Discover Backcountry

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DiSCOVER BACKCOUNTRY a taste of skiing and riding beyond the lifts

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The backcountry is a mindset, not a location. Whether you’re lapping the cable car on an epic storm day, using the lift to dive into the side-country, or working through a long day tour, you need apparel, equipment and snow safety tools you can trust.

Photo: Ortovox, Stubai, Hansi Heckmair

Cover Photo: Arc’teryx, Pemberton BC

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DISCOVER BACKCOUNTRY

CONTENTS 04. Haggis and Harscheisen: Scottish Backcountry 06. Choose your Weapon: Frame, Pin or Hybrid 08. Is it Safe Out There?: Avalanche Awareness 10. The Essential Three: Transceiver, Shovel & Probe 12. Lofoten: Norway’s Backcountry Playground 16. Let’s Split: Backcountry Snowboarding 18. The Best Day Tours in the Alps 20. The Art of Float: Backcountry Powder Skis 22. Earn Your Turns: Training in the Backcountry Thanks to Ortovox, Arc’teryx and Black Diamond for the use of their inspirational backcountry photography.

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HAGGIS & HARSCHEISEN: SCOTLAND’S BACKCOUNTRY SCENE We recently had a chat with Blair Aitken about last winter’s epic Scottish snow. Much has been written about Scottish skiing’s unpredictable snow record but those in the know, those prepared to hike for their lines have always found adventure in the Scottish mountains. Last winter though was pretty exceptional and snow blanketed the peaks for many months. With the conditions returning to that of the classic Scottish winter, adventurous skiers got the chance to put tracks down many of their bucket list peaks. Along with his Facebook group British Backcountry, Blair is leading the way inspiring others to explore the rugged Highlands with just their own two legs.

Blair Aitken: Dave Anderson & Gavin Curruthers preparing to drop into Central Gully in Coire an t-Sneachda

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DISCOVER BACKCOUNTRY Blair Aitken skiing powder on the Ben Lawers Range

When I left the French Alps to return to Scotland many of my fellow instructors mocked me. “You’ll be back” they said. I wasn’t so sure. I had been ski touring in Scotland every spring and knew there was enough to keep my favourite pastime going at least. One thing I hadn’t envisaged was just how many other people shared my passion. Social media has turned a spotlight on British backcountry skiing and my feeds now contain more updates from the Highlands than they do from the French Alps.

Never one to miss an opportunity I decided to see if I could get my old job back again, without having to return to the Alps and face everyone saying, “I told you so!”

In the summer of 2017 I started advertising Ski Touring skills courses initially at Midlothian Artificial Ski Centre. The idea was to introduce people to the sport as easily as possible, without the commitment of an expensive trip abroad, or the risk of unpredictable conditions in the Highlands. The centre was perfect. We practiced kick turns and line choice on the nursery slope, used the lecture facility for theory and did transceiver searches in the bracken. Then came the finale - a mass ascent of the tow slope complete with transition under the top chairlift station and decent of the main slope.

The Autumn came and thoughts turned to winter. An early snowfall had promised great things on the British Isles and some opportunistic ski tours were made. Lancashire even briefly topped the UK powder skiing charts. My 10,000 members strong Facebook group came back to life and I started taking bookings for winter work. The early snow vanished but the bookings kept coming and soon all my courses were full. I have never wished for snow as much as I did in December, mainly for fear of having to refund everyone! When it did come, the snow did not disappoint.

The 2017/18 season has seen a return to (dare I say it) 2010 conditions. Cold dry powder snow has been skied, on occasion waist deep, and full descents to Loch level have been made. Even more bizarrely, that rare blue-sky weather window that normally presents itself on a Tuesday when you and I are at work, has been making an appearance at weekends!

These conditions have made running courses in Scotland a dream. All but one of my days out with clients have been in forgiving snow, under blue skies. I find myself saying, “Usually in Scotland this is a problem, but today…”. Of course on that one bad day three people got blown

over and we were forced to retreat back to lower ground for a skills day, rather than complete our journey. A stark reminder of what Scottish ski touring can be like! Saturday the 20th of January was one of those rare days when the window fell on a weekend. The snow level was also low, so low in fact that even Edinburgh was white. For the regular Scottish skier this means two things: I need to get to the hill, and I’m going to spend a lot of time in queues! True to tradition, Scotland’s mountain roads were jammed solid and its resorts were turned into one long and very orderly queue.

Meanwhile on Ben Lawers something truly remarkable was happening. 1,000 metres vertical of powder snow had collected on South-East facing slopes and it was possible to skin the full height of Ben Lawers or Ben Ghlass, then ski all the way back down to Loch Tay from either. Under blue skies and with zero wind I should add. I had to keep reminding myself that the town below me was in fact Killin and not Val d’Isere. “Is it always like this?” asked one of my clients. “Eh, no, not always,” I admitted.

I still work occasional peak weeks in Avoriaz. The mountains are full of cold dry powder snow that is ridiculously easy to access, thanks to one of the most over-developed lift systems in the world. The strange thing is that as excited as I am about skiing when I’m out there, I’m still checking the conditions back in Scotland. They’re not as good, but the hills are still white and there is the promise of what is to come. I value my days out in the Highlands as much as a good day in the Alps.

Like snow itself, ski touring descents are fleeting moments that stay with you. The more preparation and work you put into those moments, the more powerful and memorable they are. I’ve skied some terrific lines in the Alps after short lift served hikes. I know they were good, I’ve got the pictures! But I don’t remember them as well as some of my big Scottish ski tours or dramatic Highland gully descents. There is something special about taking part in our wonderful sport on home turf. And if you’re not convinced, come on one of my ski touring courses and I’ll do my best to show you!’

Contact Blair Aitken about guiding at www.british-backcountry.com and follow British Backcountry on Facebook

speak to an expert 0800 035 6483 www.ellis-brigham.com

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CHOOSE YOUR

WEAPON

Frame, pin or maybe something else? Backcountry skiing means decisions on system in the chase for lightness, ease of use and power. There’ll always be compromises but the latest equipment minimises these.

Frame systems use a bar or rails to join the toe to the heel. The skier remains clipped into the heel and toe of the binding in a similar way to an alpine model when skiing or ascending. Choose frame bindings for ease of use and because they’ll suit the majority of boots. Lighter models are available for skiers more focused on the ascent, stronger models will weigh more and are geared towards the descent. Release functions work like alpine bindings. Compatible boots need to comply with tour or alpine norms.

