Our Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder-Refresher for Backcountry Skiers and Snowboarders course will prepare you for your next winter adventure. Combining a highly experiential in-person training with our self-paced Wilderness Medicine Online course, this program provides all the skills-practice and knowledge needed to handle a range of medical and traumatic emergencies. Practice treating life threats, stabilizing injuries, and evaluating and managing medical and environmental hardships in the backcountry. Additional e-labs apply for the WFR-Refresher. Ages 14+ (all participants under 18, please see additional requirements under Age Policy below).

Please note: This course is designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders who have experience touring in the backcountry.

CERTIFICATIONS: 

• Wilderness First Aid, valid for 2 years

• CPR: AED Adult/Child/Infant, valid for 2 years 

• Wilderness First Responder-Refresher for those holding a current WFR Certification or within 1 year of expiration, valid for 2 years. Additional e-labs apply.

• WA Epinephrine Auto Injector Certification, valid for 2 years

CURRICULUM AND OBJECTIVES: 

• Manage risk through pre trip planning and preventative techniques: communications, 1st Aid Kits, sports nutrition and hydration, rider and equipment checklists, trip itineraries.

• Assess and treat life threatening emergencies: Airway management, hemorrhage control, CPR, shock, and stabilization.

• Practice common trauma techniques: Wound and fracture management, head injuries, neck and spine injury, blunt trauma, burns, dental and eye trauma.

• Develop important judgment skills for the assessment and evacuation of medical and environmental emergencies in the backcountry:  heat and cold emergencies, animal bites and stings, lightning and adverse weather, search and rescue basics, cardiac and respiratory emergencies, diabetes, seizures, anaphylaxis.

LOCATION OVERVIEW:

Mount Baker is located in the beautiful North Cascades mountain range in Northern Washington. The ski area holds the world record for most snowfall in a season—over 1000 inches during the 98’-99’ season. Bring your equipment and prepare for some powder turns. The course will be held in the Mt. Baker Backcountry.

There is no lodging directly at the ski area. They do allow reservation camping in the parking lot and there are a lot of AirBnBs located about 30 mins down the hill in Glacier and Maple Falls. We would recommend booking the rentals more than a month in advance because they do tend to fill up quickly.

Mt. Baker Ski Area

Mt. Baker Hwy

Deming, WA 98244

ITINERARY: 

Day 1

Upper USFS Parking Lot near Heather Meadows Lodge: 8:00AM - 4:00PM

Each day we’ll meet at the USFS trailhead at Heather Meadows for a preparation, snow report check, packing session, and itinerary brief. We’ll set out into the Mount Baker backcountry conducting skills sessions and scenarios en route to one of our ski summits. Itineraries will be solely dependent on avalanche and weather conditions. Total vertical feet ~1000-2000 feet and 4-6 miles of travel depending on snow conditions and planned route.

Day 2

Upper USFS Parking Lot near Heather Meadows Lodge: 8:00AM - 4:00PM

*Note: The itinerary is fluid and is subject to change for safety and weather/ environmental factors including wind, rain/ snow, Avalanche conditions, Air Quality Index, trail closures, traffic considerations, etc.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The class is held at the ski area and will be spent moving through the snowy and icy landscape. Consideration should be taken to ensure you are fit enough to embark on these trails. Students must be able to ascend 2000 vertical feet and backcountry tour/ transition through 4-6 miles of strenuous uphill and downhill terrain. Please contact BMG if you would like more information about hiking fitness requirements.

AGE POLICY:

All of our programs have a minimum age requirement based on physical intensity and/or the mature nature of the online and in-person content. Since this is a high-adventure program, anyone between the ages of 16-18 needs consent from a guardian in order to participate. Anyone under 16 who wishes to participate must be accompanied by a chaperone (who must also enroll in the course). We reserve the right to make exceptions to this policy depending on circumstances. If you have any questions, please reach out to info@backcountrymedical.org to see whether an exception is possible.

MATERIALS & GEAR:  

This course is held snow, rain, or shine and will require clothing suited for any weather. You will be traveling into the backcountry and will need touring gear. The following is a list of gear you will need to bring with you:

• 35-45L Backpack

• Avalanche Beacon (>70% battery life with alkaline batteries)

• Avalanche Rescue Shovel and Probe

• Touring Skis or Splitboard (snowshoes may also be appropriate with downhill gear depending on course dates; please inquire), Skins, Boots, Poles (collapsible preferable for snowboarders)

• Gore-Tex/Waterproof Rain Shell Jacket and Pants

• Warm insulating layer (large puffy, must be synthetic if cannot fit under a waterproof layer)

• Mid-level insulating layer (small puffy, fleece jacket, R1, etc.)

• Base layer top and bottom (long sleeve synthetic material or wool, no cotton)

• Warm hat/Sun hat depending on weather forecast

• Neck gaiter/Buff

• Sunglasses (better for uphill travel)

• Goggles

• Gloves (minimum 2 pairs, recommended to bring 3. Pro tip: insulated fishing gloves work great in the PNW.)

• Ski socks

• Watch or phone with second counter (for measuring Heart rate/Respiratory rate)

• Inclinometer: to measure slope angle (some compasses have one, download an app on your smartphone, BCA inclinometer, pole-clinometer, etc.)

• Food and water for the day (Pro TIp: Bring a thermos with a hot drink to help stay warm.)

• Optional items: hand warmers, extra socks and/or change of clothes to change into after the day is over.

Whiteout Navigation Lab:

• Topographic map of the area (Mount Shuksan USGS quadrangle, downloadable maps on phone in CalTopo, Gaia GPS, Onyx, or other comparable app.)

• Compass

***Notebooks are optional, a manual with lecture notes is provided at the beginning of the course and can be used to take notes.

CANCELLATION & TRANSFER POLICY:

Backcountry Medical Guides has designed our course model to be student-focused with logistics and risk management in mind. We maintain small, intimate group sizes to facilitate low instructor to student ratios, active training itineraries, and high-value experiential education.Thus, we have outlined a straight forward Cancellation and Transfer Policy to assist in our goals:

FOR ALL PROGRAMS:

UPON REGISTRATION: 25% of course tuition is a non refundable deposit and holds your place in the course and covers all associated costs with registration. 

CANCELLATIONS:

*Before 1 month of the start of the event:  Student receives a 75% refund, excluding 25% deposit.

*Between 1 month and 2 weeks:  Student receives a 50% refund. 

*Within 2 weeks of the course: Students will not receive a refund, however 50% of course fees can be applied towards additional BMG programs. 

*Any cancellations made by Backcountry Medical Guides will result in a full refund (including 25% deposit) or transfer to an available course of equal value. 

TRANSFERS:

Participants are allowed to transfer to a different course if done so 1 month or more, prior to the start date of the originally registered course. To transfer there is a $40 non-refundable transfer fee. Only one transfer is allowed per registration and absolutely no refunds will be granted after the transfer. 

For transfers made after 1 month before the original registered course date, 50% of course fees can be used to transfer into a different course. Participants will be liable to pay the remaining balance after 50% of course fees have been applied to the course.