Everything Backcountry

OFF PISTE SKI / SNOWBOARDERS TO BENEFIT FROM ON SNOW AVALANCHE AWARENESS TRAINING AS ‘EVERYTHING BACKCOUNTRY’ SLIDES INTO SNOW FACTOR

As increasing numbers of skiers and snowboarders venture ‘off-piste’ on mountains in Scotland and overseas, at Snow Factor Braehead on Saturday 25 October enthusiasts will have the chance to gain an invaluable insight to the skills and equipment necessary to enjoy a ‘backcountry’ adventure in safety.

Billed ‘Everything Backcountry’ by Prestwick based organisers, Snow Rehab (www.snowrehab.com) the fresh snow covered slopes of Scotland’s only indoor real snow destination will be an appropriate setting for an action-packed day of hands-on workshops and seminars to include:

• Avalanche Awareness Training
• Backcountry Skills Coaching
• Equipment Demos
• Seminars with Industry Professionals
• Ski Touring Tutorial
• Split Board Tutorial

In addition to imparting sound advice to enthusiasts planning an off-piste adventure this winter, budding instructors will have the chance to hear how Angus McLean-Wilson successfully gained the skills to become a qualified ski guide in Canada

Gordon Hodge from Snow Rehab, commented: “Backcountry safety is a topic close to our hearts here at Snow Rehab. Our overall goal is to inspire and educate the young and old, new and experienced, to safely go beyond the rope and into the backcountry! With the best brands in the industry and the most experienced mountain guides we’re confident the day (at Snow Factor) will provide the perfect platform to kick start your adventure into the backcountry!”

Jamie Smith, owner of Snow Factor International, added: “Though Scotland’s mountains have yet to receive the first significant snowfalls of the season, Snow Factor provides perfect snow conditions year-round to learn and practice skills before venturing into the mountains.

“So it’s terrific to host Snow Rehab and its ‘Everything Backcountry’ event on 25 October when budding off-piste skiers and snowboarders can enjoy learning and honing backcountry skills with industry experts and take the chance to try some of the latest kit on the market. It promises to be a really fun and informative day.”

The ‘Everything Backcountry’ event by Snow Rehab at Snow Factor starts at 10am on Saturday 25 October. Please note that seminars are FREE to attend. A lift pass must be purchased for the on-slope activities.

According to Scottish Mountain Rescue, the charity and representative of civilian voluntary teams in Scotland, its latest figures (2012) show that in that year its members attended over 543 incidents in Scotland’s mountains which involved around 30,000 volunteer hours. In 2012 there were over 240 reports of injuries and tragically 25 mountaineering related fatalities.