Pin or tech systems use two pins at the toe of the binding, which are inserted in to two compatible holes at the front of the boot. These secure the boot when skiing with the heel locked in too. When the heel is released during ascents, the pins act as pivots. Pin bindings are lighter though may seem unfamiliar if a skier is used to alpine models. The weight saving can be considerable and the stride action will feel more natural and fluid. Unlike frame bindings release force settings will generally not conform to strict DIN ISO standards, and methods of release vary depending on models. Compatible boots need to have inserts built in to accept the pin system, they can be alpine or tour norm. Occasionally the very lightest boots might fall out of both boot norms, these models will only work with pin bindings.

Hybrid or Pin Cert bindings have recently captured a lot of interest. These are models using pin inserts at the toe component of the binding, but with heel pieces that are much more like an alpine model. The design fuses lightweight with more control and a natural stride, the best of both worlds from pin and frame bindings. Compatible boots need pin inserts and to also meet alpine or tour norms.

Taking this further is the brand-new Shift from Salomon and Atomic. This binding acts exactly like an alpine model on the descent with the full release and retention of a performance model, and marries it to a pin system for ascending. Downhill power and uphill freedom. Compatible boots need pin inserts and to also meet alpine or tour norms.

For more in-depth information speak to one of the EB team about the various options and compatibility.

Photo: Ortovox, Stubai, Hansi Heckmair

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DISCOVER BACKCOUNTRY

FRAME SYSTEM Scarpa Gea RS2 £530 The Gea RS2 has achieved legendary status among tourers thanks to its lightness and uphill comfort along with firmness and control for the downhill. Packed with clever features it’s a robust and proven performer (men’s version is Maestrale RS2). *Weight: 1260g Marker Tour F12 EPF £300 This easy-to-use frame binding perfectly mixes touring ability with proven robustness and excellent downhill control. The hollow axle heel focuses energy directly to the rear of the boot for optimum skiing performance; the wide EPF platform drives power to the edges. *Weight: 1102g *stated weights are for half pairs

PIN SYSTEM Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour £585 The power and rigidity of a pure-bred alpine boot, blended with maximum freedom of movement, flexibility and comfort on the climb. The dilemma of whether a boot is geared for the uphill or descent is gone, as the Hoji handles both with aplomb. *Weight: 1450g Dynafit ST Rotation 12 £450/460 The hours spent touring uphill to enjoy the runs back down will be made easier thanks to this tech binding. Hub Centring makes stepping-in simple, helping to line up and direct the boot into position. A rotational toe piece increases safety, meeting TÜV certification. *Weight: 625g *stated weights are for half pairs

HYBRID/PIN CERT SYSTEM Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 £570 The Hawx Ultra XTD 130 brings together the feel and control of the Hawx Ultra and the natural movement of the Backland to harmonise freeride ability with comfortable all-day touring.

The Memory Fit shell can be heat moulded and the liner is customisable too. *Weight: 1420g Atomic Shift MNC 13 £400 Using pins for the ascent the Shift blends the efficiency of the best uphill bindings with the power and precision of the leading alpine models on the descent. A next generation freeride binding that moves between the alpine and tour categories like nothing else. *Weight: 868g *stated weights are for half pairs

speak to an expert 0800 035 6483 www.ellis-brigham.com

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IS IT SAFE OUT THERE? HENRY’S AVALANCHE TALK In 90% of avalanche accidents, the slide is triggered by either the victim, someone in their group or someone above them. It is almost always a dry slab avalanche that is triggered by people present, not a spontaneous wet snow avalanche that comes down from above. This is good news, because it means that we are in control. We can manage the risk. If we make good choices we can keep it safe. If we make bad choices we need to remember this quote from Bruce Tremper: “We have already met the enemy… it’s us!”.

Off-piste comes from the French ‘hors-piste’: hors which means ‘off’ and piste which means ‘path’. So when you are off-piste, you are by definition ‘off the beaten path’. In our discussions, off-piste and backcountry refer to unsecured areas. Backcountry can refer to more remote areas than off-piste, but here we will describe remote areas as ‘touring’ i.e. areas where a person needs to walk more than 30 minutes to access. For an adventurous person, venturing off-piste and touring is where it’s at. It touches the pioneering instinct. It brings us in touch with nature and with ourselves. This is what makes it fun.

It’s important to know where the secured places end and the unsecured places begin. The resorts do not engage in avalanche control in unsecured areas. It’s not that you will always trigger an avalanche once you venture out of secured areas, it’s just that this is where you start taking responsibility for your own safety.

SO, THE BIG QUESTION IS… IS IT SAFE OUT THERE? The answer is, it depends. It depends on...

1. WHERE YOU GO AND WHEN Slope angles matter. Avalanches in Europe don’t release on slope angles less than 28° (about where black runs begin or a very steep part of a red run). In the cold continental climates like North America the minimum angle is 25°. The international avalanche safety community has determined that slopes of steepness of less than 30° will not release a slab avalanche of any consequence to us. So to simplify matters, the key threshold is now set at 30°. A slope less steep than that will not release a dangerous slab avalanche, but there is a difference between where the avalanche releases and where you actually trigger it. The trigger happens under your skis, but the avalanche frequently releases above you. Remember, you can be on a low angle slope and still trigger an avalanche that releases on a steeper slope that is above you. So, slope angles are critical to think about when you’re deciding where to go.

Snow stability is important. When the snow is stable it takes more than one person to trigger a release. When the snow less stable, then just one person can trigger a slab. Plus there is more of a chance that the slab will release above you, making the consequences that much worse.

Avalanche forecasts tell you about snow stability. Reading or listening to the avalanche forecast is essential to understand the risks for the day. It includes a danger rating. To use the avalanche forecast, you must understand the definition for the ratings. You also need to get an idea of where the instability is most acute on that particular day. We do this every day before we go out.

The probability of a human triggered avalanche is: 1. unlikely 2. possible 3. probable 4. likely 5. certain

1. low

Snow pack is well bonded & stable in most places

2. moderate

Unstable slabs possible on some steep slopes

3. considerable

Unstable slabs probable on some steep slopes

4. high

Unstable slabs likely on many steep slopes

5. very high

Snow pack is weakly bonded and very unstable

Ask local professionals (piste patrol, guides and instructors). Even off-piste and avalanche experts do this. You should do it every time you go out. You might learn something that saves your life.

