By CHRIS EPSKAMP
MT HOTHAM is rightfully synonymous with Australia’s premier backcountry ski and snowboard terrain.
Just like the rest of the world, searching for powder and solitude outside the resort boundary, earning your turns, and climbing the nearby peaks has been booming in the last few years.
Once the realm of a few hardcore telemark skiers, the evolution of alpine touring and split–boarding gear has seen the local backcountry busier than any other time in recent history.
And just like the rest of the world, the backcountry has its own hazards and challenges that have seen the evolution in professional guiding services.
At Mt Hotham, on July 3, the first of many tours, the inaugural Women’s Intro to Backcountry Tour, was run by Vic Alps Backcountry, based out of Tirol Sports in the Arlberg at Mt Hotham.
After jumping through a multitude of hoops with resort management and Parks Victoria, plus receiving backing from Adventure Guides Australia, the inaugural course provided vindication to its founder, Hagen Berghaus, and a wonderful opportunity to the participants.
Targeted at women new to the backcountry, the day tour was held in harrowing weather conditions, providing the perfect environment to learn risk mitigation, navigation and basic backcountry ski and board skills.
Deep powder was supposed to be the order of the day, but a change in the forecast pushed the real powder day back 24 hours, leaving some challenging conditions but still loads of fun in the trees amongst the wind–drifts of fresh snow.
With a simple aim of getting already competent skiers and boarders familiar with all the backcountry specific equipment, how it works and then taking it out and doing it for real, the course offers a excellent pathway into experiencing and exploring all that the Victorian Alps has to offer in winter.
Kelly Van Den Berg, Vic Alps Backcountry’s lead female splitboard guide, explains the rationale for running a women's only tour.
"The idea came from identifying a growing interest from woman to get beyond the boundaries," she said.
"There are already some amazing, skilled and competent woman that have been enjoying the backcountry forever, but I would say from my own experiences that up until the last couple of years, the backcountry has been a predominantly male populated pursuit.
"The Woman's Intro Day is not just about getting out and touring with a group of woman, it is focused on challenging and empowering woman with the knowledge, skills and the questioning to keep themselves safe, make their own informed decisions and be an equal contributor to any touring group.
"Women also have different approaches to learning and communication styles, so teaching these skills in a likeminded group of enthusiasts maximises the learning experience without having to worry about keeping up or being self–conscience about asking questions!"
Observing part of the tour from behind the lens, it was obvious the group was relaxed, enthusiastic and clearly enjoying the experience.
The laughter, chatter, questions and smiles told the story. Kelly agrees.
"We felt that the tour was a great success and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive," she said.
"Just seeing all the ladies with massive smiles, hooting and yipping on their descents, engaging with great interest and firing heaps of questions at the guides constantly on some of the knowledge activities such as digging a snow profile pit, was encouraging and rewarding feedback in itself."
The weather conditions on the day were challenging, but Kelly said she likes to call the weather encountered being "real life conditions".
"It's all part of it," she said.
"Making decisions on where to go and indeed if to go, is all part of the decision–making process that we all need to consider to maximise safety and enjoyment when touring beyond the ropes.
"We were fortunate on the day to have some fresh snow which meant fresh turns for the ladies in wind protected aspects in the great terrain options that Hotham has to offer.
"The cold temperatures and snow falling throughout the day dictated the flow of the tour, keeping everyone busy and on the move to keep warm, but it also meant the snow conditions were pristine throughout the tour.
"I'm super excited to be involved with such a fantastic on–mountain family run business that supports and promotes inclusiveness of snow enthusiasts from all walks of life to get out and enjoy our awesome winter playground.
"Vic Alps Backcountry has a fantastic mix of both male and female guides all focussed on safety, skills and fun."
The Alpine Ski Touring Specialist on the tour, Wendy Skene, said it was "a fantastic experience being out in the backcountry with a group of strong, like–minded skiers and boarders.
"I hope this is the start of seeing more women out there safely enjoying the backcountry with skill and confidence," she said.
Vic Alps Backcountry founder and owner of Tirol Sports Ski Shop at Hotham, Hagen Berghaus, explains how it all began.
"Starting Vic Alps Backcountry was an idea my wife Lissi and I had when we bought the ski shop," he said.
"We are both passionate ski/split tourers and adventurers, preferring to be out beyond the ropes in our own time.
"Our focus initially was to build the ski shop business and have a solid base from which to grow.
"We had always toyed with the idea of a backcountry business but had been too busy with the day to day running of the shop to take the idea further.
"When COVID hit and we were sitting around not renting skis, my wife said, ‘Hey why not try it, we now have the time!’
"So we dedicated the 2020 winter to getting it all happening.
"We have been very lucky to collaborate and be enabled by some very long–standing local businesses which has allowed it to all come together.
"Can't thanks David from Adventure Guides Australia enough for his support."
Vic Alps Backcountry plans to provide a range of tours, starting with intro tours which aim to bridge the gap for those capable and competent in resort, but wanting to take that next step beyond the ropes.
For those wanting some more intermediate and above tours, Hotham has some great options which their guides can show you.
On the success of the first tour, Hagen said, "I would say the inaugural women’s tour was an amazing success!
"Our truly talented and skilled guides Kelly and Wendy (helped by Lilian) went above and beyond in their preparation and conduct of the tour.
"We feel so honoured that such a great bunch of women can pass their passion and skills on to others.
"We had some great feedback and now offer an Intro to BC Plus.
"A two–day tour, the extra day focuses on more on the riding and touring rather than the info–dense first day.
"This + day would be also suitable for women that already know how to use their touring gear and would like to join us for some intermediate touring, but don’t require the first day’s intro."
The second and last Women’s Only Intro tour (+) for this season will run on July 31/August 1.
"We have some scheduled tours on our website, however sometimes the weather doesn’t exactly work out," Hagen said.
"So we are working on building a pool of talented local guides who will be available for short notice bookings, group or private trips available."
Anyone interested in joining a fixed date tour or having their own private adventure should check out www.vicalpsbackcountry.com.au
My what a difference a day makes.
The days after the tour provided the best fresh snow of the 2021 season so far, which goes to re–enforce the number one rule of skiing the backcountry – pick your days carefully and be ready to go when conditions are good.
Of course the other rule (if the snow conditions are questionable) is that there is no bad day on the snow!
Get out there!
