Backcountry Riding Clinics, with Justin Cowett

Included

About

3-Day Breakdown

Day 1 – Keep it simple, on snow classroom style. 

• Greeting, safety, equipment, and route talk.
• Develop guests’ expectations and curriculum to meet guest needs.
• Backcountry snowmobiling basics, sled setup, proper body position, throttle and brake control, sidehill technique, and “wrong foot forward” technique.

Day 2 – Real-world scenarios.

• Day 1 techniques moved into more technical terrain.
• Focus on online choices and having alternate plans, look up, look ahead.
• Energize and instill confidence in riders.

Day 3 – We Ride!!!

• Ride terrain that will push the clients out of their comfort zone and require them to use the skills they’ve acquired.
• Have fun and ride all day!!!
• Riders and guides walk away from experiences changed and fulfilled.

What to Bring

• Please watch this video to learn more about what to bring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbY0ctGyOWA
  
  
• A government-issued ID
  
  
• Bring your own balaclava
  
  
• Gear: If you don't own snowmobile gear we have you covered. We rent snowmobile gear that will keep you warm and dry. Please select that as well in the checkout process. You'll want to have a helmet, goggles, coat/bibs or one-piece suit, gloves and snowmobile boots. We recommend bringing an extra pair of goggles and gloves just in case.
  
  
• Avalanche Safety Gear: If you do not have your own, we offer a fully equipped Ortovox Ava Bag for rent. An avalanche transceiver is required to be on every participant and will be provided to each guest. We highly suggest taking a class to learn more about avalanche safety.
  
  
• Food and water for the day. We will be on the mountain the entire time. We do have packs available for you to store your items in if you don't have anything. We can provide lunch upon request, full menu available. 

What type of clinic is right for you:

Novice Backcountry Riding Clinics:

 A novice rider has experience riding a snowmobile, whether it be on or off-trail. However, they lack the skills and confidence to choose wise lines, confidently sidehill, and use proper throttle or braking. Oftentimes this rider struggles navigating in deep snow and lacks the confidence to stray far from meadows or trails. Additionally, novice riders have little or no avalanche education. Our Novice Backcountry Ride Clinic will bring your riding to the next level, instilling technique, confidence and leaving you with the regiment needed to progress in more advanced terrain. 

Novice riders will focus on, but not be limited to:

• Backcountry snowmobiling basics
• What and how to pack/bring
• Why take an Avalanche Course
• Tips and tricks 
• Sled set up
• Body position 
• Exercising your mental and physical stamina
• Throttle and brake control
• Backcountry terrain navigation
• General maintenance
• Self-reliance when stuck

Intermediate Backcountry Riding Clinics:

 An intermediate rider has experience riding off-trail and is comfortable navigating meadows, open pitches and low angle trees however do not have the confidence in steeper deeper terrain. They understand mountain riding techniques such as side-hilling, proper body positioning, and throttle/brake control, but lack the ability to consistently display these techniques in more advanced terrain. Intermediate riders often have the skills to get themselves into more advanced terrain yet find themselves unable to confidently apply the proper techniques when pushed out of their comfort zone and end up off-line, or stuck. Additionally, an intermediate rider has some avalanche knowledge and has practiced using their own equipment. This level of rider sits on the cusp of breaking through to their true potential in advanced terrain using less energy and enjoying longer, more fun-filled days. These breakthroughs can be achieved with proper coaching, technique modification, and skill implementation drills all in one fun-filled Intermediate Backcountry Riding Clinic. 

Intermediate riders will focus on but not be limited to:

• Side hilling and finding your sleds balance point
• Line choice
• Confidence and awareness
• Flat, downhill, and uphill turns
• Hill climbing and controlled descents
• Advanced terrain navigation

Advanced Backcountry Riding Clinics:

 Advanced riders have developed proper techniques, that when coupled with confidence allow them to navigate most backcountry mountain terrain. They are looking to develop specific technical skills such as hop-overs, bow ties, jumps, and drops. They possess the ability to confidently select their line while identifying and avoiding riding hazards. This level of rider is comfortable in steep, deep mountain terrain and is looking to hone their skills to be the rider that everyone on the mountain wants to be. Our Advanced Backcountry Riding Clinic will provide you with the proper coaching, skill development, and terrain that will push your level of riding to obtain goals beyond your expectations.  We recommend private clinics for advanced riders to allow us to access terrain suited to your unique ability level. 

Advanced riders will focus on:

• Hop-over and bowtie maneuvers in technical terrain
• Jumps and drops
• Advanced riding techniques in steep terrain
• Backcountry muff pot cuisine

Pricing:

• $1500-BYOS (Bring your own sled)
• $2325-With sled rental ( 2022 Polaris mountain sled: Polaris Khaos Slash or Pro RMK Slash (we have 155 and 165 track lengths available)

Private Clinics Available- call for pricing

Meals:

Lunch will be included for each ride day.

Our Local BBQ menu will be provided upon booking.

Guides Ratio: 

1:3 guide to guest ratio

Lodging:

Not Included.

Recommended lodging available upon request.

Clinic Schedule:

 (9:00am - 4:00pm daily)

Novice:

January 28 - 30, 2022

Intermediate:

February 25 - 27, 2022

Advanced:

*Call for private clinic.

3 full days (16-18 hours)

• Day 1 - 3 hour meet, basics, expectations, following 4 hours on snow 
• Day 2 - 6 hours
• Day 3 – 6 hours
  

Location

We will ride out from a trailhead within 45 minutes of downtown Park City. Your guide will reach out 48 hours before your tour to establish our meeting location. Our riding locations vary per season, day of the week, rider skill and Avy conditions.