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Backcountry front and centre at WSSF

World Backcountry Freeride Jam geared to beginners, progression

For most people the backcountry is a vast and often misunderstood place. It can also be dangerous without the right training and equipment, and even then it’s never completely safe.

But with the lure of fresh powder, of peace and quiet, and breathtaking views it’s also a place most people would like to visit now and then.

That’s why organizers of the first World Backcountry Freeride Jam, which is taking place this weekend at the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, have included several events for entry and intermediate level backcountry skiers and snowboarders.

North Face Backcountry Village and Demo Days – April 21-23

The area outside of the Roundhouse Lodge will turn into a backcountry expo with many of the leading backcountry gear companies showcasing gear and giving people a chance to demo some of that gear themselves. The Backcountry Village is also the staging area for free clinics offered and WBFJ events.

Scarpa Telemark Clinics – April 21-23

Scarpa, which manufactures Telemark boots, will be offering free telemark clinics and tours throughout the WBFJ, departing the Village at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Randonee Tours – April 21-23

Escape Route and the Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau is offering daily Randonnee Tours, equipping guests with all the gear and a guide and giving people an opportunity to experience the backcountry.

"Just show up at the Backcountry Village and we’ll outfit you with everything, boots, skis, skins, transceiver, probes and shovels," said James Retty of Escape Route. "What we want to do is de-mystify touring in the backcountry for people."

The tours leave at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily.

Prior Backcountry Snowboard Clinics – April 21-23

Whistler’s Prior Snowboards makes some of the best split boards anywhere, with clients custom ordering their products from around the world. At the WBFJ Prior will demonstrate how split boards work over a short tour, putting them together for riding and taking the boards apart for climbing. Clinics depart daily at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Ortovox Avalanche Awareness Clinics and Tours – April 21-23

Ortovox are a leading manufacturer of avalanche transceivers, and are offering people an opportunity to learn how to use a transceiver in the field. Even expert backcountry users will learn ways to improve their beacon search techniques.

Clinics leave at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Ozone Kiteboarding and Kiteskiing Clinics – April 21-23

Escape Route and Ozone are hosting a series of clinics on kiteboarding and kiteskiing, which is a new trend for backcountry users. Backcountry users can use the kites to get around, even heading uphill, or just as another way to enjoy the powder.

"People in Saskatchewan will dig this, for example, anywhere there’s a lot of flat, wasted snow," said Retty, who is one of about 15 local kiteskiers and borders in Whistler these days. "It’s so fun it’s become something I do instead of skiing, I head out to places like Flute especially to kiteski.

"In the mountains it’s another tool for ski touring. If you get to the bottom of a long glacier you can kite up to the top, and it’s a blast, almost as fun as coming down."

The principles are similar to kite boarding on the ocean, although the kite is a lot lighter and is more fragile.

For the WBFJ people can try two metre training kites, and more enthusiastic people will be able to try out some larger kites out in the Burnt Stew area of Whistler – not big enough to get airborne, like some kites, but large enough to get going uphill.

Clinics are at 9:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. and you can sign up at the Escape Route tent in the Backcountry Village.

Marmot Snow Theatre – April 21-23

Organizers of the WBFJ have put together a list of backcountry-themed slideshows from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Programs include:

• Marmot Shishapangma Fall 2005 Expedition – a look at hidden regions of Tibet.

• Battle Abbey – Photos taken from the Battle Abbey alpine hut in the Selkirk Mountains outside of Golden, B.C.

• Canadian Avalanche Association – A showcase of photography from the Best of Marmot Annual CAA Photo Contest.

• Callaghan Country Backcountry Lodge – Located downroad from Whistler, the Callaghan area offers some of the best backcountry in the province.

• Brad White – Ski photographer and ACMG Guide Brad White will showcase some of his photography.

The North Face Whistler Dash – April 22

The Dash is an inbounds Randonee Race with both uphill and downhill sections. The race will take one to two hours, depending on conditions and fitness. You can register at the Backcountry Village, and the cost is $40 to take part. Discounted lift tickets will also be available for participants and the North Face Store in Whistler.

A detailed schedule and course description is available at www.wbfj.com/tnf_dash.htm

The North Face Spearhead Passage – April 22

This is a hard-core long distance touring race in the Spearhead Traverse, covering 26 kilometres with 2,150 metres of elevation gain from start to finish. Registration wrapped up on April 10. For more information, visit www.wbfj.com/tnf_spearhead.htm

WBFJ Party – April 21

Backcountry legend, author and photographer Chic Scott will be on hand to open the World Backcountry Freeride Jam at Dusty’s. Events include a presentation on Backcountry and Severe Skiing in Canada, and a performance by Sweaty Cheddar. There is a $5 minimum donation at the door, which includes a beer, as well as other fundraising activities and games with gear donated by WBJF sponsors. All of the proceeds from the event will go towards the Alpine Club of Canada’s backcountry hut program, and making the backcountry more accessible. The ACC is celebrating its 100 th anniversary this year.

"A lot of parks in B.C. are threatened by for-profit operators that want to build huts, fly people in and out, that kind of thing," said Retty. "We have nothing against huts like this, but not in the parks."

Escape Route is hoping to raise $12,000 to fix up the Jim Haberl Hut in the Tantalus Range, and is entertaining the idea of raising money to build a new hut. Ideas include a new hut in the Spearhead Range, or possibly a hut between Vancouver and Whistler.

Wild Images & Radical Reels – April 22

A collection of top mountain sports films produced by the Banff Festival of Mountain Films. Selections include BASE jumping, skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking. The evening will include a silent auction with over $9,000 in gear, as well as an image display featuring some of Whistler’s top photographers – Paul Morrison, Eric Berger and Yorrick Carroux. The evening starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Tickets are available at The North Face Store, Escape Route or at the door.