2026 SheJumps AFS: Deep Winter Edition | BC | Presented by Arc'teryx

This expert level course is an opportunity to experience complex terrain in deep winter and is a perfect complement to our Alpine School courses for those wanting to experience deep winter skiing conditions in a learning environment. Designed for expert backcountry skiers and splitboarders, this course will help you confidently navigate remote, glaciated terrain, whether you're planning multi-day missions or skiing in regions without consistent avalanche forecasts. The curriculum builds off the AST/AIARE 2 frameworks, with a focus on developing leadership skills and an advanced decision making process for traveling in avalanche terrain that’s in line with how professionals approach their day.

At Alpine Finishing School: Deep Winter Edition, you’ll build the confidence to lead your own backcountry travel and gain the skills to explore more complex terrain in variable snow conditions. Expect a lot of time on your skis or board: this is an immersive course where the best classroom is outdoors.

This course is built for expert backcountry skiers/riders ready to elevate their technical and decision-making processes. If you're looking to take your backcountry skills to the leadership level, this course is built for you.

• Integrate terrain analysis, weather forecasting, snowpack evaluation, and hazard assessment into a comprehensive and practical travel plan.
• Refine your route-planning skills using both traditional map and compass techniques and digital GPS tools to navigate challenging alpine terrain and conditions.

• Take the lead in developing a professional snow assessment process that combines on-the-fly observations with more formal snow science methods.
• Advance your rescue skills with realistic practice, including multiple burial scenarios.
• Build your leadership and communication abilities to support confident decision-making in complex terrain and foster a positive, collaborative group dynamic.
• Spend less time in the classroom and more time in the alpine. This course prioritizes hands-on learning in real terrain, with flexible days that adapt to weather and daylight conditions in the Selkirks throughout January.

The 2026 SheJumps Alpine Finishing School: Deep Winter Edition is led by ACMG-certified ski guides, in collaboration with SheJumps, a US public charity (68-0662227) dedicated to increasing the participation of women and girls in outdoor activities.

This is not an intro course. You should have AT LEAST three prior seasons (50+ days total) of human powered backcountry skiing/splitboarding experience. A minimum of a level one recreational avalanche certification(AST 1, AIARE 1, or comparable) is required. This will ensure all participants have comparable baseline knowledge, and will enable you to get the most out of this course and be able to participate fully. Other requirements include having a strong level of fitness at elevation as well as familiarity with your equipment (especially your boots, skins, & bindings) and being efficient with transitions.

The lodge sits at 7,200 ft (2200 meters) and will be the base of all our tours - that's high! It is crucial to already have advanced backcountry skiing/riding skills, an elevated fitness level, and avalanche education. Come prepared—and we’ll help you unlock a new level of skill, awareness, and self-trust in the mountains. Please read the FAQs or contact us if you have questions on skill level.

• Avalanche Education: Completed A IARE/AAI/AST level 1 or equivalent
• Backcountry Experience: 50+ days of human powered backcountry skiing/splitboarding experience
• High fitness level: Ability to comfortably climb and ski at least 3000 vertical feet/1000 vertical meters in a day with a 20 lb pack on, multiple days in a row without rest days. Can push 6,000 vertical feet for a big day.
• Skill Ability: Expert skiing or riding ability. Confident on 35° slopes in all types of snow including powder, dust on crust, wind affected snow, chunder, icy conditions, etc.
• Pre-Course Learning: Willingness & commitment to learn knots via provided curriculum prior to the course date.
• Equipment Proficiency: Efficient with your gear—especially boots, skins, bindings–and can transition quickly.
• Multi-Day Touring Experience: Previous experience on multi-day backcountry trips, with back-to-back big days, not just one-off tours.
• Encouraged: Previous participation in SheJumps Alpine Finishing School or Alpine Development School or similar backcountry course strongly encouraged. Previous glacier experience is also beneficial, but not required.

Please read the FAQs or contact us if you have questions on skill level.