Start out on low angle slopes and look for clues. Listen for settling and whoomphing (that’s a sound the snow makes when it settles). If you hear it, this is very clear message that the snow is unstable (don’t worry if you’ve never felt or heart it… when it happens you’ll know). Recent avalanche activity is a great clue. If lots of slopes that face one direction have recent slab avalanches on them, you can expect slopes with similar aspect and similar altitude to be unstable. If there is not a lot of recent avalanche activity around and you do not see or hear any other clues of instability and you have understood the bulletins, you can think about exploring steeper and more varied terrain. page 08

speak to an expert 0800 035 6483 www.ellis-brigham.com

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DISCOVER BACKCOUNTRY 2. HOW YOU GO UP OR DOWN Once you have decided where to go, your conduct on the slope will determine your safety. If you follow the rules and keep thinking, you have a much lower risk of triggering an avalanche. If you do not, you could turn a slope that professionals would regard as offering a safe passage into a very unsafe place to be.

Terrain traps may exist below you. Remember this is where you could end up if something is let loose above you. Will it take you into a hole, a ravine or a lake? Will it take you over a cliff? Terrain traps are anything below you that could make the consequences of being swept away even worse. Terrain traps can transform a small avalanche into a fatal one. This is the most important and clear accident prevention point along with the 30° rule.

Go one at a time on exposed parts of the mountain. Do this wherever slopes above and/or below are steep enough to avalanche.

This is one of the golden rules of off-piste/avalanche risk management. The weight of one person is much less likely to trigger a slide than that of two or more people. And if the worst happens, only one of you will get caught and the rest of the group are able to organise a rescue. When we go on a low angle slope and there are no steep slopes above us, we don’t go one at a time. There is no reason to. However, once we get into areas where there are 25° slopes, we know that there will be steeper and shallower slopes around us. Then we make sure that we only ever expose one skier at a time to any risk.

Only ever stop at islands of safety. These are places where you are protected from potential risks, such as under a rock, on a ridge and not below a loaded slope (nothing dangerous above). Ridges are good places to go to whenever you have the slightest doubt. Riding along a ridge is generally a pretty safe bet as long as you don’t ride out onto a cornice above a big drop-off. A ridge doesn’t have to be a classic knifeedge. It can be a rounded area, often referred to as a shoulder. The key point for avalanche safety is that it shouldn’t have a significant slope above you that could release and sweep you away.

3. HOW WELL PREPARED YOU ARE You need to be well prepared, especially for a self contained search & rescue.

Know how to use your equipment (transceiver shovel, probe). If you are still alive when the avalanche settles down you have 15 minutes to live. If your friends have this equipment and know how to use it, then they should be able to find you in less than 15 minutes.

Start thinking early. By talking with your friends about where you are thinking of going; get an idea of the ability level of the people in the group; find out if they are willing to play the game the way you want to; what is the group tolerance for risk? Is there someone in the group who is going to be pushed beyond their limit, then fall and cause you to spend time in places that might be a danger to the rest of the group?

Manage your group size. Three to five people is a good number for a group of friends skiing together.

Watch the human factor. Most accidents are predictable. Often mistakes or bad judgement were responsible and bad judgement comes about due to the human factor. Examples of the human factor are: Passion: “If we don’t go on that slope now it’ll all get skied out”; Stubbornness: “we’re going to ride that slope no matter what today”; Ignorance: “What? I had no idea”.

SO... IS IT SAFE OUT THERE? In the off-piste, if you think about where to go and when, how to go down or up a slope and how to be well prepared, you should be fine.

You may be close to danger at times, but at least you are aware of it and therefore can avoid it. On nice slopes with fresh powder there is always a risk, but if you are aware of it then you can manage the risk and make off-piste about as safe as driving your car to work and much more fun.

Avoid convexities. This is where the slope goes from flat to steep abruptly. A lot of slabs fracture here due to a higher amount of traction stress in these areas. Try bending a Mars bar, the chocolate layer cracks at the convexity (where it bends) because that’s where most of the stress is concentrated. That is a lot like the snowpack on a slope where there are convexities.

Keep your tracks together. The merits of this may not be proven scientifically, but if you follow next to the track of the person who went in front of you and they didn’t set off an avalanche then the chances of you triggering an avalanche are much reduced. Keeping your tracks close together is also good manners as it preserves fresh lines for other people. It is a kind of an ethical thing mixed in with respect for the mountain.

Don’t trigger avalanches on other people. This is really bad form and you’ll go to jail if you kill them.

Always have escape routes in mind. If you are a really good skier, you can sometimes ski out in front of the avalanche and then get out to the side. But recognise it’s very, very difficult to get out of a moving avalanche. Have a plan, but remember most of us will not succeed.

Photos: Ortovox, Stubai, Hansi Heckmair

Henry Schniewind takes Henry’s Avalanche Talk, in association with Ortovox, on tour around Ellis Brigham’s UK shops this winter: Covent Garden (London): Wednesday 24th October 2018 Tamworth: Wednesday 31st October 2018 Braehead (Glasgow): Wednesday 31st October 2018 Bristol: Wednesday 7th November 2018 St Pauls (London): Monday 12th November 2018 Manchester: Wednesday 14th November 2018 Fort William: Tuesday 20th November 2018 Chester: Tuesday 20th November 2018 Chelmsford: Tuesday 27th November 2018 Covent Garden (London): Wednesday 9th January 2019 Henry Schniewind’s website www.henrysavalanchetalk.com is a great resource for all your backcountry safety information.

speak to an expert 0800 035 6483 www.ellis-brigham.com

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THE ESSENTIAL One of the greatest risks we face when skiing and snowboarding off-piste or out in the backcountry is that posed by avalanche. The majority of victims are caught in avalanches that have been triggered by themselves or their companions. Statistics show that in the event of an avalanche burial, the buried victim’s greatest chance of survival is to be located and uncovered within 15 minutes. With the average call out time for an official search and rescue team to arrive on location and begin searching at around 30 to 40 minutes, it is apparent that the avalanche victim’s greatest chance of survival is through an efficient and rapid search and rescue operation provided by the victim’s properly equipped and prepared companions on location.

Ortovox 3+ Transceiver £219.99 This 3-antenna transceiver is super simple to use. The circular display clearly guides at each stage of a search promoting fast recoveries even when faced with multiple burials. Automatic switchover in case of secondary avalanche.

Maximum range: 40m

1-2 hours

From this, you can see just how important the Essential 3 items are. Don’t venture out there without them!

