How did you find the right crew?

twinkle_toesSo last season I finally managed to save up enough to get my first AT setup.

Needless to say, I'm hooked. I dropped a fat chunk on a -18C sleeping bag, 38L pack, lighter skis, etc. to spend as much time in the bc as possible. I'm looking to do loads of hut trips, build jumps, and work towards being more valuable in the bc with my knowledge/skills so I can be a reliable partner if shit goes south.

Last season I managed to find a couple friends to tour with....

One friend was still learning to ski, but also new to the backcountry. So we weren't at the same skiing level. She also moved to Tofino which sucks.
Another friend ( a snowboarder that was learning to ski ) was decent on the downhill, and also down to build smaller jumps! (I'd eventually start pushing her to build some bigger ones lol) but she's moving to California.
I also had another partner who drove me crazy.... she wasn't a "morning person" and would sleep in, wake up at 11am, and take her sweet ass time getting ready. Meanwhile I was up at 6am ready to inhale my breakfast and hit the skin track asap. She also preferred to ski down on the skin track ??? Like wtf
Another friend and her boyfriend were a great pair to tour with, but they moved back to the Netherlands :(

I know it's only July but I'm already starting to get antsy over not having a sick crew to go out touring with when the snow starts to fall. I know it takes years to find the right people who are at a similar skill level, and understand/trust/push each other.

How did you find your crew? Any tips? Or is it just trial and error?

I have had a lot of different touring partners over the last decade or so of backcountry skiing... needless to say, partners are always going to come and go unless youre both settled into the same routine, really... I have rarely had the same crew from year to year - especially lately as circumstances seem to be ever changing with the whole big rona thing.

Really the best thing to do is get involved and try to meet new people in your local community who have the same goals as you do. I have met plenty of people via facebook groups, attending backcountry events, and, at least back when it was way more active a decade ago - here on NS.

Something that has actually worked well for me is going on solo-missions. Going to the trailhead of a relatively mellow slope on a low avalanche day, and skiing non-avy terrain. I have met folks on the skin track on plenty of occasions who ended up being touring partners just by doing this.

"The Touring Partner Thread" on here has worked out for me.
Also just skiing at the home resort I have had people approach me and ask if I wanted to go touring after they watched me for a while.

Facebook groups in your area is the fastest way find people. Also, when you're skiing at your local resort look at the gear people are wearing. Usually you can tell by their gear if they tour. Chat up people in the lift line, on the lift, on the mountain, you're eventually gonna find somebody who will tour with you. They might even have a crew already and you can join them.

Another good way to find people is to do an avy 1/2 course. All of the people in the class will likely be looking to go touring ASAP.

Most avalanche forecasting centers have a fall fundraiser those are good places to meet like minded people.

Education is a great way to meet people. Sign up for refreshers, do an AST, or consider redoing a course you've already done to meet likeminded folks and sharpen your skills at the same time.

Good luck with the search, and be picky!

I'd echo what was said above.

In addition to educational events, going to guidebook launch parties can be a good way to meet a crew.

If you're striking out with those, buy a sled and attract people that way, hang out at the guidebook section of a mountaineering shop until someone else shows up and strike up a conversation, or do the same at a backcountry gate. Full disclosure, I haven't tried any of those but imagine they could work.

If you're a lady in the Sea to Sky (which it looks like you are) apply to Mountain Mentors this year. Covid meant that last season was a little lacklustre due to lack of in-person events (like the group hut trips of years past), but getting paired up with an experienced mentor was still awesome. It's a great program run by great people and they're really good at pairing up people with similar interests and compatible goals.

For a more expensive option, I've been touring with the Aurora Backcountry crew. The price is similar to getting a pass at a ski hill, but you're instead going out on guided tours every weekend (and sometimes mid-week if we can get the numbers). You get to bug the guides with all your questions, take advantage of their local knowledge about what to ski when, and because it's a pass-based system you're skiing with the same people week-to-week rather than whatever random tourist decides to show up. Plus they have the connections to get a sled for access up the logging roads or to do a heli-drop day when the conditions look perfect. I've met a number of rad people through the group that I'll tour with independently now, but have also bought a pass again for this season because it's been incredible for building my confidence and knowledge in the backcountry.

Beyond that there's facebook pages like Backcountry Ski Ladies of Vancouver and South Coast Touring pages. I haven't been brave enough to meet up to ski with random facebook people yet, but I've heard that the SCT page has led to at least one happy marriage... so you may find more than just a ski partner.

Just keep getting out there and you will find people. I pulled up to a trailhead at midnight in June to ski some powder the next morning and ended up meeting someone doing the same thing. We ended up getting up at 4 am and having a great day skiing, now they are my go to touring buddy. Its hard to find people that want to camp, go far, and get up early but if you're out there talk to people you run in to and maybe ask to join them. Worst they can say is no.

paige.If you're a lady in the Sea to Sky (which it looks like you are) apply to Mountain Mentors this year. Covid meant that last season was a little lacklustre due to lack of in-person events (like the group hut trips of years past), but getting paired up with an experienced mentor was still awesome. It's a great program run by great people and they're really good at pairing up people with similar interests and compatible goals.

For a more expensive option, I've been touring with the Aurora Backcountry crew. The price is similar to getting a pass at a ski hill, but you're instead going out on guided tours every weekend (and sometimes mid-week if we can get the numbers). You get to bug the guides with all your questions, take advantage of their local knowledge about what to ski when, and because it's a pass-based system you're skiing with the same people week-to-week rather than whatever random tourist decides to show up. Plus they have the connections to get a sled for access up the logging roads or to do a heli-drop day when the conditions look perfect. I've met a number of rad people through the group that I'll tour with independently now, but have also bought a pass again for this season because it's been incredible for building my confidence and knowledge in the backcountry.

Beyond that there's facebook pages like Backcountry Ski Ladies of Vancouver and South Coast Touring pages. I haven't been brave enough to meet up to ski with random facebook people yet, but I've heard that the SCT page has led to at least one happy marriage... so you may find more than just a ski partner.

Omg! That is so helpful!

I had no idea the Aurora Backcountry crew existed... and yes I am a lady in the Sea to Sky area :) Would love to meet up sometime this season and get some laps in if you're keen! I got a Grouse / Whistler pass this year. But I'm definitely going to look into that group.

And yea, SCT page can be a little intimidating... but that's awesome it led to a happy marriage ha!

=JP=Just keep getting out there and you will find people. I pulled up to a trailhead at midnight in June to ski some powder the next morning and ended up meeting someone doing the same thing. We ended up getting up at 4 am and having a great day skiing, now they are my go to touring buddy. Its hard to find people that want to camp, go far, and get up early but if you're out there talk to people you run in to and maybe ask to join them. Worst they can say is no.

Haha wow, that's a sick way to meet someone eh, funny how life throws things your way when you least expect it

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