Guided Backcountry Snowboarding or Skiing in Lassen, Memorial Day Weekend

 

Get out of the resorts and snowboard or ski in the backcountry at Lassen National Park! If you are competent skiing or boarding on ungroomed intermediate to advanced slopes in a resort you can go skiing or snowboarding in the backcountry! Some backcountry experience is recommended and knowledge of backcountry gear is required for this trip.

 

Our professional backcountry guides will assess the safety and lead you up peaks with untracked snow and back down. This weekend is two full days of professionally guided backcountry snowboarding (or skiing), with three nights in our Lassen Cabin.

 

If you're excited to get into the backcountry, and don't have all the gear you need, you can rent backcountry splitboards from us as well as all the avalanche gear you need for the weekend. Even though you've been in the backcountry before, we can help you improve your skinning and edging on the uphills, and help you sharpen your avy skills, too.

 

Each day of backcountry riding, we'll focus on getting deeper into the backcountry and getting in as many sweet turns as possible! At the end of the day, it's back to the house, to town for dinner, and then we get ready to do it all over again the next day.

 

We love backcountry snowboarding at Lassen National Park. Lassen typically has snow that is colder, drier and deeper than Tahoe, and has a lot of good, uncrowded, intermediate and advanced terrain. The Lassen backcountry is also less crowded than most Tahoe backcountry destinations.

 

You don't need to be an extreme rider to make great turns in the backcountry but you should have some backcountry experience for this trip. It definitely takes some effort to get to the top of the hills, but once you're there you'll be rewarded with open bowls and tree runs with no crowds, and few, if any tracks. The experienced backcountry ski/snowboard guides of the OAC will share their knowledge of all aspects of backcountry skiing and boarding during this great weekend.

 

Your guide for this weekend is not only an experienced backcountry rider and guide, but he also holds a Level III avalanche certificate and is an avalanche educator, recognized by AIARE. He will show you how we read an avalanche bulletin, make observations in the field and test an area for potential avalanche hazards. Avalanche beacons and equipment are required for this trip. If you don't have your own gear, you can rent the avy gear from the Outdoor Adventure Club, or local outdoor stores.

 

Trip logistics:

 

Friday night:

We will be meeting and staying in a house in the small town of Mineral, just outside of Lassen National Park. On Friday night we'll check to make sure everyone has the necessary gear, and discuss our experience and skill levels. We'll help everyone determine what gear to pack for the day, and what can be left behind.

 

Saturday:
We ride and ski! We'll have breakfast at the house, then it's off to the snow. We'll start the day with a quick refresher on avalanche rescue, and have everyone practice using their beacons. Then we'll set out to make turns. Along the way we'll give you tips to help your uphill skiing. We'll ski and ride all day and then head into town for dinner (not included) on Saturday night. After dinner it's back to our cabin and good night's sleep in a warm bed!

 

Sunday:
We'll get up early, have breakfast, and head out for another great day making turns in the Lassen backcountry. We'll pick destinations for these days based on the conditions and the level of the group. We'll ride all day and then head out for another dinner in town (not included).

 

Monday: We have breakfast in the house then head home. Or you have the option to add a third day of guided backcountry snowboarding/skiiing for an additional $75. If you want to add a third day, please contact us.

 

Getting around in the backcountry:
You have several choices in the backcountry. You can use a split snowboard, randonnee skis, telemark skis, or snowshoe in and carry your boards. The best snowboard option is definitely a split board. We have several split boards available to rent if you need. Any questions you may have about these different ways of getting around can be answered by giving us a call (415-377-1195) or by sending us an e-mail at info@outdooradventureclub.com.