ICYMI: Notes from Backcountry Beta

Backcountry Beta: Taking Your First Steps Into the Backcountry

Backcountry Beta is a free virtual education series hosted by Coalition Snow and TREW Gear, designed to help people like you get into backcountry skiing and snowboarding. We want to be really clear: BB does not replace formal training. Instead, it provides foundational knowledge and helps refresh skills for those looking to explore beyond the resort.

In our first session of the 25/26 season, we welcomed Coalition Ambassadors Jillian Raymond and Fern Hardin to share their knowledge with people new to backcountry skiing and snowboarding, so that they can be more informed and more prepared.

What you'll find below is an overview of what they shared in our first Backcountry Beta session in January. Register for upcoming sessions here.

Meet Our Speakers

Jillian Raymond (Tahoma, California)

Started backcountry skiing as a splitboarder in 2005 and transitioned to skiing
Active member of Tahoe Backcountry Women
Key insight: "I had sort of this realization at a certain point...I actually don't think I could save his life. Like, I completely trust him, but what am I doing? How am I contributing?"

Fern Hardin (Park City, Utah)

Started backcountry skiing 8 years ago
Joined the Wasatch Mountain Club to find partners and learn routes
Her approach: "I read [Skiing and Avalanche Terrain] cover to cover. I spent weeks...going to this ski shop...every day for like two months."

Getting Started: First Steps Into the Backcountry

Community & Connection

Attend free film festivals and events - volunteer to get tickets and meet people
Visit local ski shops - build relationships, ask about used gear and rentals
Join backcountry clubs (Wasatch Mountain Club, Tahoe Backcountry Women's Club)
Connect with your local avalanche center - they often list safe beginner zones and upcoming events
Explore Facebook forums - find partners and used gear

Start Small & Safe

Try uphill routes at ski resorts - Many resorts have uphill policies (6pm-8am in some areas)
- Test borrowed gear in a controlled environment
- No commitment before investing in equipment
Nordic/XC skiing - A lower-cost entry point to backcountry travel
Summer/fall reconnaissance - Hike trails to identify future ski lines
- Builds mountain familiarity and fitness
- "Start to just look and think about the mountains a bit differently," Jillian said.

Essential Gear

The Non-Negotiables (Safety Gear)

Transceiver/Beacon
Shovel
Probe

Critical note: "The gear does nothing if you don't know how to use it." Practice regularly at beacon parks and rescue training sessions.

Additional Essentials

Backcountry-specific skis or splitboard
AT bindings and boots
Skins (can't go uphill without them!)
Backpack with dedicated avalanche gear pocket - easy access matters

Getting Gear Affordably

Look for used gear at ski shops
Check Facebook forums for people selling old equipment
Connect with nonprofits like Tahoe Backcountry Alliance (sometimes offer free gear)
Rent before you buy
Jillian's tip: "I love to volunteer...if they give me a ticket, I'm in."

Education is Essential Gear

"Even though it's not a piece of gear, but you need education, you need trusted partners." - Jillian Raymond

Recommended Training

Avalanche Level 1 course - covers terrain management, snowpack evaluation, rescue practice, and risk mitigation
Rescue training courses
Field guidebooks for tracking snowpack conditions
Practice beacon searches at resort beacon parks

Key Resources

Read "Skiing and Avalanche Terrain" by Bruce Tremper
Follow your local avalanche center's forecasts
Watch previous Backcountry Beta recordings on Coalition Snow's YouTube channel

Challenges & How to Navigate Them

Mental & Physical Challenges

Time pressure - "Grant yourself...no rush involved in your day...you've got to be able to make really good decisions"
Gear management - Practice transitions, organize your pack efficiently
The first 5-10 minutes - Give yourself time to warm up and find your rhythm
Variable conditions - "50% of the time, it's good...but then there's shitty exits, zipper crust, breakable ice, bushwhacking"

Partner Selection & Risk Management

"Some of the statistics show that groups that have a woman in them are more likely to avoid avalanches because they're more likely to intuitively speak up." - Jillian Raymond

Finding the Right Partners:

Look for people who respect your risk tolerance
Establish group rules: "If one of us bails, we all bail," Fern said
Choose partners you can trust with your life
Be wary of those who skip safety protocols (beacon checks, etc.)

Managing Risk:

Know your risk threshold - and own it
Don't go out on days that exceed your comfort level
Track the snowpack early and consistently
"Regardless of all the other people that are going to do it, I'm not going to" - Fern on trusting her instincts

The Power of Speaking Up

"When you have that something in the back of your head that's like, I don't feel good about this. Speak up. Don't keep it in." - Fern Hardin

Your intuition is valuable
Groups that communicate openly are safer
It's okay to turn around, even on bluebird days
Check in with partners constantly about conditions and comfort levels

Overcoming Being Risk-Averse

Fern's approach:

Ensure baseline knowledge is solid (forecast, weather, conditions)
Discuss the route thoroughly with partners beforehand
Always have a bail option
Start with familiar terrain, then slowly expand
Build trust in yourself and your decision-making over time

Jillian's approach:

Ask yourself: "What am I nervous about specifically?"
Identify if concerns are real risks or general anxiety
Try spring skiing when snowpack is more stable
Add tools to your kit that address specific concerns
Remember: nervousness is your body protecting you

Absolute No's

Jillian: Considerable danger days - "I won't go out on a considerable day...or I'll go somewhere that's a really low slope"

Fern: High danger days (for the past 5 years) - "I know there's a lot of factors out there that I can't control in a high danger day"

Wisdom to Remember

Everyone Was a Beginner

"Everybody was a beginner at some point...everybody who's out there, either they're passing you in the skin track, or they're friendly in the parking lot. Like they were a beginner at one point, too." - Jillian Raymond

Be Patient & Humble

"Be patient with your time in the mountains and the mountains themselves, they're gonna do whatever the hell they want"
The uphill is often the best part - enjoy it with friends and good snacks
Adventure skiing includes the challenging exits and variable conditions

Trust Yourself

Follow your intuition
Speak up when something doesn't feel right
"Owning my own risk threshold...and being totally comfortable with the days that I choose to not [go out]" - Jillian

Have Fun!

"Go out to a nice lower angle zone where it's safer and you don't have to worry as much and just go enjoy the mountains." - Fern Hardin

Clothing Recommendations

Key Principle: Don't sweat on the way up or you'll freeze on the way down

Jillian's setup:

Wool base layers
Bibs (for powder skiing)
Usually three jackets (two worn, one packed)
Two pairs of gloves
Multiple buffs and hats
Always carries a thick puffy