These are big days & demand adequate skills, fitness & endurance. The descents & ascents are steep & long! You will be taken by the grandeur of the steep & exposed breathtaking terrain of the Main Range. This is ski mountaineering country where it’s too steep for climbing skins & you will ascend with skis on pack. Guide to client ratio is 1:3, avalanche equipment will be supplied. Helmets are necessary!

Pleae see MORE DETAIL below

Guiding Topics

• Avalanche gear familiarisation

• Route Selection

• Steep skiing

• Technical skinning

• Steep transitions

• Climbing styles

• Crampon / Ice axe use

• Descent strategies

• Exposure & confidence

• Snow Stability 

 

Intended Location

• Western Faces: backside of Mt Twynam

• Depending on group’s capabilities i.e. skills, fitness , endurance other Western Facing destinations are possible

• Blue Lk as contingency

 

Rating: Tough

Only for experienced participants with advanced skiing skills & a high level of fitness. Steep climbs & descents with long distances will be encountered with ski tours totalling approximately 15 – 20km & ascents up to 1500 vertical meters.

 

Duration: 9hrs approx, distances include descents which is generally half the total distance

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Meeting Place

• Start: Guthega SMBC HQ 6:30a.m.

  • Brief

  • Equip familiarisation

  • Route overview

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Experience Required

• Previous backcountry experience essential

• Be a strong off piste skier

• Big days, a high level of fitness & endurance is required

• You must be comfortable on steeper exposed slopes

 

Group Size

• 1:3 guide to client ratio

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Included

• Backpack

• Crampons & Ice Axe

• Avalanche gear: beacon, probe, shovel

• Guiding & Instruction

 

Needs

• See ”EQUIP LIST" below

• Helmets are necessary

• Alpine Touring skis, climbing skins

       & adjustable poles​ for hire

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More Detail

This is an arduous ski tour only for those with previous ski touring experience & a high level of fitness. The terrain encountered is very confronting consistently steep slopes with a lot of exposure. We need to be assured that you are suitable for this demanding tour, ideally you should have previously undertaken our Main Range Tour. If not we will discuss your capabilities prior to the tour, a referee is ideal.  You must be well rested & prepared for the day.

Note

• Helmets are required for this tour, we suggest a lightweight Ski Touring style helmet

• Parking for this trip will be at Guthega as we don't make the last lifts back for Perisher return.

• Participants must be at Guthega SMBC HQ at 7:00a.m. for briefing, tour will commence at 7:30a.m. sharp!

• Guide to client ratio is 1:3max. Smaller numbers are okay but a minimum charge applies.

• This tour is not suited to standard downhill boots, you will require alpine touring boots or a boot with a generous walk mode.