25 minutes

Only a transceiver: 1-2 hours Transceiver and probe: 50 minutes Transceiver and shovel: 25 minutes Transceiver, shovel and probe: 11 minutes

11 minutes

The minimum requirements for skiing and snowboarding in the backcountry are a transceiver, shovel and probe. There are some scary statistics that show search and rescue times for locating and uncovering an avalanche victim under 1 meter of snow by teams with: • • • •

Remember that backcountry areas are not patrolled. You should have an idea of how long it will take to get to where you want to go and how long it will take you to get back into a patrolled area. Make sure you know what time the last lifts of the day run in case you need to use them to get back to your resort.

Before you venture off-piste always remember the following: • Check the current/latest weather conditions.

• Never venture off-piste if you have no experience of understanding mountain conditions and recognising avalanche risk.

• Never venture off-piste or backcountry on your own.

• Always use a guide or somebody with extensive knowledge of the area.

• Always carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel and other essential survival equipment.

Lastly, remember to give an indication of the area where you are intending to ski or snowboard to your rep, friends or somebody who will be able to raise the alarm should you fail to return.

Ortovox Zoom+ Avalanche Rescue Set £229.99 This rescue set offers an economical way to discover all the backcountry has to offer. It includes a Zoom+ transceiver, Alu 240 Probe, Badger Shovel and Safety Academy Guide Book. A great gift for anyone wanting to explore away from groomed runs! page 10

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Ortovox Pro Light Shovel £59.99 The new Pro Light is an ultralight, compact shovel that still offers impressive functionality. The sharp, sturdy blade features cut out notches for minimal weight, while high sidewalls and stabilisation ribs ensure rigidity.

Weight: 440g

Ortovox Alu 240 PFA Probe £54.99 In emergency situations, speed is of the essence. Optimised for fast, faff-free assembly, this 240cm length probe is easy to deploy quickly and efficiently.

Weight: 310g Length: 240cm

Photo: Ortovox, Stubai, Hansi Heckmair

speak to an expert 0800 035 6483 www.ellis-brigham.com

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DISCOVER BACKCOUNTRY

AVALANCHE

AIRBAG SYSTEMS Widely regarded as the fourth piece of must-have backcountry safety equipment, avalanche airbags have been shown to save lives by preventing burial when caught in an avalanche. Regardless of brand, all avalanche airbags work on the same principle; referred to in scientific circles as the principle of Inverse Segregation. Put simply, this states that when in motion, larger objects will always move to the top. This is also true of an avalanche.

Avalanche airbag packs contain large airbags that upon inflation significantly increase your volume. This helps to keep you on top of an avalanche rather than getting buried underneath. When buying an avalanche airbag, a major consideration will be what type of activation system the airbag uses. Two main types exist: canister activation using canisters of compressed air to fill the airbag, or fan activation using a battery powered system. The two bestsellers from Mammut and Black Diamond below showcase these two separate technologies and provide a great introduction to this game-changing product category.

Photo: Black Diamond, Chile, Jeff Cricco

Mammut Ride Protection Airbag 3.0 £679.99 Equipped with the Protection Airbag System 3.0, the Ride is an impressive all-rounder. The unique shape of the Protection airbag provides protection from trauma injuries as well as burial, making it the best choice for the worst case scenario. Ideal for one-day ski or snowboard tours, it offers a practical feature set for backcountry exploration. Cartridge not included.

Capacity: 28L Weight: 2.73kg (Inc. airbag system)

Black Diamond Halo 28 Airbag Pack £899.99 The Halo 28 backcountry pack is a proven performer. Using innovative JetForce technology, the result of a multi-year collaboration between Black Diamond and PIEPS, it was the first avalanche airbag system to use jet-fan inflation. With JetForce’s packable airbag and fully rechargeable electronics system, it provides zero-cost user practice and travel-friendly performance.

Capacity: 28L Weight: 3.4kg (Inc. airbag system)

Mammut Carbon Cartridge 300 Bar £129.99 Weight: 310g

speak to an expert 0800 035 6483 www.ellis-brigham.com

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Five minutes ago it was like standing in an igloo with a snow maker on full blast.

Now the sky is blue, sun rays are making their way down hitting the fantastic view of mountains anchored in turquoise water, where even more potential lines to ski are revealed on the other side of the fjord.

Photo: Norrøna, Lofoten

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WELCOME to LOFOTEN Norrøna take a team trip with ambassadors Christine Hargin, Tobi Tritscher and Even Sigstad to Norway’s Arctic backcountry playground.

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Photos: Norrøna, Lofoten

“Don’t like the weather? Wait five minutes”. Seth Hobby is American, but after six years of working as a guide in the Lofoten mountains he’s starting to get almost as good a grip on the terrain, weather and the snow as a fourth generation fisherman from Lofoten has on the fish banks, the current of the sea and the waves. And he’s right. Suddenly it’s changed. Five minutes ago it was like standing in an igloo with a snow maker on full blast. Now the sky is blue, sun rays are making their way down hitting the fantastic view of mountains anchored in turquoise water, where even more potential lines to ski are revealed on the other side of the fjord.

Again the cliché makes sense; the Lofoten islands are made of contrasts. Sky meets mountain, mountain meets ocean. Snow vs water.

Blue vs white. Ski tourism alongside the fishing industry. One moment it’s the stormiest weather you’ve ever experienced, the next it’s sunny and the air is calm. If you go to Lofoten for skiing you will encounter the total package; the weather, the landscape, the view, the ocean, the history, the adventure… and hopefully the good snow.

We still have some hiking ahead of us before we reach the place where we’ll adjust our boots and point our ski tips down towards the fjord. It’s the first time skiing in the Lofoten Mountains for Christine Hargin and Tobi Tritscher, Even Sigstad is definitely not a Lofoten first-timer, but as we stop and enjoy the view for a moment we are all mesmerized. Just as fast as the weather cleared up, there’s a new wall of snow and wind coming in from the ocean, and it’s hitting us even before we have time to post a picture on Instagram. Around 500 meters above sea level the temperature is still on the borderline between wet and dry, and we’re unsure about the snow quality of the face we’ve picked. The past week we’ve had rain, sleet, hail, snow, stormy weather and beaming sun, which can make the snow conditions somewhat variable, not uncommon in Lofoten.

Christine is on the flank of a top where she picked her warm-up run, to get a feel of the snow. The wind has been pretty rough during the night and even though the fresh snow looks tempting it’s important not to page 14

lose your head. Christine chooses safely; a shorter line with an open face without any cliffs or terrain traps can be crucial if the snow starts to move. And that’s exactly what happens. It cracks up after only a couple of turns, and Christine is dragged along with the snow further down the line. It ends well, because of the precautions that were taken.

