Want to take your snowboarding to the backcountry?
We can help you get startedWe want to take you into the backcountry and help you experience the wonders of untracked powder on a splitboard.
Come learn the fundamentals with one of our guides and start your journey into the mountains and Backcountry powder shredding.
We recognize how important it is to teach splitboarders the basics and set them up for success in their future backcountry endeavours.
Start Splitboarding With Us!
Is it really that much better out of bounds?
Learning how to splitboard seems simple enough but once you start looking into everything involved it can feel overwhelming. Your friends aren’t always willing to be your instructors!
We at AAA understand the importance of a strong foundation and having a good time. We really believe in providing a safe and fun learning experience where you can get coached on all the equipment, techniques, guide tricks and some of the basic avalanche skills.
We really want you to walk away stoked and excited for your next backcountry experience.
Course Details
Expect a Logistics package after paying for your tour including meeting place, guide info and policies.
Here is an example of where we will meet.
We will meet the morning of your tour at either:
- La Baguette in Revelstoke
- Jitas Cafe Golden
- Laggans Cafe Lake Louise
We will do waivers, look over equipment and talk about the day. We usually use the ski lift to access sidecountry terrain the first day so as to spend more time in the alpine and make skiing more accessible.
You need to be an Intermediate to Advanced in bounds snowboarder before taking it to the Backcountry. There are always a variety of conditions and terrain in any Backcountry day and we must be strong enough to travel and snowboard through.
There is no minimum fitness level as we want to make it fun and can accommodate the elite athlete to the weekend warrior fresh from a desk job.
We always try to make it as easy as possible for beginners to maximize fun and learning and minimize stress.
Standard Backcountry Equipment List
Essential Items
- BackPack 25-30L *
- Transceiver *
- Probe *
- Shovel *
- Lunch/Snacks Water/Small Thermos
- Sunglasses
- Goggles
Splitboarding Set-up or Snow Shoes
- Touring Bindings
- Poles (adjustable)
- Snowboard Boots
- Skins
Apparel
- Light Weight Base Layer Top and Bottoms
- Mid Layer top ( soft shell preferable, wind breaker, vest, fleece, or flannel)
- Warm Puffy Jacket (down or synthetic insulation) Warm Gloves for riding/Thin gloves for touring Warm Hat
- Ski/snowboard socks
- Gore-Tex Pants
- Gore-Tex Jacket
* If you don’t have any of these things and need rentals, please try one of these partner shops:
- Golden: https://highergroundsports.ca
- Revelstoke: https://www.revelstokepowderrentals.com
- Lake Louise: https://www.wmsll.com
The mountains in winter can be pleasant and comfortable or harsh and inhospitable and everything in between. We generally do our intro days close to resorts with amenities or in Backcountry locations with easy access in and out to make it easier. We require everyone to show up with appropriate gear and clothing though as conditions can change fast and its important to stay warm and prepared.
Conditions can range from -15°C to plus 2°C, Sunny and clear to snowing hard and low light. Locations can be in open alpine to tree skiing weather dependent.
We will meet the morning of at a local cafe to go over equipment, talk about conditions and sign waivers.
From there we will drive to our predetermined location. Field Topics training and coaching will include:
- Avalanche training workshop
- Gear familiarity and proper set-up
- Efficiency and Techniques to Touring
- Basic Hazard and Terrain Recognition
- Safe Travel Techniques
- Down Hill Movement in the Backcountry
Return to vehicles for mid afternoon.
Not Included
- Lunch
- Lift Tickets for Resort Access (if required)
- Beacon, Probe and Shovel
- Touring gear, skins and poles
Course Details
| Prerequisites | Dates | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|
| None | TBD | Beginner |
