Trip
Mt Baker, WA
Education, Backcountry Ski & Snowboard
Questions? Let us help! Call us at
1-866-386-1590
1-866-386-1590
Learn valuable emergency and wilderness medical skills with these courses offered by our partners Backcountry Medical Guides.
Our partners at Backcountry Medical Guides are offering these two wilderness medicine courses so you can enter the backcountry with confidence and a greater understanding of best practices for emergency situations. These courses are specifically tailored to backcountry skiers and snowboarders.
The Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder - Refresher for Backcountry Skiers and Snowboarders course will prepare you for your next winter adventure. Combining a highly experiential in-person training with a self-paced Wilderness Medicine Online course, this program provides all the skills-practice and knowledge needed to handle a range of medical and traumatic emergencies. Practice treating life threats, stabilizing injuries, and evaluating and managing medical and environmental hardships. Additional e-labs apply for the WFR-Refresher.
Whether you plan on working or guiding professionally in the outdoor world or just simply enjoy exploring on your own, the industry-standard Wilderness First Responder course can help you stay safer and go further. The Wilderness First Responder certification is internationally recognized and has become the gold standard for both industry professionals and outdoor enthusiasts. Join us in the beautiful Snoqualmie National Forest at Mt Baker, WA.
The Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder - Refresher for Backcountry Skiers and Snowboarders course will prepare you for your next winter adventure. Combining a highly experiential in-person training with a self-paced Wilderness Medicine Online course, this program provides all the skills-practice and knowledge needed to handle a range of medical and traumatic emergencies. Practice treating life threats, stabilizing injuries, and evaluating and managing medical and environmental hardships. Additional e-labs apply for the WFR-Refresher.
Whether you plan on working or guiding professionally in the outdoor world or just simply enjoy exploring on your own, the industry-standard Wilderness First Responder course can help you stay safer and go further. The Wilderness First Responder certification is internationally recognized and has become the gold standard for both industry professionals and outdoor enthusiasts. Join us in the beautiful Snoqualmie National Forest at Mt Baker, WA.
Select Your Trip
Select Your Trip
Itinerary
WFA/WFR-R/WFR Itinerary
Subject to change based on conditions
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1
Each day we’ll meet at the USFS trailhead at Heather Meadows for a preparation, snow report check, packing session, and itinerary brief. We’ll set out into the Mount Baker backcountry conducting skills sessions and scenarios en route to one of our ski summits. Itineraries will be solely dependent on avalanche and weather conditions. Total vertical feet ~1000-2000 feet and 4-6 miles of travel depending on snow conditions and planned route.
Trip Package Includes
- WFA or WFR certification good for 2 years
- CPR: AED Adult/ Child/ Infant, valid for 2 years
- Professional guiding and instruction
- Manual with lecture notes
- Pre-course learning
- 20% off service and 10% off rental at evo Seattle store
- 20% discount code at evo.com (exclusions apply)
Area Information
Mt Baker
Surrounded by old-growth forests, sparkling rivers, and the beautiful mountains of the North Cascades, the Mt. Baker backcountry makes the perfect setting to learn important medical skills in a backcountry ski/snowboard environment. Mt Baker is home to some of the best views and most vibrant ski/snowboard culture the Northwest has to offer.
Gallery
Gallery
Trip Planning
Trip Planning
Mount Baker
Mount Baker is located in the beautiful North Cascades mountain range in Northeast Washington. The ski area holds the world record for most snowfall in a season, over 1000 inches during the 98’-99’ season. Bring your equipment and prepare for some powder turns.There is no lodging directly at the ski area. They do allow camping in the parking lot and there are a lot of AirBnBs located about 30 mins down the hill in Glacier and Maple Falls. We would recommend booking the rentals more than a month in advance because they do tend to fill up quickly.
Ski / Snowboard & Avalanche Safety Gear
Ski Clothing
Other Important Items
FAQ
FAQ
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What if I need to cancel?
Before 1 month of the start of the event students receive a 75% refund, excluding 25% deposit. Between 1 month and 2 weeks students receive a 50% refund. Within 2 weeks of the course students will not receive a refund, however 50% of course fees can be applied towards additional BMG programs. Any cancellations made by Backcountry Medical Guides will result in a full refund (including 25% deposit) or transfer to an available course of equal value. -
Where is the course located?
These courses will meet daily at the upper parking lot at Heather Meadows Lodge. -
I need local accommodations. Do you have recommendations?
There is no lodging directly at the ski area. They do allow camping in the parking lot and there are a lot of AirBnBs located about 30 mins down the hill in Glacier and Maple Falls. We would recommend booking the rentals more than a month in advance because they do tend to fill up quickly. -
What COVID-19 policies do you have in place?