We take this as an important sign from nature; this is not the day for the big, steep and exposed lines. We’re happy to have our guide Seth with us, reap his knowledge and experience both when it comes to safety precautions and seeking out the best snow at all times.

Our ambitions of hardcore big mountain skiing are lowered by the existing conditions. We’re a little disappointed, wanting to show our guests the most badass big mountain skiing Lofoten has to offer. But at least we’ve been skiing a lot throughout the past week – in rain, stormy weather, sun and some fresh snow. The experience of Lofoten is one of a kind, even if you’ve been there many times before. Apart from the skiing and the view, the ocean and the food you get here is worth the package price alone.

It’s late in the afternoon when we’re down from the mountain, but we’ve just enough time for a short stop in the sauna and a dip in the Arctic Ocean before yet another fantastic home cooked and locally produced dinner is served at the Lofoten Ski Lodge. Before dinner we also try to make time for the daily portion of Lofoten-bragging while drinking the locally brewed beer together with the rest of the guests. You’ll find Swedes, Americans, Swiss, French and Norwegians on the guest list here. And then you also have the guides, that come from all over the world. This feels like a real heliski-lodge, full of hardcore skiers, except it smells of fish rather than heli-fuel.

Throughout one week, our experience has ranged from classic touring in spring slush, to steep couloir skiing with demanding conditions, climbing peaks with hail coming in sideways, forest skiing in powder similar to what you’ll find in Japan, as well as blue skies, sun, fresh powder on top of the highest and most alpine mountain peaks in the archipelago. In other words; we’ve experienced the total package in classic Lofoten style.

speak to an expert 0800 035 6483 www.ellis-brigham.com

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DISCOVER BACKCOUNTRY

Lofoten Facts: Located north of the Arctic Circle, the majestic Lofoten island chain is famous for its exceptional beauty, harsh contrasting weathers and unyielding environment. Framed by Alpine-style peaks and glaciers, craggy coastlines, an age-old cod fishing industry, and surreal light, Lofoten’s extreme elements are the very essence and soul of Norway’s outdoor life.

Travel The easiest and most expensive way is to fly to Bodø with SAS or Norwegian and then fly to Svolvær or Leknes with the Widerøe airline. An alternative would be to fly cheap to Evenes with SAS or Norwegian, and then spend a few hours in a rent-acar or bus west to Lofoten. In any case, a rental car would be highly useful for getting around.

Accommodation Lofoten is a tourist magnet with accommodations in all categories. Some are closed in the winter. Suggested starting points for trips would be Svolvær, Kabelvåg and Henningsvær.

Check out Lofoten Ski Lodge, where they offer both accommodation and guiding. www.visitlofoten.com gives an overview of the rest of the possibilities, and then call around to check prices and availability at “rorbuer”, fishing huts, hotels and cabins.

Guides Northern Alpine Guides is based in Lofoten and run by Seth Hobby and his wife Maren Eek Bistrup. Read more on alpineguides.no or contact them at seth@alpineguides.no Guide Books The Norwegian alpine ski touring book “Toppturer i Norge” from the Fri Flyt publishing house covers a few tours in Lofoten. You can also Google information about trips in the area. If you are a newcomer, it would pay (both in terms of the experience and safety) to hire a guide or hook up with local ski enthusiasts.

More info www.visitlofoten.com www.visitlofoten.as

www.lofoten.info www.camplofoten.no

The Norrøna Lofoten collection can be seen at www.ellis-brigham.com/brands/norrona speak to an expert 0800 035 6483 www.ellis-brigham.com

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WHAT MAKES AN AMAZING Last season was one of the best for many years with heavy snow falling across the Alps. As a result we were blessed with excellent conditions and the opportunity to shred some epic powder. When conditions are prime, having a backcountry-specific board in your quiver is a massive advantage. It lets you float above the snow, turn easier and fully enjoy the surf-like experience. Here we take a closer look at how these snowboards make riding powder so much fun.

POWDER BOARD?

First off it’s the Shape.

The resurgence of backcountry snowboarding, euro carves, and a little bit of nostalgia has led the way for the acceptance of more radical snowboard shape design. One of the more modern and popular shapes for a powder board is a tapered directional with a progressive sidecut.

This mouthful of a shape can be broken down into three parts: Tapered: This refers to the width of the nose and the tail. The width of the tail is smaller than the nose – hence the board tapers out from the tail to the nose. The difference between the two can be subtle or can be up to a cm or two. A thin tail sinks into the snow while the wide nose lifts up the two of them work in tandem for a floaty feel.

Directional: The tail is shorter in length than the nose, and the bindings are moved back towards the tail. The tail-heavy binding placement concentrates your weight over the back portion of the board accentuating the tail dipping and the nose lifting. Plus, it stops your legs from burning out. This year Bataleon’s Surfer definitely takes the prize for one of the most directional boards going, its long nose, set back stance and swallow tail will have you floating even in the deepest powder.

Progressive Sidecut: The sidecut (edge curve on the side of the board) is aggressive at the contact points (at the tip and tail) before it steadily becomes more and more mellow in the middle area of the board. This makes for easy turn initiation and exit (especially on a big board) while the middle of the turn is silky smooth and steady.

Now it’s all about the Profile A rocker profile (convex shape) helps the snowboard float over the top of snow while camber (concave) adds power and stability. Lots of modernday powder boards use a combination of the two profiles (hybrid) favouring a bigger helping of rocker over camber.

Lastly, it’s all about Surface Area When a rider’s weight is spread over a large area they produce less downward pressure allowing for more float. Traditionally, manufacturers have increased surface area (S.A) by extending the length of a board. This works, but it also negatively affects the handling of the board and makes spins more difficult. A more modern approach to increasing the S.A, which has less impact on manoeuvrability, is to make the board wider around the bindings in the nose and tail. This way you still get the same or improved S.A but the low swing weight makes it easier to control and manipulate the board. page 16

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Bataleon Surfer ES

Jones opt for their SPOON 3D-base. The nose of the board is shaped like a spoon, hence the name. It reduces friction at the contact points allowing you to maintain more speed, eliminates edge catch and pushes more snow out of the way.

