Ski Mountaineering

Ski Mountaineering Application Form

Important Dates for 2010 Mazamas Ski Mountaineering

October 19th 2009 - Start taking Applications
Tuesday January 5th, 2010 - Application Deadline
Tuesday January 12th, 2010 - First Lecture
Wednesday January 13th, 2010 – Gear presentation – The Mountain Shop
Sunday January 17th, 2010 - Mandatory Ski Skills Evaluation, Mt. Hood Meadows. You will need to provide your own a lift ticket for this event.

General Info

The Mazamas Ski Mountaineering Program is designed to teach you the skills, attitude and awareness necessary to safely enjoy the many backcountry ski opportunities that exist in the Cascades and elsewhere. Ski mountaineering in the Northwest can span the spectrum from multi-day traverses to skiing off the summits of local volcanoes to just basking in the sunshine on the South Side of Hood in July. Each tour has its special joys and dangers.

Our goal is to help you make a safe and confident transition from skiing groomed slopes at resorts to touring the off-piste environment among mountains. The focus of this course is on the skills necessary to ascend/descend non-technical intermediate level ski mountaineering climbs in the Northwest (i.e., St. Helens, Snow Dome on Mt. Hood). The format of the class includes a series of lectures and field sessions that cover gear, travel techniques on backcountry skis (and snowboards), self-arrest techniques, emergency shelters, avalanche awareness (analysis, safe travel, and rescue), route finding, navigation, general mountaineering techniques, weather, trip planning. This course does NOT cover roped travel, crevasse rescue or advanced skiing/snowboard skills.

We recommend that applicants to the program have advanced or intermediate downhill ski and snowboard skills or better. The course is open to randonee (alpine touring) and telemark skiers as well as snowboarders.We strongly recommend getting and reading the following books for the class (best if read before the class):
“Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain” by Bruce Tremper
“Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering (Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series)” by Martin Volken, Scott Schell, and Margaret Wheeler

We also enjoy the book:

“Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book, Revised and Even Better!”
“Traveling & Camping Skills for a Winter Environment” (Falcon Guides) by Allen O’Bannon and Mike Clelland”

All these books are available for under $15 through Amazon.com.

A compass is needed for the class. We recommend getting a compass with adjustable declination, inclinometer (measure slope angle), and a mirror.

We hope that you can join us in this program!

Cost and Registration

Mazamas Members, $130; Non-Members, $180. Class fees must be paid by Tuesday January 5th, 2010 via the on-line form.

Canelation fee is $20 till Sunday December 20st 2009, $50 from December 21st 2009 till January 5th 2010. After January 5th 2010 there will be NO refunds. Students are responsible for ski rentals and other mountaineering gear (beacons and shovels will be provided). Age: Must be 18 years or older by the day of the first lecture.

Program capacity is limited to 30 students, so apply early to ensure a spot. Last year we had 50 applicants to give you an idea. Don’t wait till the last minute. All students must attend the first introductory lecture on Tueasday Jan 12th to obtain information about clothing, equipment and course content. All lectures, starting promptly at 7:00 pm, are at the Mazama Mountaineering Center at 527 SE 43rd Avenue, Portland OR 97215, 503-227-2345.

Questions? Please contact the lead coordinator via email: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Ski Mountaineering Trips

There are usually 8-10 ski mountaineering trips planned each year by the Mazamas Climbing Committee, from April - October. These trips are listed in the climb schedule, which is published every April. Contact the Mazamas office for a copy of the current climb schedule, or see it here on this web site.

General Equipment List

Clothing, food, water, ten essentials, etc. appropriate for an all day ski mountaineering tour.
METAL-EDGED mountaineering skis, preferably single-cambered, with sturdy bindings that fit your boots OR split snowboard and skins for uphill travel.
Stiff telemark or randonee boots.
Poles, preferably adjustable.
Climbing skins. You must have good quality climbing skins that adhere well to your skis/board. Please be familiar with how to put them on BEFORE arriving on a field session. Avoid, if possible, the strap-on variety of skins (skins with out glue).
Pack capable of carrying your skis or board.
Large ensolite pad.
Ice axe (if you have one).
Shovel and beacon (if you have them, or we can supply if you don’t).
Compass with adjustable declination; altimeter if you have one.

