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This off piste snowboard course will have you conquering powder with confidence and style. Run from our Canadian base in Fernie, there is no better mountain to develop your hunger for untamed terrain and improve your ability in the deep stuff. It all builds up to an epic finale - a four-day backcountry touring trip from a remote cabin in the Purcell Range. The course is four weeks, but if you're craving longer in the mountains, or have less experience, you can extend to six. Don't hold off for too long; each course is limited to 6 snowboarders and each trip sells out way in advance!
Bring your snorkel! You might think that the slogan is a big claim, but seeing is believing!
Fernie often tops the snow charts in Western Canada and, with its location being inland, the snow is cold, light and a dream to shred! With nearly nothing off-limits across five large bowls, you will be able to go wild.
You'll pick your line through the bowls, among the trees, through the gullies and off the many natural hits. Fernie really does offer big mountain skiing at its best and all within the safety of excellent avalanche controlled areas.
Fernie is the sort of resort where the most powder-hungry instructors want to live. So over the years since we started Nonstop, we have formed a team of the best high-level snowboard coaches that the industry has to offer.
You'll be riding alongside them, as they refine your technique and give you the tips and skills you need to enjoy this epic mountain. Before you realise it you'll be shredding the best parts of the mountain with confidence and style.
We'll help you develop your skills across the whole mountain, hitting terrain you never thought possible, as well as perfecting those stylish turns in magnificent untouched powder.
We teach you how to split-board and take you into the backcountry wilderness. You'll feel closer to the mountain than ever before, enjoying surroundings that very few snowboarders ever get to experience.
Saving the best till last! Our course culminates in an epic finale; at the end of the course, you'll go on a four day wilderness adventure!
Take an astounding helicopter flight over the Kootenay mountains, before landing at a backcountry lodge retreat.
You then spend four days experiencing a genuine backcountry lifestyle, split boarding into the great unknown and riding amazing untouched endless powder!
A good night's sleep to end great days on the hill. In 2007 we purchased our very own hotel and set about making it the best snowboard accommodation possible by focusing on comfort and excellent facilities.
Rooms have queen sized beds and facilities include a hot tub and sauna, snowboard storage and tuning room, movie theatre, full kitchen facilities and an on-site bar and restaurant, where your course meals are served.
The four week program is divided into two halves. Group coaching (weeks 1-2) consists of 20 hours coaching per week. Our full day coaching sessions are Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri, with Wednesdays and the weekends for freeriding, consolidating what you've learnt and other activities. The maximum group size is 7 people per pro but typically they are 6 or even smaller. During weeks 3-4, the guests in resort (not ski touring at the Boulder Hut) will receive two smaller group lessons.
In the unlikely event tha tthe ratio of snowboarders : instructor is 2 or less, we will provide 4 x half day private lessons instead of full day group lessons. This will ensure that the trip will run and that you have the best coaching experiece.
The Red Tree Lodge will be your home for the duration of your course. You'll have access to all the lodge's facilities, including:
You'll be treated to a hearty breakfast at the Red Tree Lodge seven days per week. Options include coffee/tea, juices, cereals, toast, pastries, yogurt, fruit, porridge oats, as well as hot items like eggs, beans, sausages, hash browns or bacon.
Enjoy a nutritionally balanced & filling three course meal at the Red Tree Lodge four evenings a week.
You'll be given a season lift pass so you can ski as much as you please. Come out early or stay on after, your lift pass will cover you.
We provide airport transfers from and to Calgary Airport at set departure times.
We will provide transfers at the following times:
Start date of course: meet the transfer at Calgary Airport at 5pm, opt for a flight that lands before 3:30pm.
End date of course: transfer will arrive at Calgary Airport by approx. 1:30pm, opt for a flight that departs after 4:30pm.
Daily shuttle to and from the slopes.
Your host will ensure your course runs smoothly. They'll be on hand 24/7 for a chat, laugh, or to solve any problems.
Head into Fernie's awesome sidecountry and get a taste of what ski touring is all about.
You'll head to the Boulder Hut for the culmination of your trip and enjoy 4 days of backcountry touring. All meals will be provided here.
You'll be dropped off at the Boulder Hut and return via helicopter. It's weather dependent so we allow a window to fly.
Learn all you need to know to explore the backcountry.
Throughout the program our coaches will make the most of technical video analysis to help with your development.
Each week you'll receive a technical talk on subjects like biomechanics, looking after your gear, and injury prevention.
Each week your host will organise team socials and après for all the group to get involved in.
Head out onto the slopes before the lifts are open to the public - your own private mountain. Could be cancelled in adverse weather. *Only available on 6 week option.
If four days in the backcountry is not enough (!), you can bolster your package with CAT Skiing
1% of revenues support environmental non-profits, including Protect Our Winters
We make your trip carbon neutral by offsetting emissions we can't reduce, including flights
On behalf of all participants, we offset the measurable carbon emissions of your trip based on the duration, location and type of course, as well as the journey you’re taking to reach your course. Through our partnership with Climate Impact, we contribute to effective carbon reduction projects.
These things are not included in the package:
If time is not an issue, then clearly, it’s a no-brainer to come for 6 weeks! This has traditionally been a 6-week package and we have only made 4-weeks an option to make it more manageable for people getting time off work. However, 4 weeks should only be considered if you’re already an advanced snowboarder. The 6-weeks are composed of a 2 week All Mountain coaching camp immediately before the 4 week Master the Mountain course.
If you’re thinking about the 4-week trip, then you need to already have experience riding in ungroomed terrain and feel comfortable on black runs. We can cater for slightly less experienced snowboarders on the 6-week package. Get in touch to chat about your current level of experience and whether this course is suitable.
We have our own fleet of specialist touring splitboards, skins, poles and avalanche safety equipment which you are free to use on the backcountry trips. So, you only need your own a snowboard and boots for the course itself – we can provide further advice if necessary. If you don’t already own your own snowboard or boots, we would recommend you purchase these in resort, so you can benefit from expert advice and the friendly Fernie service.
You will spend 4 days at the Boulder Hut; a remote backcountry cabin in the Purcell mountains, only accessible by helicopter! Before this trip, you will spend two days learning to use your touring equipment in the ‘side country’ just outside of Fernie Alpine Resort boundary. All the remaining coaching will be within the resort; the majority of which will be on ungroomed and ‘off piste’ terrain.
Due to space restrictions at the Boulder Hut, this course is limited to 24 people. The vast majority of participants could be classed as ‘career breakers’; i.e. professionals taking some well-deserved time out from their jobs to enjoy the mountains. However, it’s also common for us to have a small group of ‘gap year’ aged clients.
We provide inclusive airport transfers at set departure times from Calgary Airport; these are available on the advertised start and end date of the course. Fernie is not that well serviced by public transfers, so we strongly recommend you plan your flights around our inclusive service.
Start date of course: meet the transfer at Calgary Airport at 5pm, opt for a flight that lands before 3:30pm.
End date of course: transfer will arrive at Calgary Airport by approx. 1:30pm, opt for a flight that departs after 4:30pm.
We look forward to speaking with you.
Course Guide
