Terrain for Beginners

[PeteJohnson]

What terrain would you suggest for kids around 15 who are just starting this sport?

[nomensteven]

One thing that is very important is staying close to the car. A lot of the times with beginners you will run into gear problems, tired legs, etc. so you should try to never be much farther then a short hike from the parking lot.

[CookieMonster]

Do you mean backcountry skiing?

ParksCanada developed a terrain classification system with three ratings.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/visit7a7_E.asp

Ratings for backcountry ski areas in the national parks.

http://www.pep.bc.ca/hazard_prepared...AN_Terrain.pdf

Some photo ratings ( under "Avalanche Terrain Maps" ):

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/glacier/visit/a9.aspx

[ISL]

Assuming that you're asking about avalanche terrain:

Flat.

Grab Bruce Tremper's 'Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain'. Read it along with the 15 year old. Talk about what's in it together. By the time you're done, you'll know enough to modify "Flat" into something more interesting.

Other texts will suffice, but SAIAT is modern and readable. Taking an Avy 1 course together or, as a start, attending an avalanche awareness seminar (they're usually free and offered by outdoor retailers or community service organizations).

Admins: Spammer?

[flapdu]

I accept with information:One thing that is very important is staying close to the car. A lot of the times with beginners you will run into gear problems, tired legs.

[BFD]

good luck,
I have two sons 15 and 17. Since they were 6 all their gear has had touring bindings. I do not know where you are located. We have some very steep terrain that is easily accessible. A 15 year old can cover some ground. They are not likely to want to hang by the car. By 15 kids today are pretty good skiers and have probably watched a few movies. They are going to want to get with the program. My wife is a nervous wreck. I can't even go away on trips she wants me to be around to supervise. Be carefull what you start. They don't understand beginner terrain. They see it as skiing the gnar.

[Shadam]

when they have read every book even closely related to ski touring and watched 12 extra turns and every similar film/doco, ask them why most countries require a minimum age of 17 to get a drivers licence.

[wetcoaster]

This depends entirely on how well they listen to you.