Women-specific Avy courses

[meter-man]

I cannot believe I am going to open this can of worms in the "big skis, small dicks" TGR bro-echo-chamber, but here goes...

I know there's Babes in the Backcountry, but are there any other women-only or women-specific avy courses out there? Preference for CA and splitboarder-friendly.

If not, think ASI or the East Side guide shops would do a women-only course?

(Yes, half the reason is so my chick meets other BC ripper chicks.)

[mtskier]

its not tailored to splitters or in CA but these guys have a female specific course at a sweet yurt in the Swan Mtns of Montana.

www.yurtski.com

WOMEN'S BACKCOUNTRY SKILLS

FIELD COURSE- DEC 18-20

-cost is $195 ($450 value)

-exclusive course for women looking to hone their backcountry skiing skills taught by women who love the backcountry

-course includes 2 night/3day stay at yurtski with all meals, gear haul and guides/instructors

-covers basic backcountry essentials

-must have beacon, shovel, probe, and mode of travel (skins/snowshoes)

-contact YURTSKI at 721-1779 for details and to reserve your spot!

[PNWbrit]

ProGuidng in WA run a bunch of women specific stuff - avy course, intro to BC, chicks only guided trips.

[HansJob]

I didn't know avi's discriminated.

[meter-man]

I didn't know avi's discriminated.

They do if there are only bros in the BC.

Seriously, my girl has a few (15?) days in the backcountry, but probably only on 1 of those days were there ANY other females.

[PNWbrit]

I didn't know avi's discriminated.

But the teaching/learning environment does.

[icelanticskier]

But the teaching/learning environment does.

bullshit. you trippin.

p.s, sign me up

rog

[teledad]

There was a women's avy awareness clinic at Squaw last year, maybe they'll do it again:

http://www.squaw.com/things-to-do/ev...areness-clinic

But it sounds like you're talking about a level 1 or equivalent. I bet ASI or Randall (Donner Summit Avalanche Seminars) would do one if you can find enough women to sign up. Call them and ask.

[PNWbrit]

bullshit.

And with a quick wave of his pixie wand Rog just disappears the reasonably well established concept of educational gender dynamics...... phooff

[Hugh Conway]

And with a quick wave of his pixie wand Rog just disappears the reasonably well established concept of educational gender dynamics...... phooff

he's on a trolling roll that roj is.

[TBS]

PAging Homemadesalsa...

[icelanticskier]

so maybe men and women shouldn't tour/make decisions together in the bc?

rog

[Jonathan S.]

so maybe men and women shouldn't tour/make decisions together in the bc?

Statistically, such mixed-gender ski touring groups are the most dangerous for avalanches.

[PNWbrit]

Statistically, such mixed-gender ski touring groups are the most dangerous for avalanches.

Largely due to the... gender dynamics.

But there's apparently no explaining that (or anything) to Woger. Which in respect of gender dynamics is..... oh the ironing.

[icelanticskier]

great, teach them seperately so that men and women will continue to have an increased risk of fucking up together.

i wonder how this dynamic works for ghey men and women that tour together.

cookie?

rog

[meter-man]

I bet ASI or Randall (Donner Summit Avalanche Seminars) would do one if you can find enough women to sign up. Call them and ask.

Thanks for ASI/Randall tip. My wife seems to think that will work best. She already has 3 or 4 other women who are down.

PM me if you are (1) female or know a female (2) who wants to do a women-only Avy 1 course in CA. Thinking about MLK weekend and probably in the Truckee area. I'll have my wife put something together.

[NoPostholio]

i wonder how this dynamic works for ghey men and women that tour together.

cookie?

rog

No cowhartt or flannell?

[icelanticskier]

No cowhartt or flannell?

cum'on guy, this shitz cerealiz bidnis!

rog

[homemadesalsa]

OK I will bite on this one.

First of all I do know that research has shown that women tend to learn hands-on skills much better in a women-only environment. That does NOT mean that they then must travel with only women in the backcountry. It does mean that they become better at using new vocabulary in sentences that make sense, for example instead of saying "I don't like this, don't want to ski this," she can now say "This is a 38* leeward slope with a Considerable rating. My risk tolerance says no," which is less loaded and easier to objectively evaluate or minimize.

If the instructors are tuned in, then they focus on the easily-observable facts and how to translate that into clear decisions (sounds like non-gender specific education anyway).