Anyone attending a BMG Course is required to have a COVID-19 Vaccine. In accordance with Backcountry Medical Guides’ duty to mitigate and maintain an environment that limits known or avoidable risk and hazards, we have adopted this new policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families, our customers and students, and the community at large from infectious diseases due to Covid -19. This policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities, as applicable. We will continue to monitor the situation surrounding covid and adjust our policy as needed with guidance from the CDC and local policies. -
What are the prerequisites to participate in this course?
Intermediate to advanced ski/snowboard ability in the backcountry You own full backcountry set up and at least one day using your gear (See gear list) Ability to thrive in wintertime PNW conditions for a full day. Basic understanding of how to transition from uphill to downhill mode and vice versa. Avalanche rescue course is preferred but not required. -
How physically fit do I have to be for this course?
Physical ability to walk 5 miles and up 1000 ft. in a single day. The class is held at the ski area and will be spent moving through the snowy and icy landscape. Consideration should be taken to ensure you are fit enough to embark on these trails. Please contact BMG if you would like more information about hiking fitness requirements. -
Who are the guides?
Julie Ann Holder - Julie Ann is a Wilderness EMT-B, AMGA Apprentice Rock, Ski, and Alpine Guide, Pro 2 certified avalanche professional, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and holds a BS in Recreation Management from Appalachian State University. She is passionate about empowering people in their pursuit of adventure and deeper connection with the wild places of the world. Mike Wallace, MD - Pursuing his passion for medicine, his journey continued to medical school after two years of adventure traveling through the South Pacific and Europe. Mike spent the next chunk of his life skiing the Wasatch and biking the Utah desert while training in Emergency and Wilderness Medicine. He now works as an ER physician in Bellingham, WA.
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Are rentals available?
Not through BMG. However backcountry equipment can be rented at evo Seattle for 10% off. -
What if I need to change the dates of my trip?
Participants are allowed to transfer to a different course if done so 1 month or more, prior to the start date of the originally registered course. To transfer there is a $40 non-refundable transfer fee. Only one transfer is allowed per registration and absolutely no refunds will be granted after the transfer. For transfers made after 1 month before the original registered course date, 50% of course fees can be used to transfer into a different course. Participants will be liable to pay the remaining balance after 50% of course fees have been applied to the course. -
When and how do I meet up with the group?
You will receive detailed instructions regarding when and how to meet the group from BMG. -
What is the maximum number of guests on the trip? Is there a minimum number of guests needed to run the course?
There are a maximum of 12 guests for this course. The guest:guide ratio is 6:1, with groups of 12 being split into 2 groups due to COVID. The minimum number of guests required to run the course is 8. -
Is there a minimum age required for this trip?
You must be 16 years or older to attend this course. -
Is transportation provided?
Transportation is not provided
Testimonials
A destination near you
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Trip
Questions? Let us help! Call us at
1-866-386-1590
1-866-386-1590
Select Your Trip
Itinerary
Wilderness First Aid / Responder-R
-
1
Day 1 and Day 2:
Each day we’ll meet at the USFS trailhead at Heather Meadows for a preparation, snow report check, packing session, and itinerary brief. We’ll set out into the Mount Baker backcountry conducting skills sessions and scenarios en route to one of our ski summits. Itineraries will be solely dependent on avalanche and weather conditions. Total vertical feet ~1000-2000 feet and 4-6 miles of travel depending on snow conditions and planned route.
A destination near you
Coming Soon
Trip
Questions? Let us help! Call us at
1-866-386-1590
1-866-386-1590
Select Your Trip
Itinerary
Wilderness First Aid / Responder-R
-
1
Day 1 and Day 2:
Each day we’ll meet at the USFS trailhead at Heather Meadows for a preparation, snow report check, packing session, and itinerary brief. We’ll set out into the Mount Baker backcountry conducting skills sessions and scenarios en route to one of our ski summits. Itineraries will be solely dependent on avalanche and weather conditions. Total vertical feet ~1000-2000 feet and 4-6 miles of travel depending on snow conditions and planned route.
A destination near you
Coming Soon
Trip
Questions? Let us help! Call us at
1-866-386-1590
1-866-386-1590
Select Your Trip
Itinerary
Wilderness First Responder
-
1
Day 1 - 6:
Each day we’ll meet at the USFS trailhead at Heather Meadows for a preparation, snow report check, packing session, and itinerary brief. We’ll set out into the Mount Baker backcountry conducting skills sessions and scenarios en route to one of our ski summits. Itineraries will be solely dependent on avalanche and weather conditions. Total vertical feet ~1000-2000 feet and 4-6 miles of travel depending on snow conditions and planned route.
A destination near you
Coming Soon
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