Lecture and Field Session Schedule

- Lectures, except for Clothing andEquipment, at the Mazamas Mountaineering Center, 527 SE 43rd (at Stark), 7:00 pm
- Clothing and Equipment Lecture will be presented at the Mountain Shop, SE 7th and Broadway – from 7-9 pm.

Tues, Jan 12th, 2010 - Lecture
Introduction to classes and course objectives, gear basics, NW weather lecture
mountain_weather_lecture.pdf

Wed, Jan 13th, 2010 - Lecture
Clothing and equipment Come see the newest gear, clothing and utilities at the Mountain Shop, 628 NE Broadway, Portland. Be there by 7 pm.

Sun, Jan 17th, 2010 - Field
Ski Skills Evaluation, Mt. Hood Meadows, 9:00 am. Ski with instructors and determine skill grouping for tours. This session is required for all students. Students must purchase own lift ticket.

Tues, Jan 19th, 2010 - Lecture
Navigation. Please bring your compass with adjustable declination and expect to get involved in exercises.

Sat, Jan 23rd, 2010 - Field
Mt Tabor navigation course. Be there by 9 AM, this should only take a couple of hours to complete. After we will visit a local watering hole.

Tues, Jan 26th, 2010 - lecture
Winter camping/survival skills, emergency shelters, general mountaineering skills, 10 essentials, fitness for touring.

Sat, Jan 30th, 2010 - Lecture and Field
Avalanche Lecture and Beacon practice, 8:00am - 4:30pm, at the Mazama Mountaineering Center. Lecture covering the avalanche awareness, avoidance, rescue and beacon use. Lunch, noon - 12:30, then beacon lecture and practice session in Gabriel park from 1:00 to 4:30 pm. Bring sack lunch.
beacon_lecture.pdf

Sun, Jan 31st, 2010 - Field
Avalanche field session, 8:00 am Location: Mt hood area, exact location TBA in the Saturday avalanche lecture.
Skiing in potential avalanche terrain, techniques for evaluating snowpack, safe routefinding, beacon practice in the snow, and mock rescue practices. Avalanche beacons and shovels provided.

Sat, Feb 6th, 2010 - Field
Basic Field Session; Mount Hood, 8:00 am. Outdoor experience with uphill travel, snow shelters, snowpack analysis, and navigation.

Tues, Feb 9th, 2010 - Lecture
Trip planning. Learn how to plan a Ski Mountaineering trip. We will be planning the route for Tour 1.
Sat, Feb 13th, 2010 - Field - Tour 1
Introductory Tour, Mount Hood; Meet at Tour location 8 AM, Location TBA. Emphasize navigation practice, uphill travel, ski techniques and gear, and basics day topics.

Tues, Feb 16th, 2010 - Lecture
Trip Planning for Tour 2.

Sat, Feb 20th, 2010 - Field-Tour 2
Ski Mountaineering Day Tour; Meet at Tour location at 8 AM, location TBA. Navigation in the backcountry, Reinforce avalanche skills and trip planning, lots of skiing.

Tues,Feb 23rd, 2010 - Lecture
Overview of Mazamas Ski Mountaineering climbs planned this season and how to get on them. The class will conclude with the famous “places to ski in the northwest” slide show. After class we will be heading out to a local watering hole to celebrate the conclusion of the class.

Sat and/or Sun March 13 and/or 14, 2010 - Field-Tour 3
Ski Mountaineering Tour; time and location TBA. Avalanche awareness practice (evaluation and rescue) and even more skiing. May include overnight or long/strenuous tour.

USDA Special Use Permit Information and Non-Discrimination Statement

Mazamas Education Programs operate under a special use permit with the Mt. Hood National Forest.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, the Mazamas is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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