The Alpine Finishing School is a 7-day all-women’s backcountry skiing/splitboarding course designed to help women become more self-sufficient in big mountain terrain. Combining ski mountaineering technique with terrain management and risk analysis, this course is an ideal way to take ski touring to the next level.
The course will run two sessions in 2017: April 15-22 and April 22-29. Registration is here.
Guide Kate Devine makes her way towards Primrose Peak on the Primrose icefield, April 2016. Photo: Jen Fredsall
We are excited to announce that SheJumps is partnering with Arc’teryx for the 6th annual Alpine Finishing School. Arc’teryx is the premiere outerwear and soft-goods company for technical pursuits in the outdoors and they emobody the passion, technical instruction, and spirit that the Alpine Finishing School cultivates in all participants.
Founded in 2012 by Anne Keller and Claire Smallwood, the AFS takes place at the Selkirk Backcountry Lodge. Just outside of Revelstoke, the lodge sits high in the Selkirk mountains just off of Roger’s Pass. British Columbia is the perfect venue for participants to experience life in the high country amidst massive glaciers, with ski touring options for days.
“Expansive” doesn’t begin to describe the terrain near the Selkirk Lodge.
The course is led by ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) ski guide Kate Devine. Kate grew up at the Selkirk Lodge. Her mother, Grania Devine, is the owner and main caretaker of the lodge.
Designed as a course to help women reach new goals in backcountry skiing—from specific objectives to general savviness—the overall goal is to become more self-aware in the mountains and be an asset to your team. The same goes for daily lodge life. As guests of the lodge, we ask participants to be respectful and supportive of each other; to offer encouragement and a positive attitude. These things go a long way when we are all pushing ourselves.
2014 AFS Graduate Michelle Brazier practices her crevasse rescue. Michelle used her AFS education to ski first descents on Baffin Island.
Breakfast will be around 7 a.m. every day. After breakfast every morning there will be a sandwich station where lunch is made individually. Some days we will be hustling to get out and go skiing—other days we will do coursework first and then go out into the snow to practice what we have learned in the afternoon. Either way, every day we will go outside and get some skiing in. See the FAQ’s on the Eventbrite registration page for more details.
The view from oustide of the cozy lodge in the evening.
After skiing we do our best to have a nice Après Ski session, but in general, we have dinner around 7 every night and give people plenty of time to rest up.
Fine Print:
A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your space. We will need a minimum number of 9 participants for each week, so please be aware that if your week doesn’t fill up, your deposit will be refunded.
Upon submitting your $500 deposit, you will be asked a series of questions pertaining to your skiing/splitboarding abilities and experience in the backcountry. You will also be required to provide a couple of references; these should be people with whom you have spent time in the backcountry. We strive to ensure our course maintains a similar skill level for participants. First-time backcountry skiers should not apply for this course. You should have at least two prior seasons of backcountry skiing/splitboarding in order to get the most out of this course.
Session 1 Guides: Kate Devine & Shannon Werner Session 2 Guides: Kate Devine & Diny Harrison
The TOTAL cost of the course is $2300 USD. You will receive instructions on final payment and payment plans upon acceptance of your application. The application is in conjunction with your deposit (paid here through Eventbrite). This price includes heli transportation to and from the lodge, all meals, guiding, course instruction, and lodging.
Gratuity for the guides/caretakers is not included, please budget accordingly; it’s greatly appreciated.