Jones Mind Expander

In addition to camber, rocker or hybrid the manipulation of the profile across the width of the board can aid performance. YES favour their own Powder Hull Tech (found in the PH 420 and the 2020). With PH, YES have created a catamaran style scoop in the front of the board, channelling snow and air down under the nose increasing lift while the same shape at the tail blows out snow, lowering the back end.

YES 420 PH

Jones have teamed up with legendary surf shaper Chris Christenson with the aim of improving the glide of their boards. Chris took inspiration from his vast back catalogue (over 20,000 surfboards) to create the Mind Expander and Lone Wolf shapes. The result is an ultra-fast profile that delivers a loose surf feel.

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DISCOVER BACKCOUNTRY

TOP TIPS FOR SPLITBOARDING BEGINNERS

Photos: Jones Snowboards

Getting into splitboarding opens up a whole new side to any mountain or resort and can be a hugely fulfilling experience. But before you set co-ordinates on your nearest snow-capped peak, we thought we would ask our Aviemore-based backcountry expert Dani for his top tips for beginners...

Splitboarding is a great way to explore and enjoy the snow; from glens and forests to remote mountains, it gives you incredible freedom.

Splitboarding in the backcountry requires a fair amount of equipment, so it’s important to try and keep the weight of each item to a minimum where possible. Keeping it lightweight makes life a lot easier!

Splitboarding can put demands and stress on your body, so it’s important to improve or maintain a good level of fitness before hiking out. Build up your background endurance. In the summer and autumn, training whilst you wait for the snow to arrive will help you enjoy splitboarding a lot more. Hiking, running, mountain biking, cycling, climbing, swimming and stretching regularly will all be beneficial.

Starting out! Keep it simple by choosing a gentle route to start with. This helps to introduce you to the equipment (to put skins on and take them off, board tip and tail clips, manage the bindings), and skin technique up (further down). Go out accompanied by a guide or someone experienced in splitboarding. A lot can be learnt by observing, asking and listening to.

Jones Explorer Split

Your downhill snowboarding ability should be intermediate on piste: absolutely comfortable on blue and red runs, pretty solid on red runs and nearby off-piste.

Be safe. Read up on being safe in the mountains to help you follow basic rules such as checking the weather and avalanche hazard levels before heading out and always tell someone where are you going.

Dial in your skinning technique. To save your energy and make it easier and more enjoyable, there are a few basic skin up technique tips you should always bear in mind: Slide, rather than lift, your skis.

Master the kick turn. You must practice and improve this technique as much as possible. It’s the best way to turn on steeps! Hold your ski poles higher to get balance but even more to propel yourself. Use your arms to support your legs.

Manage your binding’s different heel piece positions: flatter – middle – higher, depending upon the slope incline. Most of the time, you will skin up on the middle position of the heel piece. This mid-step provides you much better grip for traverse lines. Keep the following in mind; low track angles will make you more energy efficient and allow to you to go up on the middle position of the heel piece. speak to our team 0800 035 6484 www.snowboard-asylum.com

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OUR FAVOURITE

DAY SKI TOURS IN THE ALPS New Generation Ski & Snowboard School

Siviez Backcountry

What comes to mind when you close your eyes and think of skiing? Is it queueing up for ski lifts and dodging others on your way down the hill? Or is it you and some friends, fresh mountain air on your faces, deep in the backcountry, in total silence? You can have that second option - you’ll just have to work for it. Ski touring, or splitboarding, involves attaching grippy skins on the underside of your skis or board so that you can hike uphill. And while to some that might seem a little bit mad when there are perfectly good lifts to take, others know that it opens up endless possibilities on the mountain. So if you’re seeking adventure, and want to escape the crowds, it’s hard to refute. And that feeling you’ll have when you pick your line and glide down the untouched snow? Well, it makes all the effort worth it.

Here is a little insider knowledge about a few of our favourite ski tours in the Alps.

Verbier, Switzerland

Val d’Isere, France

Route: Mont Fort - Rosablanche - Siviez Location: Accessed from the top of the Mont Fort cable car Good for: Advanced/Expert (the descent from Mont Fort can be challenging) Duration: 5 hours The route starts with a descent down the steep south facing slope towards a small lake. After putting on your skins you’ll make your way up a valley and along a ridge towards a col. Across the col there is a short descent around a bowl before the skins go back on for the ascent up the Grand Désert glacier to the summit. You are now on glacial terrain, which increases the safety considerations, but offers a sense of really being away from the hustle and bustle of resort. The final metres to the summit can be tricky so a boot pack is advised.

There you’ll be greeted with stunning views of the Grand Combin and beyond. At over 3300m it really does feel like you are at the top of the world.

The ski down to Siviez is far less steep than the first descent from Mont Fort so once the glacier is out the way you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the snow and scenery and even take in the dam. Make sure you get to Siviez in time to catch the connections back to Verbier.

Why we love it: You get 2000m of descent for only 600m of ascent, and the can feel a long way from hustle of the resort.

Route: Grand Aiguille Rousse Location: Accessed from the top of the Teleski du Montet Good for: Advanced Duration: 6 hours With three skin sections and three skis, this is not the easy option. But if you’re willing to put in the work it could be the highlight of your trip. The first two skin/ski sections are short and sharp as you traverse up and over two ridges.

One ridge is south facing so pack Harscheisen to attach to your skis, and don't head out too late in the day. The third skin is the longest of the day with 600m of ascent, gently snaking up a glacier before following a ridge to the summit.

The view from the top is formidable, as the slope you are about to ski drops away steeply below you.

This first section is sure to get the heart pumping. As the terrain mellows, it allows you to add a little extra speed and playfulness to your skiing on what will feel like a never-ending run. As your legs and lungs start to give out, the Refuge de Prariond will pop into sight. Grab an omelette and a few beers in the sun while you’re there! From here it’s a really gentle ski through the Gorges de Malpasset and back into town. Make sure the gorges are passable before you start your trip otherwise it will be a four skins, four skis day.

Why we love it: You leave the world behind you with stunning vistas across the Alps, including the Matterhorn on a clear day. Plus, the long descent offers an awesome mix of a steep start, playful midsection and picturesque finish.

