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This off piste focussed snowboard camp combines all mountain coaching and backcountry training with a laid-back mountain town vibe. Run from powder-heavy Fernie, there is no better place to develop your thirst for untamed terrain and improve your skills in the soft stuff. An epic finale is the goal, with a four-day backcountry touring trip from the Boulder Hut, a remote cabin in the Purcell Range.
This four week camp is achieved by combining a 2-week All Mountain Improvement Camp with our 2-week Tour & Explore Backcountry Camp. You can make this a 6-week experience by tagging on another 2-week All Mountain Camp at the start of your trip; on average 1/3 of participants have opted for the 6-week package.
Don't hold off for too long; there is just one date available for six lucky snowboarders! This will sell 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 riding at its best and all within the safety of excellent avalanche controlled areas.
The Boulder Hut sits within 15,000 acres of skiable terrain at elevation ranging from 1,500 - 2,800m, so you know you are in for a good time!
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.
During the All Mountain Improvement Camp stage of your experience, 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.
In the final two weeks, we teach you how to split-board before taking 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.
There's an introduction to split-boarding int he Fernie side country - just outside the resort boundary - so you can get to grips with touring.
Saving the best till last! At the end of the camp, 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 free skiing, 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, there are two further days of group coaching within the resort boundary and introduction to split boarding before heading off to the Boulder Hut on the backcountry trip.
In the unlikely event that the ratio of snowboarders at the same level : 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 experience.
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 part of the experience is limited to 12 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. .
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're glad you asked! The 4-week camp is achieved by doing a 2-week All Mountain Improvement Camp before our 2-week Tour & Explore Backcountry Camp.
The first half will be one of our 2-week All Mountain Improvement Camps – you’ll be exploring the best terrain and conditions Fernie has to offer in small ability matched groups (ratio of 6 skiers to 1 instructor). Delivering it in this way gives us a larger pool of riders to work with, ensuring well matched ability groups.
The second half start with 2-days of further coaching within the resort boundary, an optional CAT Ski day, before an introduction to split-boarding in the Fernie side-country & then a recreational avalanche awareness course which includes further touring. There is then a much needed rest day, before you set off to the Boulder Hut – a heli-accessed cabin deep in the Purcell backcountry! Finish of your trip with two days of free riding (or rest!) in Fernie.
You can make this a 6-week experience by tagging on an additional 2-week All Mountain Improvement Camp - it makes sense to add this at the start of your trip.
We look forward to speaking with you.
Course Guide
