Graphix Diva Meets World: Backcountry Skiing at Sol Mountain

My husband and I recently decided to up the backcountry ski touring ante by including our kids, ages 12 and 8, on a 5 day fly-in trip to a catered, guided lodge. We have taken our children hiking and camping since they were babies, and we have been skiing with them all their lives; in short, they are outdoor kids with excellent skills. Over the past two years, we have included them in one-day or one-night ski trips where we did all of the hauling and trail-breaking. Several guides and experienced friends encouraged us to include our kids on our adventures, so we took the plunge and booked a trip.

Family vacation - Spence style

Most lodges allow kids over the age of 14 with signed consent, so considering that our kids were well under that limit, it was difficult to find one that would take our reservation. The hazards of complex terrain, the difficultly of the up-track, the liability of a minor are just some of the obstacles that an operator needs to consider, not to mention the price-tag for a family of four!

Ready to rip!

We were lucky to have a referral into Sol Mountain Lodge, one of the Monashees premiere lodges. Aaron and Sabine run a first-class operation, their lodge is stunning, the food was superb, and the company was engaging. You can learn more about their lodge here: http://www.solmountain.com. After hearing about their lodge, we took the plunge.

Kate cresting the ridge at Sol Mountain

A refrain from other guests at the lodge keeps ringing in my ears: how do you get your kids to do this? We get curious looks from friends and others in the backcountry community when they see us hiking high alpine routes, skiing steep and deep, and generally taking kids in unexpected places. It made me think more concretely about the secrets to our success. If you are interested in sharing your love of the backcountry with your kids, here are some of the things we have done to make our experiences enjoyable.

Sharing a passion with your kids helps them develop skills and find their own passions

Things to remember about ski touring, bike touring, hiking, and generally getting your kids outside:

1) Feed the monsters: you will go farther, faster, and be happier, if your kids are well-fed. This means that they need to have protein in the morning, not just standard oatmeal or bagel. Fuel the fire to start the day, and continue to pour in high-quality foods, like nuts, oranges, carrots sticks, chocolate brownies (ok, so maybe not high quality, but it does the trick), tea or hot chocolate, sandwiches with protein, and whatever else your kids like. Limit the jellybeans and gummy bears to two or three at the end of the day, ideally delivered by your guide. On the first day at Sol Mountain, our eldest (12 years old) went for a second lap with the guide and her dad, and she bonked halfway around. Hauling a teary-eyed, exhausted kid around the terrain is no fun, and could have been avoided with an apple and granola bar at strategic points. And don’t “ask” if your kid is hungry – assume that they need to eat, and simply provide the food and wait for them to consume it before moving forward. They need the calories whether their belly tells them it is empty or not.

Quality food makes a big difference

Following Emma's lead, guided by Sam

2) Hire a guide: your kids will do more and complain less for other people, especially those they respect. We hired a guide for a few day-trips in advance of our larger trip for a few reasons. First, we wanted the kids to be familiar with the concept of ski touring, familiar with the equipment, and familiar with the function of a guide. Next, we wanted them to hear about avalanche safety and route finding and terrain from an expert. And finally, the guide changed the dynamics of the group – he set the tone (fun! But safe), set the pace (slow!), set the route (simple terrain), and set the objective (fun!). We chose a very experienced guide who not only has grown children who love the outdoors but who also has guided families in the past. We looked for someone who isn’t prone to summit fever, who just wants to be outdoors sharing a love of the outdoors with others. Choosing terrain for kids needs to be precise and simple, choose your guide accordingly. Be prepared to pay full rate for your half-pints, and prep your guide with some of the quirks and joys of your kids.

Your kids will go farther, faster, and be happier

Emma scoping out a line with our guide, Sam-wise the great.

3) Build success: Just get out there. Don’t be afraid to start small, start with concepts, or just start talking about it. Ski touring is a lot like summer hiking, with the added benefit of a fun ride home. So start with some hiking, teach your kids to be strong skiers, and then plan an overnight, then progress to bigger trips. We started with one kid for two nights at a hut, the next year we added the second kid, the third year increased the daily elevation and number of days by going to catered, guided lodge. Our goal? Being able to take our kids back country skiing in Japan in the next 2 years.

Patience - enjoy the journey

4) Go for the catered option: even if you have picky eaters, they will be hungry enough to eat the common meals. Catering allows you (and your husband/wife/partner) to have fun without the pressure of hauling water and prepping food in the cold. It’s costly, but worth it. You are guaranteed to have quality, balanced meals, and you will have time to unwind and spend with your family.

Hiking up for one more powder run

5) Make the kids responsible: responsible for their gear, their food, their water, their safety. Initially you will need to help them strip and switch their gear, you will perpetually remind them to keep their kit in a tidy pile so that it doesn’t float off down the mountain, and generally muscle them through the entire process. But experience shows me that after 3 days, even my 8 year old can strip her skins and lock her boots and pack and unpack her bag for the day. She doesn’t do it quickly, but she gets it done.

Kate diligently working to switch up her gear - all by herself

Emma patiently waiting for her sister to switch up her gear

6) Build in fun time: In addition to stopping often for snacks, make sure to keep it fun – sing songs while climbing up, build a snowman or snow fort at lunch, have a snowball fight, tell or make up your own riddles and jokes, push them in the powder drifts. Remember to PLAY along the journey.

Fun time also includes skiing great slopes as fast as possible!

Do you wanna build a snowman?

Kate is loving the pow on a bluebird day!

I can’t guarantee that your kids won’t have a few tears along the way, I can’t guarantee success on every journey. You must be responsible for their safety and well-being and you must choose skill-appropriate activities. But the more you get out there and enjoy your passion with your kids, the more they will share it with you.