Backcountry Nordic Skiing Course
Backcountry Nordic Ski School (BNSS)
Learn the nuances of Nordic skiing in the backcountry! Experience Colorado’s finest snow, away from the crowds and lift tickets! Learn to cross-country ski and get prepared for backcountry trails using classic Nordic-style technique. (No AT or Tele gear allowed in this school.) We accommodate students from never-evers to folks who have skied for years. Classes are often less than ten students and a minimum of two instructors.
Contacts
- Wed, Dec 4, 2024 - Sun, Jan 26, 2025
- Committee: Denver
- Members: $170.00 Guests: $210.00
- Availability: 3 (45 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Welcome to the 2024-2025 Backcountry Nordic Ski School. This is a school for classic Nordic skiing, think kick and glide. You will need to complete the Application on the lower right before you register. The application lets us know your ski experience, fitness level, and class day you prefer. You can complete the application at any time, even before registration opens. After you complete the application and go to register, just check the box that says you’ve done the application.
The class consists of one information Zoom meeting in December and three field days in January. You should plan on attending your selected day for all three field trips. The classes will cover a progression from basic movements the first week, downhill and uphill techniques the second week, and a final day in the backcountry on trails for the third week.
There are no make-up classes, but we will do our best to get you in another class that week if you cannot make your scheduled day. The classes follow in succession, so you must learn the skills each week before you can add the skills the following week.
Our plan is to hold the field trip on the scheduled date, snow or shine unless the instructor deems it unfeasible for that day.
The director will assign you to a section based on the information in your application. You will be sent it before the Zoom meeting in December
Schedule:
Wednesday, Dec 11 - 6:30-8:30 pm Information Zoom (We’ll send out the Zoom address later)
We will review Ski Equipment, What to Wear, How to Pack your Pack, and an avalanche overview and give you a chance to meet your instructor and other students in your class.
Field Trips (one of the following only):
Saturday classes Jan: 4, 11 and 25
Sunday classes: Jan 5, 12 and 26
Wednesday classes: Jan 8, 15 and 22
Topics covered on the field days
- Proper skis/gear/clothing for the terrain and conditions you want to ski
- Better balance techniques
- Diagonal stride, including poling
- Downhill maneuvers (includes stopping, which is always good to know…)
- Turning maneuvers
- Climbing maneuvers – herringbone, side-step, side-step traverse, etc.
- Avalanche awareness
Contact the school director with questions: carol@edniehaus.com
Badges you will earn:
Basic Nordic Skiing Course
This course has no scheduled activities.
1st field trip: the school will rent your nordic skis, boots and poles suitable for track skiing at a cross country resort.
2nd and 3rd field trips: you must rent your own backcountry Nordic ski equipment. You want the wider, cross country skis with metal edges. REI refers to their backcountry nordic ski equipment as "Backcountry Cross-Country Ski Package. It comes with backcountry skis, poles and touring boots"
Ten Essentials
Winter Clothing
Daypack
