Essential Guide to Backcountry Basics and Avalanche Awareness

Backcountry Basics and Avalanche Awareness Guide

If you're beginning your quest for untracked powder in the backcountry, this course is the starting line. Learn essential backcountry skills from big mountain snowboarder Nick Russell and critical avalanche awareness techniques from avalanche instructor Sam Thackeray. From layering to skin track etiquette to understanding terrain, heuristics, and avalanche emergency activation, this course will enable you to make smarter decisions, find better snow, and have more fun with safety as the top priority.

Buy now

Entering the backcountry can be intimidating and dangerous.

But learning fundamental lessons from expert big mountain snowboarder Nick Russell will help you on your journey to safely enjoy untracked lines. “Mountain safety is one course that you never graduate from," says Russell. “Don't expect to be riding Alaskan spines your first year out in the backcountry. We're going to start small and work our way up."

Start now.

Nick thoughtfully designed his course as a stepping stone to access those dream lines.

"At first, you might be going to some crowded trailheads, maybe the runs are going to be tracked out. Maybe you're just splitboarding on the side of the resort, and that's okay. Starting small is the way to get to the top."

Start now.

Supported by White Claw

Learn more.

The best way to learn about avalanches is before they happen.

"For a long time the focus of avalanche education was very heavy on the science," avalanche instructor Sam Thackeray says. But science alone hasn't been sufficient. "If you look at avalanche accidents, many people have education and knowledge of what's happening with the snowpack. But they still make decisions that end with them being caught in or triggering an avalanche. So we went back to the drawing board of how people make decisions with the information."

Learn how to make safer decisions in the backcountry, which will enable you to find better snow and, ultimately, have more fun.

Start now.

"Not all avalanches are created equal."

It's critical to understand terrain and the variable conditions and mechanics that create different types of avalanche problems. By developing a deeper, objective understanding of the signs of instability in the backcountry, you'll be able to make a more informed decisions. Ultimately, those decisions will keep you safer and could potentially save your life.

Start now.

Having a plan is critical.

Your instructor, Sam Thackeray, knows firsthand that an evenhanded approach to emergency situations is critical. “You need to be competent in taking care of one another if you do find yourself in this situation," says Thackery. "You need to have a plan of what you're going to do if you have somebody injured and how to get them out of the backcountry.”

Start now.

What Students Are Saying

Start now.

- Jerry W.

"Great series! I've only been splitboarding a few years and found some great tips to make it a more enjoyable experience and something you want to do more and more! Thanks!"

Save $19 with the bundle.

Enroll in the Backcountry bundle featuring both Nick Russell's Guide to Backcountry Basics and the Essential Avalanche Awareness Guide to save big.

Enroll now.

Avalanche Awareness Guide

If you're interested in exploring the backcountry to access untracked powder, a thorough awareness of avalanche safety is absolutely essential. In this course with avalanche educator and splitboard guide Sam Thackeray, you'll learn the basics of avalanche education. Sam teaches techniques and tricks that he and his team of professionals use to keep themselves and their clients safe. Sam's avalanche curriculum app...

View product

Nick Russell's Guide to Backcountry Basics

Interested in safely riding untracked powder in the backcountry? There's a lot to learn. Especially with safety as the top priority. In his introductory course, big mountain snowboarder Nick Russell shares a lifetime of knowledge and information essential to begin your journey in the backcountry. Russell shares a range of insights on reading avalanche forecasts, layering, gear, route-finding, your pre-departure c...

View product

What's in the course?

