Learn to “Flow” with movement, judgment, and efficiency in the mountains…
Women Backcountry Flow is a two-day backcountry skiing and riding clinic designed for strong intermediate to advanced women seeking to move more confidently, efficiently, and thoughtfully through mountain terrain. The clinic focuses on refining decision-making, route finding, track-setting, and downhill line selection while deepening understanding of local weather patterns and avalanche phenomena.
Participants will develop practical mountain skills in a supportive, women-centered environment while earning a Managing Avalanche Terrain (MAT) diploma. The clinic emphasizes flow — the balance of movement, awareness, and judgment — and fosters meaningful connections with other women for future mountain adventures.
Laura Adams will be your guide/instructor on this new clinic. Laura is a seasoned ACMG Ski Guide with an incredible range a personal and professional backcountry experiences locally and abroad. To read more about Laura’s background, click here. This clinic is Nelson based and touring venues include Kootenay Pass and Whitewater backcountry.
Here are some expected clinic outcomes and takeaways:
- Increased confidence while traveling in more complex terrain
- More efficient uphill travel and transitions
- Improved group communication and leadership skills
- A refined personal decision-making framework
Teaching Style / Learning Environment:
- Supportive, collaborative learning environment
- Emphasis on discussion, reflection, and shared decision-making
- Encouragement of leadership and voice in group settings
- Space to build confidence, leadership, and technical skills
- Peer learning with like-minded people
- Strong emphasis on communication and shared goals
This clinic is for anyone who identifies as a woman
Daily Structure:
- Day 1: Movement efficiency, terrain management, weather and snowpack interpretation, route planning
- Day 2: Applying skills in more complex terrain, line selection, group decision-making, and execution
There will be a one hour Zoom meeting on Thursday Jan 29. 7to 8pm
Avalanche Skills Training level 1 (AST1) certificate is a prerequisite. Strong intermediate to advanced downhill skiing/ridding skills required. Intermediate touring skills with a minimum 2 years experience. Ideal for physically fit skiers and riders looking to elevate their backcountry skills and confidence. Contact us if you have any questions about your skill set.
All the ski touring venues in this section are located with-in an hour drive from Nelson. Depending on your preferences and the ski touring area you are interested-in, suitable accommodation can be found in Nelson, Rossland, Slocan, Kaslo & New Denver. See above for specific touring venues available in the region.
You will be meeting with your guide the evening before the trip starts, or morning of, for a final gear check. We will go over last minute changes (weather & avalanche conditions) and logistic for the following day(s). We will also sign a liability waiver.
Kootenay weather can vary drastically. In winter you expect temperatures to be from -15C to –5C in the day while in spring daily temperatures could rise well above zero. Visibility may be poor or whiteout conditions when snowing heavily or clear on bluebird days. Ensure you are dressed for all variations as temperatures, wind and precipitation can change within the day.
Included in the price:
- Pre-trip planning support
- Certified ACMG Mountain Guide, Ski Guide or Apprentice Ski Guide
- Group safety equipment (communication device, rescue kit, first aid supplies, GPS, maps)
Not included in price:
- Lunch, snacks
- GST 5% tax
- Personal ski touring boots, skis, skins or snow board set up
- personal avalanche safety equipment *SMG rentals available $50/day for complete set or beacon ($30), shovel ($15) & probe ($15)
- Transportation to touring location
- Lift fee if applicable, one way Whitewater fee is $42 (tax included)
- Additional charges due to changes in itinerary or ski location, guest must cover also additional guide costs (extra travel/accommodation/food expense)
- Trip cancellation and or trip interruption insurance. Medical, emergency rescue and evacuation insurance are also your responsibility
- Gratuities
Where can I rent Ski touring and safety equipment?
Summit Mountain Guides has a limited amount of winter safety equipment available for rental. Contact us for availability. Here are some outdoor stores Western Canada that supply good service, quality outdoor equipment and gear rental. Please ensure you rent gear well in advance.
Nelson:
ROAM phone 250-354-2056
Valhalla Pure Outfitters phone 250-354-1006
Gericks phone 250-354-4622
Sacred Ride phone 250-354-3831
Whitewater Resort Rentals (250) 354-4944
Rossland:
Red Mountain Resort Shop: (250) 362-7124
Powderhound Sports: (250) 362 5311
Revelstoke:
Revelstoke Powder Rentals: 1(866) 604-SNOW
Valhalla Pure Outfitters: (250) 837 5517
Golden:
Higher Ground Sports: (250) 344-7980
Lake Louise:
Calgary:
Mountain Equipment Coop
Outdoor Center (University of Calgary)
Kelowna:
Vancouver:
What transceiver should I use?
If you are interested in touring in the backcountry with friends or take one of our courses, it is very important to get a modern “triple antenna digital transceiver” with a marking function. We ask participants to ensure that they have a digital transceiver for the course.
For recreational skiers and boarders, we suggest the following beacons: Mammut-Baryvox “Element”, Ortovox “Zoom”, Peeps “Recon” or the Tracker “3” or “S”. For people moving towards working in the ski industry a more professional “more advanced” beacons is recommended, such as Mammut-Baryvox “Pulse or S”, Ortovox “3+“ or Peeps “guide”, etc.
Skis, Telemark or Split Boards?
Which should you use? If you are a downhill skier then you should use Alpine Touring gear. Only if you are already an advanced Telemark skier or Snowboarder should you bring Telemark or Split Board gear. All types of gear can be rented in Nelson prior to your day trip. There are three types of backcountry systems you can use:
Alpine Touring skis are essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then ‘locks down’ to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background of downhill skiing who is not already an advanced telemark skier.
Telemark skis. These should only be used for this program if you are at least an advanced-intermediate telemark skier with some backcountry experience. This system is more difficult and less forgiving than the others.
Snowboarding with a Split Board is the most effective way to snowboard in the back country. We recommend this system to advanced snowboarder over snowshoeing.
