Hey everyone, Amelia K, Stephen R and I (Daniel G) will be running a 3-day backcountry ski trip this winter! We’ll be camping overnight in the snow and exploring Australia’s beautiful alpine areas on Alpine touring skis. We are super keen to get some backcountry experience back in the club!! This trip is being planned well in advance and will be run slightly different to other club trips so please read this post carefully!
Disclaimer:
This is an intermediate/advanced trip and will cost a bit more than regular trips (petrol, ski gear hire, any gear you need).You will need to have all the gear or be willing to buy, borrow or hire. This trip is also expected to be in very high demand and unfortunately we can only take 5 participants (plus 3 leaders). We’d love to get more backcountry trips going in the future so we can take more people!
What is backcountry skiing and alpine touring?
Backcountry skiing basically means skiing outside of a resort, meaning no chairlifts, groomed runs or crazy expensive lift fees! Alpine touring is a type of skiing that is typically done in the backcountry, where you attach skins to your skis that allow you to go uphill. You then take off the skins and lock your heel into the boot when ready to shred it down the slopes!
What are the logistics?
For this trip we plan to drive down as far as we can on Thursday night, camping by the side of the road near Cooma. We will then hire out our ski gear from Rhythm snowsports, you’ll have to pay for this yourself – $190 for 3 days (although we got a hefty uni club discount last year and I only paid $120). From there we’ll drive to Guthega and park our cars in the overnight parking, before setting off into the winter wonderland! Note that 2WD vehicles need snow chains, so we will aim to all be in AWD or 4WD vehicles.
Where are we actually going?
From Guthega we will ski up along the Snowy River to the Illawong swing bridge (pictured above), then we’ll cross and ski up towards Mt Anton. The exact plan will change based on conditions, but we’ll likely camp on the flat between Mt Anton and Little Twynam or near the saddle between Twynam and Little Twynam. This will be our camp for the two nights. We may even practice building and sleeping in snow caves!! On Saturday we will go out exploring and skiing! Some potential trips include Mount Sentinel, Tenison Woods Knoll and Blue Lake. On Sunday we’ll get in some last runs and then ski back down the way we came and drive back to Cooma then Sydney.
What do I need?
To come on this trip you need to have experience taking care of yourself while camping in the cold. It’s okay if you haven’t camped on snow before, but you need appropriate cold weather gear and to know how to use it. Please tell us about the coldest place you’ve camped in the signups below. Some skiing experience is also preferred. You will need to bring the following items:
- Warm sleeping bag, rated for at least -5 (-10 ideal)
- Warm sleeping mat, I’d recommend taking a second foam mat to place underneath
- 4-seasons tent (the club has 2x 2 person snow tents but priority will be given if you can source your own)
- Snow pegs (club has plenty)
- Helmet (ski helmets are great, but a beanie under a climbing one works too)
- Ski goggles or snow glasses (can be hired)
- Stove + cookware
- Food for 3 days
- Water
- Thermal top and bottoms
- Midlayer (e.g. fleece)
- Down jacket
- Gloves, neck warmer/buff
- Waterproof outer shell or ski jacket
- Waterproof pants/shell or ski pants
- Backpack/hiking pack to fit all the above (I suggest a pack liner too)
- Carry out toileting kit (e.g. Wag Bags & poo tube)
I’m super keen, sign me up!
In the signups please tell us the following: your experience camping in the cold, your skiing experience, if you have a snow tent, if you have a AWD or 4WD, and your favourite mountain 🙂 Please also include a link to your FB profile or phone number so we can get in contact. Also feel free to ask any questions you have.
See you out there!
Attendeeds
- Zara Smith
- Sarah Bartels
- Danielle Holmes
- Miranda May Jordan