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DISCOVER BACKCOUNTRY Courchevel, France Route: Breche de la Portetta Location: Accessed from the top of Chanrossa chair, Courchevel 1650 Good for: Advanced Duration: 5 hours The tour starts with an easy traverse, and short boot pack to the top of the first col. After a gentle descent past two refuges, Lacs Merlet and Grand Plan you’re ready to start the main ascent. Keeping left, the first part is fairly gentle as you cross small valleys. Then, it becomes steep up to the Passage de Plassa, where you’ll take a long traverse below the ridge, beneath four imposing rock pillars. The ascent finishes with a few minutes climb to reach the Breche de la Portetta (2651m), but is well worth the effort. As you approach the seemingly unpassable rock faces, a small passageway opens up, leading to the col. From here you have stunning views over the blue wall of the Vanoise glacier. You have two options for descent. You can descend back down the valley from which you’ve come (Les Avals) to Courchevel 1650, or descend down the other side into Pralognan.

Why we love it: In the heart of the stunning Vanoise National Park, it offers breathtaking views of glaciers and mountains. Due to its north-easterly facing slope, the descent back down towards Les Avals offers great snow conditions.

Breche de la Portetta

Touring with New Generation

Méribel, France Route: Dos de Cret Voland Location: Accessed from the top of Olympic chair Good for: Beginner - Intermediate Duration: 2.5 hours From the top of the Olympic chair traverse down the gently sloping ridge of le Verdet on the east side of the Meribel valley, carry on along the ridge until you reach the col before the Dos de Cret Voland. A short section of skinning, only 100m, but a chance to practice, brings you to the summit of the Dos de Cret Voland. From here you get a fantastic uninterrupted 800m descent into the picturesque village of Les Allues. The slope undulates nicely and picks its way through trees until you arrive in the village. From here you can take the Olympe lift back to Meribel, or stay for a vin chaud first!

Why we love it: For relatively little effort you get a fantastic varied descent and there are many lines to take so it takes a while to get tracked out.

Siviez (4 Vallées), Switzerland

Tignes, France

Route: Col de la Rossette Location: Off the Combatseline piste Good for: Novice - Advanced Duration: 5 hours The adventure begins on a narrow path off the Combatseline piste in the Siviez ski area. As you depart the path, put your skins on and begin an ascent through the woods and into a bowl at Les Troutes. From here you continue up a narrowing valley that eventually reaches a col at 2913m. By now you’ve ascended nearly 1000m vertical so will want a well-earned snack and time to take in the view. Having earned your turns it is time to ski into the Combe de la Rosette following the crest of a ridge. A left turn at the end of the ridge takes you to an enjoyable ski down to the alpage of Orchéra. A track then takes you back towards the ski area where you will join the forested L’Éteygeon itinerary route until you hit the road. There is an hourly bus back to Thyon and the 4 Vallées lift system.

Why we love it: A short, simple tour that has a wild feeling, good skiing, and great views.

Route: Terre Rouge Location: Accessed from the top of the Aiguille Percée or Marais Chairlifts Good for: Everyone Duration: 3 hours This unique tour rewards you with two descents totalling 1200m. And with the start just a 5 minute hike from the top of the lifts, it’s super easy to access. This is a north-west facing slope so generally, you can count on incredible snow conditions any time of the year. And for the most part, the tour is gentle and a great introduction to heading uphill on skis.

The ski down offers a mix of wide-open gentle bowls and short steep sections dropping off like steps. The second section has a steeper gradient and the landscape transforms from high alpine into glades of trees. Know where you’re heading here as a wrong turn can put you on top of some pretty big cliffs.

Why we love it: Not only is the skiing the perfect mix of playful terrain dropping into steeper more technical lines but the tour is short and the snow is almost always the best in the resort.

NEW GENERATION SKI & SNOWBOARD SCHOOL Lessons and guided adventures for ski tourers and split boarders.

Whilst these route summaries give you a taste of some incredible tours on offer in the Alps, they don’t replace the need for expert local knowledge. For your safety and enjoyment we always recommend taking a local guide when heading off into the backcountry. Not only will they know the safest routes, and best tactics for navigating terrain; they’ll also be able to find you the best snow, and their favourite lines.

Col de la Rossette

Before you go touring, or off-piste, ensure you have the necessary safety kit and knowledge of how to use it.

If in doubt, hire a guide. speak to an expert 0800 035 6483 www.ellis-brigham.com

www.skinewgen.com or 01462 674 000 page 19

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THE ARTof FLOAT backcountry skis for fresh snow days

The hunt for first turns and untouched snow draws many skiers beyond lift accessed terrain: switching bindings from ski to walk, clipping on skins and finding the steady rhythm of the skin track. The locations are just partial reward for the effort, the real prize is the ride back down.

A long-time question has always been whether to choose a lighter ski to ease the uphill or a performance orientated model to boost the descent. Having a ski that ticked both boxes was not possible.

Until very recently.

The Backcountry segment is a diverse mix of skis including some exceptional wider models. These are skis that take the light weight concepts of the slimmest touring models and apply design principles from the most powerful freeride skis. Wider waists add little extra weight, there’s no compromise on strength and the floatation is maximised thanks to generous base areas and well thought out camber and design tweaks.

These latest skis help ease the ascent and boost the thrills on the ride back down. They provide the effortless float that makes the fresh snow worth the exertion of getting there.

Photo: Arc’teryx, Skeena BC

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DISCOVER BACKCOUNTRY

Atomic Backland 107 £530 Atomic’s Backland 107 redefines what a lighter, wider model can do, blurring the lines of freeride and backcountry, proving that you can have a lightweight ski that packs a punch.

Even though the waist reads 107mm underfoot it feels manoeuvrable and playful, especially compared to similar models. It’s stable and locks into a carve nicely on hard snow. Take it into the soft, deep stuff and this is when it really shines, HRZN Tech at the tip and tail ensures the easiest handling and the most stable ride. Ideal for skiers wanting a ski to do everything.

Weight: 1590g Waist: 107mm Radius: 18.5m

Black Crows Corvus Freebird £650 The Corvus Freebird charges like the most powerful of freeride skis but without the excess weight. 109mm underfoot is a big enough platform to deliver ample float, with smooth steering and control coming easily thanks to the front progressive rocker and lightly tapered sidecut. Where this ski differs from other wider, backcountry models is the grip and response it provides when pushed. No over use of carbon here, just smart engineering with poplar and paulownia woods and lighter edges, meaning the feel of a regular alpine ski is retained.

One for the more aggressive skiers.

Weight: 1800g Waist: 109mm Radius: 21m

Blizzard Zero G 108 £720 The Zero G 108 is happy to add a few grams versus some of the lightest wide skis as it certainly makes up for this with its power and all-round ability. Light enough for long day tours, the versatility for any terrain and the width to deal with the deepest conditions, it’s a ski that ensures stronger freeskiers are very happy. The low camber and rocker at the tip and tail make it super manoeuvrable; the paulownia and carbon fibre construction adds the strength. Smooth and powerful.

