As Tour Coordinator, it is my responsibility to make sure that there is a good match between your abilities and the skills required to safely and enjoyably ski these tours. Thus I have to walk the tightrope between scaring off perfectly able skiers, and allowing folks to join us who end up excessively delaying the rest of the group. Our intention is to ski as a group, perhaps spread out at times but still in relative contact in case there is a problem. We have as many problems from people who ski too fast and get lost as we do from folks who are too slow. If you are looking for a five hour continuous aerobic workout, this Tour isn't for you, but check out the CTA Tours page for other events. If all you've ever skied is a few hours on a groomed trail, this Tour is probably not for you either, but the CTA Tours page also has some introductory tours.
Please read the CTA's skills and Fitness Guidelines.
For the sections you want to ski, please read the section descriptions in these pdfs of descriptions and maps. Please compare the section descriptions to your ability and experience, then send me (sam@bart-tech.com) any questions you might have.
We may have over twenty skiers on some days of this tour.
Groups this large and of possibly varying abilities present some difficulties in trip logistics. To help make these tours enjoyable (that is the point, right?) for everyone, here are my thoughts on balancing the speedy skiers and the more leisurely skiers.
These trips are tours, not races. On the other hand, they are skiing tours, the group needs to cover the miles (or kilometers, but there are usually more of them) to get back to our cars. Some days will have a "bail out" option (even if you are not a banker or automobile manufacturer) but they are for unplanned emergencies. On the longer days we may have a sub group that only skis part way, let me know if that is of interest to you. Feel free to stop for rest breaks along the way, eat before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty, enjoy the animal tracks and the scenery. But keep an eye on the sun, it sets early in these steep, deep valleys.
One major benefit of the CTA tours is the car shuttle, allowing you to ski a whole section in a day and still get back to your car at the end. But you have to help out to make these work. Be prepared to drive folks to the start in the morning, or to drive folks back to their cars at the starting point in the afternoon. This is part of the give and take of a group trip, and might involve waiting around for leisurely skiers in the afternoon.
The fast skiers can help move things along by offering to do things like car shuttles, which might take up additional time in the morning, so that their speed can be used to the group's advantage. Speedy skiers should also be prepared, at times, to stand around and wait for the more leisurely skiers, or ski back to meet those bringing up the rear, or break out a parallel track. If you need to finish early for some other commitment, please don't join the tour that day. Please expect to be skiing all day. Although we often finish by three o'clock or so, there is no guarantee of that.
Suggestions for the more leisurely skiers: to make your skiing time more pleasurable and less pressured, please have your gear ready in the morning and get to the trailhead with the earlier group (if applicable). If you wax, try to have your skis already waxed. Try to arrange your gear so that when you need to remove a layer as you warm up, it doesn't become a 15 minute project. If you think you might be one of the more leisurely skiers in the group, please let me or the day's trip leader know so that we can arrange car shuttles accordingly. You won't be left behind, each trip will have a sweeper to keep track of everyone.
If you have questions, please ask me. This is an intermediate/advanced backcountry tour. You need to be able to ski at least 12 miles, and ski for at least six hours, and, I hope, still be smiling at the end!
If you still have questions about your ability, if you can ski like the folks in this video (any of them!, maybe you are one of them?), you are all set.
If we are unsure of your abilities, I might sign you up with the understanding that you will be asked to leave the Tour prior to some point which I feel will be beyond your ability. In any event, I have the right (which I hope not to use!) to ask people who are over their heads in terms of ability or fitness, to leave the tour.
Please do some skiing before the trip to get your legs and feet in shape!