Winter Programs 2025

  • Avalanche Skills Training - Level 1

    January 4th - 5th 2025

    Join our CAA Certified Avalanche Instructors and learn your basic avalanche safety skills so you can start adventuring beyond the resort. The in-class portion of this course will be offered online, followed by one day of instruction in bounds and a second day in the backcountry with a certified ACMG Ski Guide, where you will learn backcountry touring basics.

  • Ski Skills

    February 21st 2025

    We’re excited to partner with Girls Do Ski to offer a one-day coaching program to set you up for backcountry riding. Led by GDS founder and coach Leah Evans, the aim of this event is to offer you a toolkit to take your skiing to the next level. This event will be open to everyone!

  • QTBIPOC Backcountry Camp

    February 22nd - 23rd 2025

    A two day course for 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC ski and splitboard participants that will cover backcountry skills including avalanche rescue skills, uphill route planning and backcountry riding. The aim of this course is to reduce barriers for marginalized community groups and create a safe space for folks to grow their backcountry skills and gain further experience and mentorship with support from our ACMG certified ski guides and tail guides.

Our programs are subsidized financially thanks to the support of local and municipal funding and partners.

We offer priority spaces in our programs to the Revelstoke community and folks who identify as queer, trans, Black, Indigenous a person of colour or intersectional.

However, we encourage everyone to apply to our programs as we believe that only together we can create inclusive mountain culture.

Made possible thanks to the support of:

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1

January 4th - 5th 2025

We will be offering a custom AST 1 course this January in Revelstoke, BC that will be taught by a certified CAA instructor and ACMG ski guide. No prior backcountry experience is required. Registration is open until December 29th.

The course will offer:

  • AST 1 online classroom curriculum that will be made available prior to the field days in Revelstoke.

  • January 4th - Field day with CAA instructor Janet Wong, in which all AST 1 curriculum will be covered.

  • January 5th - Field day with CAA instructor Janet Wong and ACMG Ski Guide Florina Beglinger. This day will cover intro to backcountry skiing and snowboarding, including how to use equipment, plan your day and consolidating skills learned as a part of your AST 1 curriculum.

Equipment loans available free of charge:

  • Backcountry skis, boots and poles, skiing or split-boarding;

  • Avalanche Rescue Equipment - transceiver, shovel and probe;

  • Avalanche backpack, outerwear and helmets.

Participant Requirements:

  • Available to attend both field days January 4th and 5th;

  • Intermediate + ski or snowboard skills, including experience riding off groomed trails;

  • Capacity to complete online classroom portion of the course (4 -6 hour required);

  • Priority will be given to folks who identify as QTBIPOC, 16-25 years of age and based in Revelstoke.

Course Fees:

  • $75.00 per person;

  • This includes online course and 2 field days;

  • At least one of the 2 days will be taking place at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, if you do not have a lift pass, RMR has generously donated 50% off lift passes for this course.

  • A generosity policy is available, this will be included in the registration.

Made possible thanks to the support of:

Ski Skills

February 21st 2025

We’re excited to partner with Girls Do Ski to offer a one-day coaching program to set you up for backcountry riding.

Led by Girls Do Ski founder and coach Leah Evans, the aim of this event is to offer you a toolkit to take your skiing to the next level.

Event Details:

  • Open to all genders, from intermediate groomer riders to advance skiers.

  • There are 8 spots available and we plan to have two coaches to focus on different ability levels. Note: this is not a beginner program.

Registration is closed for this event.

Made possible thanks to the support of:

QTBIPOC Backcountry Camp

February 22nd - 23rd 2025

Registration Closed

Open Mountains is offering a 2- day backcountry camp focused on expanding on backcountry skills for QTBIPOC skiers and boarders. Our first day will be covering a range of backcountry skills based on group goals. On day two, we will split into two groups with one focusing on broadening backcountry skills and decision-making, and the other focusing on social connection. The program is flexible to ensure we are providing education that empowers all participants.

This camp is suitable for folks who:

  • Are comfortable riding off-piste and powder (intermediate+);

  • Have some experience with backcountry travel;

  • Have completed a minimum certification of an Avalanche Skills Training (AST) 1;

  • Are 16 years or older.

The course will offer:

  • Avalanche partner rescue refresher;

  • Safe travel practices (including up tracks and ski lines);

  • Backcountry decision making and trip planning.

Equipment loans available free of charge:

  • Backcountry skis, boots and poles, skiing or split-boarding;

  • Avalanche Rescue Equipment - transceiver, shovel and probe;

  • Avalanche backpack, outerwear and helmets.

Participant Requirements:

  • Available to attend both field days February 22nd and 23rd;

  • Intermediate + ski or snowboard skills, including experience riding off groomed trails;

  • Allies are encouraged to apply but preference will be given to 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC community members. Priority will also be given to those who reside in Revelstoke but all community members.