collapsible ski poles for climbing with the snowboard attached
to their day pack. Switch from snowshoes to snowboard at
the top of a climb or high point, collapse the poles and secure
onto your pack. Another nice option is a "split board" that
is designed to split down the middle to
become two short skis with skins which mimic snowshoes.
Essential Backcountry Snowboard Items:
- Snowboard in good working condition and ability to attach onto pack
- Snowshoes (except split-boards) (snowshoes available for rent at MAS for $5/day)
- If using a "split-board" then properly fitted climbing skins that are in working condition are required
- MAS provides avalanche beacons, probes and shovels on all programs
- Day pack to carry extra food, clothing and gear
- Collapsible ski poles - climbing without them is a drag
