5 of this winter’s best backcountry courses
Iran. Norway. St Anton. These backcountry courses offer everything from intro weekends to once-in-a-lifetime trips
Warning! The current issue of Fall-Line is going to leave you craving the powder-covered lines of the backcountry hard. Very hard. But fear not, as we’ve very kindly tracked down five brilliant courses, backcountry trips and adventures to feed your addiction. Backcountry newbie? Work on your technique with top-notch intro courses. Already know your kick turns from your haarscheisen? Make 2017 the year you finally tick off that dream trip…
Jotunheimen Haute Route, Norway
When? 25-31 March 2017
What? New from Mountain Tracks, this is a five-day hut-to-hut ski tour through Norway’s highest mountains. Expect to climb between 1400m and 2000m each day (panic not; the sun doesn’t set until very late in spring!). The reward for your hard work? Fun and challenging descents, pristine conditions and luxurious huts serving up three-course meals.
How much? £2095, not including flights to Oslo.
Feed your craving for the wilds with a Chamonix backcountry course | Tom ConeyBackcountry Adventures, France
When? 23-27 January or 6-10 March 2017
What? BASI Level 4 instructors and IFMGA mountain guides team up to let budding backcountry skiers experience the epic terrain of the Mont Blanc massif. Based in Chamonix, the first two days will concentrate on steep skiing technique. The second half of the week is all about backcountry skills like kick turns, rope work and avalanche assessment.
How much? €650, course only.
Ski Iran
When? 15-28 March 2017
What? An epic adventure from Jagged Globe, taking in the mountains of western Iran, an area rarely visited by Westerners. After getting acclimatised in the Sahand mountains (a volcanic range that, you’ll be pleased to hear, is now dormant), you’ll have the opportunity to ski Mt Sabalan, Iran’s third highest peak (4825m), which is only known to have been skied once before.
How much? €4320, including flights from the UK.
Iceland Ski Tour
When? 29 April-5 May 2017
What? Drag out winter as long as possible with a late-spring trip to Iceland through Glenmore Lodge. This trip takes in the Troll Peninsula, a wild region where the mountains jut out straight from the sea. The average day will involve around 1200m-1500m of vertical gain and long descents down fjords, powder-covered faces and sheltered bowls.
How much? £2250, not including flights.
Perfect your off-piste ski skills with Snoworks|SnoworksBackcountry St Anton, Austria
When? 12 March 2017
What? Snoworks use a combination of experienced instructors and qualified mountain guides. The instructors work on your
off-piste skills and technique. Then it’s up to the qualified mountain guides to show you around the backcountry playground that is the Arlberg. You might want to go easy on the table dancing…
How much? £495, course only. Flights and accommodation from £850.