Weight: 1750g Waist: 108mm Radius: 25m

DPS Wailer 112 Tour1 £800 DPS create special skis, targeted at soft snow and fresh conditions, but also capable in every other condition. The Wailer 112 is quite possibly the shape that captures this best.

What makes this Tour1 version so interesting is that the construction swaps to cap and the layup is balsa with pre-preg carbon fibre, meaning the ski is light yet torsionally strong. Marry this up with the Paddle Tech shaping, tip and tail rocker and wide dimensions and you have a freeskiing model that feels effortless on the ascent and the ride back down. For the powder hunters.

Weight: 1550g Waist: 112mm Radius: 15/18m

speak to an expert 0800 035 6483 www.ellis-brigham.com

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EARN YOUR TURNS STAFF TRAINING IN THE BACKCOUNTRY

ELLIS BRIGHAM STAFF SKI TESTING & BACKCOUNTRY TRAINING April gave us the opportunity to have five days ski testing in Obergurgl, Austria. It was the last week of the season so the lifts and slopes were quiet. Perfect blue skies welcomed us every day and there was certainly no shortage of snow. Ideal conditions for testing a lot of equipment.

Staff from various Ellis Brigham stores came over to demo the new kit and receive training in exactly the location that is was designed to be used. As well as the skis and bindings, various boots and other gear was given a full test. On-hill activities weren’t just limited to skiing and included Ortovox covering avalanche kit in detail as well as techniques and skills. Evening lectures complimented the snow based training.

This commitment to training gives our team the experiences and knowledge to really understand the products they’re working with. Here are the thoughts of 3 of the staff who you may see in the shops or on the hill this winter.

Name: Andrea Shop: Covent Garden BC Experience: Plenty of lift accessed off-piste over the last 25 years, not much skinning though I did tour up and ski back from Mt Etna last year.

Testing notes: The big thing I took away from the ski test about the BC gear was how well it performed, including some of the kit that was every bit as good as it’s alpine counterparts, except of course it was much lighter.

The Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 XTD felt just like a downhill boot, with no loss of power or control, and it was great when ascending. The Dynafit Hoji and Lange XT130 Free both impressed, in different ways. The Hoji was good skiing but it excelled on the uphill; the Lange was good on the ascent, maybe not ideal for long tours, but it was every bit as good as pure downhill models when skiing and incredibly comfortable too. The Kingpin impressed me too, just as solid as a pure alpine binding.

The skis all stood out in their own way. I enjoyed the Backland 95 as a more touring focused, lighter ski, the Scott Superguide 95 was much more stable than I could have imagined and the Salomon MTN Explore 95 is one of the most comfortable all mountain skis you could find. We didn’t have the conditions but you could tell the Blizzard Zero G 108 and Black Crows Corvus Freebird would be pretty special in softer and deeper snow.

The skis that impressed me most were the Black Crows Navis Freebird with its precision and solidity, making it easy to forget you were on a lighter, BC focused model. And there was the Blizzard Zero G 95. The Blizzard blew me away, even ignoring how light it was.

The way it handled all conditions made this one of the skis of the test. There’s no rattling on firm snow, it’s fun on all terrain and has the width to float. As good as any dedicated all mountain ski. page 22

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DISCOVER BACKCOUNTRY Name: Dani Shop: Aviemore BC Experience: Various winters and ranges in my native Spain, including plenty of ski-mo racing, last four seasons exploring BC back-to-back between Scotland and NZ, and now working part-time in Ski Patrol in Scotland.

Testing notes: Conditions were perfect so I was up early every day to skin up to the test site before the lifts opened. There may not have been fresh conditions but once the snow softened in the afternoon there was plenty of nice turns to reward the ascents. I gave everything a thorough test and there was nothing I didn’t enjoy.

The Lange XT 130 Free was a nice surprise, as was the Nordica Strider, two boots that I knew would ski well, and I wasn’t disappointed. But I was equally impressed at their ability to ascend for boots that are supposedly downhill focused.

I enjoyed all the skis. The Atomic Backland 95 is perfect for advanced tourers, it’s super agile and effortless when skinning up and skiing back down. The Backland 85 is more a true tour ski but it’s still solid. It’s well balanced and nimble for tight situations, giving the confidence to go and explore whether it’s a short or multi-day tour. The Black Crows Corvus Freebird has the right blend and length of tip/tail progressive rocker to make it great through all turn shapes and styles. The width and lightness ensure it is floaty and playful in soft spring snow.

Photos: Marcin Wiklik, Austrian Tirol

Name: Benj Shop: Castleford BC Experience: Skied for 25+ years, just started venturing further last season with my own BC set-up.

Testing notes: The five days in Obergurgl gave me the opportunity to really spend some time with more BC gear and in different situations and terrain. Three of the mornings I was up early before the lifts started, to skin up to the test site. Once the snow had softened the afternoons were spent following Dani, working on technique and efficiency (important if I was to keep with him).

I got through a lot of the kit: boots, skis and bindings. For me the Backland 107 stood out as a ski that felt great on the uphill and was every bit as good as any standard freeride ski; I like to push a ski hard and I could be every bit as aggressive as I wanted. The Black Crows Corvus Freebird was another ski that impressed me with the way it skied – powerful turns and it felt good skinning too.

In terms of boots the new Dynafit Hoji Pro was a big surprise. Excellent ankle and heel hold, and a great range of motion. But it was the skiing that stood out, you could take it anywhere and do anything with it. The Lange XT 130 Free was a very close second favourite with much better ease of walking and skinning than I expected.

ELLIS BRIGHAM BACKCOUNTRY EVENTS Discover Backcountry with Blair Aitken:• Snow Factor Braehead, November (Date TBC) • Tamworth SnowDome, November (Date TBC) • Women’s Weekend, Scotland 2nd & 3rd February Glenmore Lodge Wild Ski Festival 16th & 17th March

ELLIS BRIGHAM BACKCOUNTRY RENTAL CENTRES Our Scottish resort shops at Fort William and Aviemore both carry a range of Backcountry rental equipment. Our staff have great local knowledge about locations and conditions and can hook you up with local guiding services.

Fort William Tel: 01397 706220 Email: fort.william@ellis-brigham.com Aviemore Tel: 01479 810175 Email: aviemore@ellis-brigham.com

speak to an expert 0800 035 6483 www.ellis-brigham.com

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