Expect a balance of skiing and learning. This isn’t about stacking vert or chasing big lines—it’s about building skills. Our goal is to ski everyday (sometimes just half days), with classroom sessions woven in. Topics include glacier travel, crevasse rescue, navigation, route planning, and more. As always, weather and avalanche conditions are outside of our control and will dictate where we can go, and there is a chance that we may not be able to ski some days or venture too far from the lodge. Conditions will guide our plans, but over the week we typically summit peaks, travel on big glaciers, and score some epic descents.

LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT CHALLENGE? If you have less than three seasons of backcountry experience but are ready for big days in the mountains, check out our . If your focus is more on ski mountaineering specific skills, check out our course.

The TOTAL cost of the course is $4,200 USD. A $500 USD non-refundable deposit is required to hold your space. You will receive instructions on final payment (less your $500 USD non-refundable deposit) upon acceptance of your application. (If you are paying in CAD, please pay your deposit in USD, and then contact us to pay your balance in CAD.) Half of the payment ($1850 USD) will be due on September 5, 2025, and the remaining tuition amount ($1850) is due November 15, 2025. Payment plans are available. If you sign up for the course after the midpoint payment date of September 5, 2025 and are accepted, you will be invoiced for 50% of the course fee, due within 10 days of acceptance.

The price of the course reflects equitable wages for our guides, access to online Alpine School training, on-site curriculum, and a guided educational experience in the mountains. This price includes helicopter transportation to and from the lodge, all meals and snacks, guiding, course instruction, and lodging. Gratuity for the guides/lodge caretakers is not included. It's customary to tip the guides at the end of the trip, and we recommend 10-15% of the trip price. All tips are shared by guides, and lodge staff. Please note that you are under no obligation to tip, but it's highly recommended.

Once you are accepted into the course, your deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel your reservation more than three months from the start of your trip, we will refund your payment, less the non-refundable deposit. If we receive your cancellation request within 31 to 90 days of your start date, we will retain 50% of your payment and refund the balance. If you cancel within 30 days of your start date, or fail to appear, you are responsible for and will be charged/billed the full amount of your trip.

**We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance for this event.** Previous years have included medical helicopter evacuations from the lodge and last minute cancellations due to injuries or unexpected family obligations. We always hope that everything goes smoothly, but it's best to be prepared for the unexpected.

Upon submitting your $500 deposit, you will be asked a series of questions pertaining to your skiing/splitboarding abilities and experience in the backcountry. You are also required to provide a couple of references; these should be people with whom you have spent time in the backcountry. SheJumps staff and the course guides screen all applicants prior to acceptance into the course to ensure the course maintains a similar skill level between participants. However, please keep in mind when signing up for this course that we do our best to screen, but on large group trips, ability levels will likely still vary.

Upon acceptance into the course, we will then provide you with a comprehensive gear list and logistical information to help you plan your trip.

Kate Devine, ACMG Ski Guide, Owner/Operator of the Selkirk Lodge: Kate Devine was born into a mountain lifestyle. Her family built the Selkirk Backcountry Lodge near Revelstoke, BC and she started ski touring there as a kid with her parents. Kate went on to pursue a guiding career, passing her first guides exam at 24. Kate is a great role model for young, independent mountain women. She has been teaching for the Alpine Finishing School since its inception and brings an amazing amount of experience to the course. She has an incredibly thorough knowledge of the terrain surrounding the lodge and is passionate about sharing it with people from all over the world.

Christine Feleki, ACMG Ski Guide: Based in Ucluelet, B.C., Christine is one of the hardest working women in the industry. An ACMG hiking guide in summers and Canada’s first woman to be certified as a snowboard guide; no matter the season, she is teaching safe backcountry travel. Christine is ahead of the game in so many ways, behind her friendly smile lies a calculated and driven mind that will get you to the goods without sacrificing a good time. Her passion for sharing the mountains with other inspired women is only outmatched by her ability to out-ride most of the guys out there. In 2021, Christine became the first fully certified female ACMG splitboard guide in Canada.

Shannon Werner, ACMG Ski Guide: As soon as Shannon could walk her parents put her on skis. The Lake Louise Ski Resort became her stomping grounds. Over the years, Shannon dabbled in different competitive aspects of skiing including racing, mogul, big mountain, and, she shyly admits, ballet competitions. She quickly discovered her heart belonged to ski touring and ski mountaineering, seeking those endless powder turns in the backcountry with her passionate partners in crime.

