Backcountry Safety Camps 2025

For 2025 the POC Backcountry Safety Camps expanded to two camps, one at Craigieburn and a second at The Remarkables. This gave more young adults access to backcountry and avalanche safety education targeted at their interests and learning style. Backing from the POC team made the camps possible and minimised cost to participants.

The first camp slotted into the school holidays at The Remarkables, with Queenstown Mountain Guides. 8 young adults from the southern lakes had the chance to learn from Sam Smoothy, Will Rowntree, Jordan Raymond, and Sarah Voss. Those four brought a relatable teaching style combined with real world experience as professional skiers, ski patrollers, ski mountaineers, and mountain guides, for the kids to aspire to.

Learning consisted of a morning classroom session, and then progressing to snow science, terrain recognition, and rescue drills in the Lake Alta Cirque. This was topped off with applying the fresh knowledge through what we're all passionate about, skiing a couple of laps in the Alta Chutes.

Camp two was once again hosted at Craigieburn Valley Ski Area with Alpine Guides. The mix of steep ski terrain, friendly club field, and the whole crew staying overnight at the lodges combines to make a great learning environment. 9 young adults from the Canterbury region attended. They learnt from professional mountain guides Jim Young and Dave Lewis, with Gritt's own Kenji Boekholt and Jamesa Hampton supporting.

August was lean for snow in the club fields, so without the distraction of powder or jumps the attendees got stuck into learning avalanche theory, ski touring technique, and rescue skills. A full day on the hill was followed by a group feast at the Craigieburn lodges and an evening classroom session.

Day two focused on more advanced rescue drills and avalanche terrain management, with the guides getting kids to step into leadership roles. All of the attendees from both camps received their ASC1 certificate on completion of the course, as well as advice from the guides on what their next steps could be in the ongoing backcountry safety learning journey.

A huge thanks are needed to the supporters who believe in making backcountry safety education more accessible, without you this wouldn't be possible. So thanks to POC, Inspire Foundation, Craigieburn, Alpine Guides, Queenstown Mountain Guides, and The Remarkables for your support!