This bundle includes two separate courses comprised of 21 video lessons: Nick Russell's Guide to Backcountry Basics and The Essential Avalanche Awareness Guide. Here is the table of contents:

Nick Russell's Guide to Backcountry Basics

Welcome
1. Meet Nick Russell (3 mins)

2. Course Overview (3 mins)

Before You Go

3. Pre-Departure Checklist (10 mins)

4. How to Properly Layer (9 mins)

5. Gear (19 mins)

6. Partners and Mentors (3 mins)

7. Understanding Avalanche Forecasts (7 mins)

On the Mountain

8. On the Slope (10 mins)

9. Splitboard Transitions (3 mins)

Emergency Activation

10. Emergency Activation (18 mins)

11. How to Build a Rescue Sled (3 mins)

Thank You (2 mins)

Essential Guide to Avalanche Awareness

Introduction
1. Meet Sam Thackeray (2 mins)

2. Course Overview (2 mins)

Essential Avalanche Information

3. Heuristics and Human Factors (9 mins)
4. Teamwork Is Critical (9 mins)

5. Avalanche Problems (16 mins)

6. Understanding Terrain and Slope Angles (10 mins)

7. The Importance of Making a Plan (6 mins)

8. Emergency Rescue (11 mins)
9. Thank You (2 mins)

Get instant access.

FAQs

Who is Essential Guide to Backcountry Basics and Avalanche Awareness for?

This is a foundational class consisting of two separate courses: Backcountry Basics taught by big mountain snowboarder Nick Russell and Essential Avalanche Awareness taught by Avalanche instructor Sam Thackeray.

This bundle is perfect for anyone interested in safely enjoying and/or learning more about the backcountry. Whether novice or advanced, Nick Russell almost certainly has a few nuggets of knowledge that will help improve your experience in the snow. Russell covers topics ranging from avalanche forecasting to gear to layering, to partners and mentors to splitboard transitions, skin track etiquette, emergency activation, how to build a rescue sled, general backcountry philosophy, emergency preparedness, and more.

The Essential Avalanche Awareness Guide is intended to build and strengthen fundamental knowledge about avalanche safety.

The course covers topics ranging from heuristics and human factors to teamwork to avalanche problems, different types of avalanches, what causes them, understanding terrain, signs of danger, trigger points, making a plan, emergency rescue, avalanche recovery, quizzes to test and refresh your knowledge and more.

The full, time-stamped curriculum is listed above.

What do I need for this course?

Just an internet connection. While Nick and Sam provide information on where to get the tools necessary for backcountry adventures, you can begin to apply the lessons from these courses on your own time from the comfort of your home.

How long do I have access to this course?

When you buy it, it is yours! Rewatch and reference whenever you need a refresh.

In what currency is the price?

Prices are in USD.

What if I don't like it?

While we are sure you'll love the course, it is strongly recommended to watch preview videos before you buy to get a sense of what it's all about, as we are not able to offer refunds.

Am I ready for anything after I take this?

No. As Nick says, "Mountain safety is one course that you never graduate from."

Recreating in the mountains and wilderness can be deadly. This is an introductory course intended to provide useful information to help you in your journey, however, we still highly recommend completing recreational or professional Avalanche Level 1 and/or Level 2 courses to acquire as much knowledge as possible. We just want to help you be as safe as possible, and the learning never ends.

By accessing this course, you agree to release, indemnify and hold Nick Russell, Sam Thackeray, Inspire Courses, The Inertia, and affiliates harmless from any and all losses, damages, claims, actions of any kind and injury (including death) arising out of or relating to your use of this course and/or the inherent danger associated with entering the backcountry and recreating in the wilderness.

About Nick Russell

Based in Truckee, California, Nick Russell is pushing the boundaries of progression in the backcountry – splitboarding the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains and exploring new territory as much as possible.

Russell has notched segments in scores of drool-inducing snowboarding films and has used his platform to champion environmental and social causes. Russell grew up snowboarding at Stratton, Vermont and has made first descents in Bolivia, India and the United States – championing his own brand of DIY, foot-powered splitboarding with friends and mentors like Jeremy Jones.

Enroll now.

About Sam Thackeray

Sam is a splitboard guide for Payette Powder Guides in McCall, Idaho. He's also a fireman and avalanche educator, dedicated to enjoying the outdoors and keeping everyone safe while doing it.

Enroll now.