I have taught a few of these women's avy courses back in the day. Really fun, really supportive, especially with rescue and beacon skills. Those were through Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. I do know that Yostmark Backcountry Guides is running one in the Tetons this winter, http://www.yostmark.com/events.php but any good guide service can easily put together any kind of custom course with any number of students, although you usually need 5-6 to make it the same price as the standard offerings.

When Ian McCammon came out with his heuristics research a number of years ago (to which Jonathan refers above, with his comment about men in mixed groups showing off), I put together a study for The Avalanche Review about all-women's groups and decision-making in the backcountry. I haven't posted it here http://www.avalanche.org/moonstone/decision-making.php yet, but am working to expand that library.

[Hugh Conway]

Statistically, such mixed-gender ski touring groups are the most dangerous for avalanches.

oohhhhh it's the heuristic babble with miniscule sample size time of year!

[meter-man]

OK I will bite on this one.

First of all I do know that research has shown that women tend to learn hands-on skills much better in a women-only environment. That does NOT mean that they then must travel with only women in the backcountry. It does mean that they become better at using new vocabulary in sentences that make sense, for example instead of saying "I don't like this, don't want to ski this," she can now say "This is a 38* leeward slope with a Considerable rating. My risk tolerance says no," which is less loaded and easier to objectively evaluate or minimize.

If the instructors are tuned in, then they focus on the easily-observable facts and how to translate that into clear decisions (sounds like non-gender specific education anyway).

I have taught a few of these women's avy courses back in the day. Really fun, really supportive, especially with rescue and beacon skills. Those were through Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. I do know that Yostmark Backcountry Guides is running one in the Tetons this winter, http://www.yostmark.com/events.php but any good guide service can easily put together any kind of custom course with any number of students, although you usually need 5-6 to make it the same price as the standard offerings.

When Ian McCammon came out with his heuristics research a number of years ago (to which Jonathan refers above, with his comment about men in mixed groups showing off), I put together a study for The Avalanche Review about all-women's groups and decision-making in the backcountry. I haven't posted it here http://www.avalanche.org/moonstone/decision-making.php yet, but am working to expand that library.

Very cool. Thanks for the intelligent feedback. Do you think the gender of the instructor matters for these courses?

[homemadesalsa]

I'd think that a woman instructor might make the gals more comfortable, but there are some mightily enlightened avy instructors out there who can teach well to most demographics. If there is any way you could pin down a gal named Lel Tone up in Tahoe, she would be amazing. She does snow safety at Squaw.

[icelanticskier]

I'd think that a woman instructor might make the gals more comfortable

if yer gonna do an all gal thang, you may as well go all gal, instructor included. seems kinda silly not to as the gals are wanting insight/information from a "professional" womens perspective. I would think.

rog

[Meadow Skipper]

OK I will bite on this one.

First of all I do know that research has shown that women tend to learn hands-on skills much better in a women-only environment. That does NOT mean that they then must travel with only women in the backcountry. It does mean that they become better at using new vocabulary in sentences that make sense, for example instead of saying "I don't like this, don't want to ski this," she can now say "This is a 38* leeward slope with a Considerable rating. My risk tolerance says no," which is less loaded and easier to objectively evaluate or minimize.

If the instructors are tuned in, then they focus on the easily-observable facts and how to translate that into clear decisions (sounds like non-gender specific education anyway).

I have taught a few of these women's avy courses back in the day. Really fun, really supportive, especially with rescue and beacon skills. Those were through Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. I do know that Yostmark Backcountry Guides is running one in the Tetons this winter, http://www.yostmark.com/events.php but any good guide service can easily put together any kind of custom course with any number of students, although you usually need 5-6 to make it the same price as the standard offerings.

When Ian McCammon came out with his heuristics research a number of years ago (to which Jonathan refers above, with his comment about men in mixed groups showing off), I put together a study for The Avalanche Review about all-women's groups and decision-making in the backcountry. I haven't posted it here http://www.avalanche.org/moonstone/decision-making.php yet, but am working to expand that library.

Nice. Short version: rog is a babbling blowhard idiot and should stfu.

if yer gonna do an all gal thang, you may as well go all gal, instructor included. seems kinda silly not to as the gals are wanting insight/information from a "professional" womens perspective. I would think.

Proof of my premise above.

[icelanticskier]

and yer a gaperific old pivot skiddin telewhackin whistlepig under the chair wearing red coat fucking up turns and owing beers in bar once lifts close joey jong.

truth

rog