Contact us today to schedule your 2020 group ski tour or winter trip!

Ever wondered what it’d be like to "down-hill ski" in untracked backcountry powder? Or how about ski touring along a remote 6-7000’ ridgeline with 360 degrees of awesome and inspiring views of snow covered mountainous backcountry terrain?  Alpine ski touring (AT) - also known as backcountry or side-country skiing is a fantastic way of exploring our mountainous and backcountry environments in the winter, and enjoying some creative ski days and adventures both next to and away from the local ski resort.

Backcountry powder skiing and touring can be for all ages and ability levels. We guide both introductory backcountry tour days and intermediate to advanced alpine touring and powder skiing day and mulit-day experiences. The bulk of our backcountry powder skiing and touring days take place in the Kootenay Mountains of British Columbia just 2 hours north of Spokane, but we also guide various winter trips in the northeast mountains of Washington, the Selkirk mountains of north Idaho, and trips in Montana as well. You may use your own downhill, backcountry, or telemark gear or you may use our gear free of charge for the day. Please read the touring information and CWC trip guidelines below, and contact us for help in plannning an unforgetable and lasting winter experience for you or your group.  

Perhaps you’ve been considering getting into Backcountry Skiing for some time, but not real sure what the proper steps are? Maybe you've just aquired your first AT setup? Our Introduction to Backcountry Alpine Ski Touring day clinic is designed to allow “regular” people to experience what is involved in a short backcountry ski tour.

These specific day clinics and tours are designed for those with intermediate downhill skiing ability, who have little or no backcountry skiing experience and want to learn the basics. We'll introduce you to the different types of bindings and gear that allow us to travel through, and ski in the backcountry, including use of AT (Alpine Touring) bindings or touring adapters for your own downhill skis, climbing skins and the other backcountry tools needed. After a complete gear overview, including what is packed in a day tour pack, a brief overview of avalanche safety practices and gear, and a hands on question and answer time, you will have the opportunity to then use the gear (either provided by us or your own) on an afternoon ski tour in nearby terrain. On the tour you’ll learn and practice specific techniques and skills helpful for touring and skiing in backcountry terrain.

Contact us for upcoming CWC Intro to the BC clinics and tour dates if not listed below, we'll send you a specific clinic flyer and gear list, or if you or your group would like to schedule YOUR OWN winter backcountry an/or snowsafety clinic. 

Located just thirty miles north of Metaline Falls Washington, Kootenay Pass is located between Salmo and Creston BC. It offers roadside access to thousands of acres of skiable backcountry in a region that is known for its consistently deep and dry powder. With both treed AND “big mountain” bowl skiing on all aspects, all in the same vicinity, there are virtually no non-skiable days January to April. As “locals” living in the Metaline Falls and north Pend Oreille valley, Climbers With Christ has been blessed to ski and climb in this area almost weekly throughout the winter. It’s our desire to introduce others to this amazing winter playground. Contact us for more information and...  come and “ski ” it for yourself !

Season:

January 1- April 30

 

Participant to guide ratio:

Up to 4:1 (8 person maximum)

 

Cost:

No fee. CWC ministry is funded through freewill gifts and contributions NOT connected to the outings themselves.

 

Basic day tour Itinerary:

Meet in front of The Falls Market (Downtown Metaline Falls), head north to the Border, and on to Kooteney Pass (30 miles North of Metaline Falls). Group introductions & hot drinks, gear check, safety guidelines, prayer, and head out.

7:15am     Meet in Metaline Falls - The Falls Market

8:50am    Meet at Visitors Cabin at Kooteney Pass

9am         Group introductions, gear and safety checks, outing guidelines and prayer

10am       Tour, ski, tour, lunch, ski, tour, ski

4:30pm   Return to Visitors Cabin at Pass, Gear returns

5pm         Depart for Metaline Falls

6:30pm   Metaline Falls

Note: This itinerary is for example only. All tours are tailored to meet individual                                                                    group needs and objectives.

 

2020 Backcountry Ski Clinic & Open Tour Dates:

January 18  Intro to BC Skiing Clinic 49 Degrees North 8 spots

January 25  Winter Travel/Level 1 Avalanche Skills Clinic 49 Degrees North 8 spots
February 22  Open Into/Novice Day Tour 8 spots
March 14  Open Intermediate/Advanced Day Tour 8 spots
April 16-19  COL Ministry and Mountaineering Seminar 10 spots
March 2020  Montana ski tours and COL seminars TBA 

Contact us to schedule your own ski tour date or group tour date!

 

Snowshoeing 

We also lead and guide snowsheoing tours and events in the local inland northwest, and surrouning areas (North Idaho and Montana), as well as in the same backcountry areas we ski and tour in. While backcountry ski tours are limited to 8 participants, we guide groups of 12 snowshoers into those same backcountry areas, and up to 20 participant groups in other local and "side"country areas. Experienced guides, instruction, and snacks are provided, and 15 pairs of snowshoes and poles are available for use at no charge.

 

Please contact us for flyers and gear lists for each of the above dates and activities, or for further inquiry on planning your own winter backcountry skiing or snowshoe event.