Progressive Winter Ski Touring Series

Host: Evan Martin

This winter, I’m hosting a short series of ski touring trips focused on skill development. The goal is to move gradually through trips of increasing commitment and complexity, giving participants a chance to develop skills, confidence, and group cohesion over the course of the season.

I’ve been skiing most of my life and have over 15 years of backcountry experience. While I’ve done some spring snow camping, I’m looking to develop my overnight skills further so I can extend my ski tours, and I’m hoping to do so alongside other Island Mountain Ramblers with similar interests. I plan to host these trips through club outings and am seeking group input to make them successful.

This page is intended to outline the overall concept, gauge interest, and set expectations before individual trips are posted.

Complete this form to express interest

Suggested Trip Progression

Ideally, we’ll participate in one trip per month, roughly from January through April:

    1. Day ski tour
      A straightforward day trip to get to know one another, establish group travel norms, and ensure everyone is comfortable with basic touring systems, transitions and pacing.
    2. Overnight near a trailhead or vehicles
      A low-commitment overnight trip focused on winter systems: camp setup, cold management, and efficient group routines, with a relatively easy exit option.
    3. Single-night traverse
      A more committing tour that builds on earlier trips, with greater emphasis on route-finding, pacing, and decision-making over longer days.
    4. Two-night trip
      A short winter tour bringing together the skills and experience developed earlier in the season.

Specific objectives will be posted for each trip and will depend on participants’ skills and interests. To give a sense of the type of terrain and scope I’m considering, possible later-season objectives could include routes such as the Forbidden Plateau Traverse, and Jutland Mountain, Mount Albert Edward, and/or the Castlecrag Circuit, conditions and group readiness permitting.

Prior Experience and Expectations

This series is intended to be accessible to a wide range of members. Prior winter camping experience is not required and is a main focus of the progression.

Participants should:

    • Know how to ski on a groomed resort ski runs, and in variable snow conditions 
    • Be fit for full-day tours at a moderate, steady pace (6-8 hours of moving)
    • Be willing to learn and practice touring skills (e.g., skins, kick turns, transitions)
    • Open to developing basic avalanche awareness as part of the trips
    • Be patience with themself and others

The emphasis will be on efficient travel and sound decision-making rather than aggressive skiing or seeking steep terrain.

Participation Approach

Although the trips will be posted individually, they are planned as a progression. Ideally, a core group will move through much of the series together, building familiarity and trust over time.

That said, flexibility is expected:

    • Members with appropriate prior experience may be able to join later trips even if they miss earlier ones
    • Missing a trip does not automatically exclude participation in future outings
    • For the more committing trips later in the season, participant selection will be based on demonstrated skills, experience, and group fit, whether through earlier trips in the series or comparable prior experience

This approach is intended to support safety, good group dynamics, and positive trip experiences for everyone involved.

Group size will follow club guidelines, and practical limits will be set for each trip.

Equipment Expectations:

Getting Involved

If this series interests you, watch for the individual trip postings as they’re published. Spaces are reserved for members who plan to participate in the whole series. Further members may be able to participate, subject to space availability.

Each trip listing will outline the objectives, expectations, and sign-up details. If you have questions about experience, fitness, or what to expect, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Getting involved early is the best way to help shape the trip objectives and share your input as the series develops.

I’m looking forward to getting out this winter and exploring what’s possible as a group.

Complete this info form to get involved

About the trip organizer

I started skiing at age eight at Marble Mountain in Newfoundland and was first exposed to larger mountain terrain after moving west about twenty years ago. Since then, I’ve spent most of my time skiing in the backcountry, with the majority of my touring experience in mainland British Columbia.

I came to ski touring as an extension of winter hiking and snowshoeing and have primarily focused on day trips, along with some overnight hut trips. I skied in junior programs as a kid and continue to ski regularly, typically getting out a few times each winter when conditions allow.

I’ve organized and led trips in the past, including hosting a couple of beginner ski trips last season. For this series, my aim is to bring together a small group of like-minded members who are interested in building winter touring and overnight skills in a practical, safety-focused, and collaborative way.