In Canada, instead of using snowcats to create smooth pistes in resorts, they are often put to a much better use. That of transporting you and your friends to the top of an untouched powder field so you can enjoy slaying deep powder. Meanwhile the cat drives down to the bottom of your run ready to collect you. Repeat over and over until the end of the day and you get the idea of just how good skiing and snowboarding can be out in Whistler, British Columbia.

Cat Skiing & Snowboarding Alltracks Group

New for the 2011/12 season, a multi day cat skiing or snowboarding trip formed part of the 6 week backcountry & the 11 week combined instructor/off piste courses out in Whistler. It really is a great way to finish off the course and thankfully both groups were blessed with excellent powder conditions.

I was lucky enough to join one of the groups in March and spent 3 of my best days of the season enjoying their company and numerous chest deep runs everyday.

It is not just the skiing or riding that makes the trip like this so good. The fact that you are tucked away in the British Columbia wilderness really enhances the whole mountain experience and it is a real adventure. First of all we charter a bus to take us to the end of the road about 60 km north of Whistler. Then, after a briefing from the mountain guides, we got on the snowmobiles and drove another 50 or so kms to the Hurley Pass Lodge. The lodge is basic but with all the homely comforts that you need it the mountains – great food, lovely atmosphere and a cracking hot tub.

Rob, Ginny, Marten and Andrew at the Hurley Pass

We then spent 3 days of epic conditions exploring the massive terrain we had all to ourselves. We probably averaged around 12 runs a day and i dont think we had to cross another ski track once. Speacial thanks must go out to Chris and Matt, our mountain guides, who did a great job and also Oliver, the cat driver, and Trevor, the chef!!

Although it was sad to leave such a wonderful place, it was a lovely drive out in the sunset with an eagle flying above us surrounded by some of the most impressive alpine scenery in Canada – absolutely awe inspiring.

Can’t wait until next season!

If you want to combine an instructor or improver course with some real Canadian adventure, check out the following options:

11 Week Combined Instructor & Off Piste Ski or Snowboard Course

6 Week Off Piste Ski or Snowboard Course

ARC’TERYX
Arc’teryx make the most advanced outdoor clothing and equipment available. Perfect for protecting yourself against the elements so that you can enjoy the best sports on earth. Excellent materials & considered design make Arc’teryx number 1.

Check out www.arcteryx.com for further information

ROSSIGNOL
Rossignol is the Pure Mountain Company. Established since 1907 and has been producing some of the very best alpine equipment since then. Whether you want to race gates, spin in the park or charge the backcountry, Rossignol have skis & snowboards to do it all.

Check out the new 2011/12 line up at www.rossignol.com for more info.

If you require advice on the most suitable equipment for your Alltracks ski or snowboard course, give one of the team a call anytime.

In almost every lesson I teach I encourage students to explore their “range of motion”.   I ask them to see how far they can move up and down on the spot while staying in balance.  Most of them respond with disbelief when I explain the importance of this move.   “The realm of expert skiing will be unachievable”, I say, “without developing the ability to move freely in and out of this low balanced position – you will never become an expert skier without mastering this simple but unusual move.”  I say this because many students often fail to recognize the importance of  practicing exercises which they often consider beneath their ability level, or simply unnatural and silly.  The fact remains however; expert skiing will elude all who do not master the following fundamentals.

Move

Take a look at how the positions shown above are put into practice below.

Notice how the side-on picture of expert bump skiing resembles the stationary position shown in figure 1.2 above.  Both pictures show appropriate bending from the knees and hip in order to keep the shoulders over the knees.  Both pictures also show the hands well out front as the skier adopts a bent but balanced position.  When dealing with rapidly changing terrain such as bumps, an expert skier is comfortable moving quickly in and out of this position.

This is a prime example of how a very simple movement pattern can be applied in an expert situation.  This is the a major philosophy behind the Alltracks system and a method which has proven successful with countless academy members who have joined us for 11 weeks or less, and taken their skiing from recreational to expert.

Whistler benefitted from a spectacular 16 metres of snow last season and it’s great to see some of the powder! Enjoy the movie.

ALLTRACKS SKI & SNOWBOARD CAMP MOVIE

ALLTRACKS Ski & Snowboard Course Movie from Alltracks Academy on Vimeo.

Check out www.facebook.com/ALLTRACKS

Here’s one to get you started:

Morning in the Whistler Backcountry. Thanks David!

Chilling outside the Hut

The fresh powder combined with the depth hoar in the snowpack did make traveling uphill challenging, especially for the snowboarders), but the guys did a great job to keep at it for 3 full days and the reward was fresh tracks on every run.

Ski Touring in the Vanoise

For some more great shots of the backcountry ski tour, check out our gallery at:

http://www.alltracksacademy.com/useful_info/gallery/201011-photos/

Enjoying the Whistler backcountry

The Alltracks backcountry weekend took place over Saturday and Sunday for the 11 week course members and conditions could not have been more perfect. The weekend stayed cold and the skies cleared for some beautiful bluebird conditions. The guys hiked up above Flute Bowl on Whistler mountain and dropped down into Oboe Bowl. The Alltracks course members built snow caves and then toured around the ‘musical bumps’ for the remainder of the day. After touring and a hot meal the guys turned in for the night in their self built dwellings. The hardcore of the bunch toured for the rest of the day on Sunday while the others who were perhaps missing the warmth of their beds toured home after breakfast.

We are forecast more snow over next weekend and into next week. This season just keeps getting better and better. Thank you La Nina!

Cheers, Nick

Mike, Evan, Ben, Tom & Paul above the Borsat

The avalanche training has moved up a notch to include “multiple burial” situations and Henry’s training continues to be challenging, interesting and the group are feeling more and more knowledgable about the backcountry. We’re looking forward to the Hut Tour next week and the forecast snow! Now start snowing!

Avalanche Skills Training

By Monday the word had spread and more people from across the Espace Killy were heading over to our stash. With that in mind, we headed out touring beyond the Col Pers.

Powder Turns down from Col Pers

In the valley down from Col Pers, you get a couple of nice pitches and as we had our touring equipment, we were able to descend further into the valley than the other group who were in the areas giving us more fresh turns.

Henry of Henry's Avalanche Talk and one of our off piste ski instrctors, leading the group to the goods

We had our lunch and a rest near the valley bottom, before touring up onto the ridge for a ski back to La Fornet. A very, very good day!

Mike loving the Powder

At the start of the week, we practiced a number of compression tests and slope angle measurements with Henry as well as doing a nice variation in the Chardonnet area above Tignes, where the snow remains surprisingly good.

Jake doing a compression test

The skiers and snowboarders went touring together to the Col des Fours today. The route follows a fairly gentle tour from the Col d l’Iseran, before getting a little more exciting on the traverse just leading up to the Col itself. The route down brought some mixed conditions and Evan was particularly delighted when Mike ate it half way down. We stopped for for lunch outside the Refuge des Fours before entering the ski area by the Manchet chair.

Evan about to set off to the Col des Fours, Val d'Isere