Shannon spent just over a decade Ski Patrolling for Lake Louise & Revelstoke Mountain Resort, and then ventured to the Southern Hemisphere to work as an Avalanche Forecaster in New Zealand. In 2010, Shannon started working for Avalanche Canada as a Public Avalanche Forecaster and coordinates the Youth Program. She became an ACMG Ski Guide and fully enjoys sharing mountain experiences with others. This combined with avalanche education and enabling people to have confidence in decision-making, and enthusiasm for mountain sports and culture is what drives her.

Q: How strong of a skier/boarder do I need to be to take this course?

A: You need to be able to ski or snowboard confidently in a variety of backcountry snow conditions. Being able to skin uphill and ski/ride downhill in deep powder and trees is a must.

Q: How fit do I need to be?

A: Traveling in deep winter conditions means moving through deep snow—both uphill and downhill—which can be physically demanding. A strong level of fitness is required for our participants to make the most of this experience. You need to be able to climb and ski a MINIMUM of 3000 vertical feet/1000 vertical meters with a 20lb backpack, comfortably, for multiple days in a row. The reason we say minimum is because if this amount of skiing pushes you to your limit, it will be difficult for you to focus on the learning objectives.

Q: How much backcountry skiing experience do I need to have?

A: You should have a minimum of 3 years, totaling AT LEAST 50 days. Be an honest judge of your skills and experience level when it comes to basic ski touring objectives. If you are feeling maxed out most of the time, then you may benefit from waiting one more year or can look at our other Alpine School courses: and .

Q: Is an avalanche course a prerequisite?

A: Yes. You MUST have completed AIARE/AAI/AST level 1 course or equivalent. It is expected that you have a solid understanding of avalanche types and familiarity with your local avalanche bulletins. While we’ll briefly review the basics of avalanche rescue, this is not a beginner course. Our focus will be on terrain management, decision-making, and advanced risk assessment—so prior avalanche education is essential to fully engage with the material and keep the group moving safely together.

Q: Do I need to be an Alpine Development School or Alpine Finishing School alum?

A. While optional, we strongly recommend prior experience with ADS, AFS, or a comparable backcountry course, as it demonstrates a commitment to developing your skills through formal education, practical experience, and professional guidance.

Q: What is Selkirk Lodge like?

Tucked into the heart of the Selkirk Mountains, Selkirk Lodge offers a warm and welcoming retreat after a day in the alpine. With cozy bedrooms—ranging from private singles to shared rooms for up to four guests—all outfitted with fluffy down duvets and comfortable beds, you'll feel right at home. The lodge is fully equipped with indoor plumbing, a hot shower, solar electricity, and even internet access.

Each morning begins with the rich aroma of locally roasted coffee and a hearty, delicious breakfast to fuel your adventures. After a full day exploring the mountains, unwind with a tasty après ski snack while the chefs prepare another unforgettable dinner. It’s the perfect blend of comfort, connection, and mountain magic.

Facility information: There are gender neutral restrooms available. This is not an ADA accessible trip.

Gear and logistics information: Upon acceptance into the course, we will then provide you with a comprehensive gear list and logistical information to help you plan your trip.

We want to support all participants in enjoying this event to the fullest. Please let us know if you have any accommodation requests ahead of the event and we will provide accommodations as we are able to.

Questions? Contact Heidi at aHNraWxkdW0gfCBzaGVqdW1wcyAhIG9yZw==

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All participants must sign the r prior to participating in this event.

Spanish version of our waiver: Todos los participantes deben firmar la antes de participar en este evento.

To prioritize the health of our community, please do not attend a SheJumps event if you are experiencing any cold-like symptoms.

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SheJumps increases the participation of women and girls in outdoor activities to foster confidence, leadership, and connection to nature and community through free and low-cost outdoor education.

SheJumps is an inclusive organization. We welcome all women and girls—transgender and cisgender, as well as non-binary people.

SheJumps strives to fight against racism and acknowledges that our events and programs take place on traditional, unceded Indigenous lands.

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