Women’s Intro to Backcountry Saturday 1st August 2026

Our Annual Women’s Intro to Backcountry Day at Mount Hotham is back — and it’s the perfect way to kickstart your journey into the alpine!

Whether you’re completely new to the backcountry or looking to gain more confidence in a supportive environment, this day is all about building skills, making connections, and embracing the mountains together.

What to expect:

✅ Intro to backcountry touring (splitboard, Ski touring, or telemark )

✅ Avalanche safety fundamentals

✅ Weather and trip planning

✅ Gear demos and packing tips

✅ Navigation & terrain awareness

✅ Inspiring chats with like-minded women

Date: Sat 1st August 

Location: Mount Hotham

Led by experienced female guides and outdoor educators, this weekend is about learning at your pace, asking questions, and stepping outside your comfort zone — all with a supportive crew beside you.

Gear Requirements for the Day – Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Tour

Skiers

• Alpine touring (AT) skis with touring bindings that have heel release / walk mode
• Climbing skins correctly fitted to your skis
• Ski boots compatible with your touring setup
• Ski poles (adjustable touring poles recommended)
• Helmet (highly recommended)

Telemark & Nordic Backcountry Skiers

• Telemark and backcountry ski setups are welcome (must be suitable for off-piste touring conditions)

Splitboarders

• Splitboard with touring bindings
• Splitboard skins correctly fitted
• Splitboard boots
• Collapsible/touring poles
• All required splitboard hardware (clips, bindings, spare parts as needed)
• Helmet (highly recommended)

Everyone – Personal Gear

• Small day pack suitable for carrying layers, food and water
• Avalanche Beacon Shovel and Probe - contact us If you need these items, we have a few extras otherwise we can recommend where to hire
• Waterproof jacket and pants (alpine conditions can change quickly)
• Warm insulation layer (down/synthetic jacket recommended)
• Thermal base layers (avoid cotton)
• Warm gloves plus a spare pair
• Beanie/buff/neck warmer
• Sunglasses and/or goggles
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Water bottle or thermos
• Lunch and high-energy snacks
• Personal medications
• Small personal first aid kit
• Fully charged phone
• Head torch (recommended for alpine travel)

Skill & Fitness Requirements

This tour is suitable for people who are comfortable on skis or a snowboard and are looking to experience backcountry travel.

Ski / Snowboard Ability

• You should be able to confidently ski or ride blue runs at a resort as a minimum
• Comfortable controlling speed and direction in variable snow conditions
• Able to link turns and manage gentle off-piste terrain
• Previous backcountry experience is not required — we will introduce touring skills throughout the day

Fitness Requirements
A moderate level of fitness is required. You should be comfortable:

• Being active outdoors for several hours
• Carrying a small day pack with personal gear
• Walking/hiking for a few hours or doing regular physical activity

Backcountry touring is not about speed — we travel as a group, take breaks and focus on learning, safety, and enjoying the alpine environment.

Who are we

Explore with confidence. Gippsland Adventure Tours is led by qualified outdoor professionals holding APSI Ski Instructor, Avalanche Safety, and Wilderness First Aid qualifications. We operate as a fully licensed Parks Victoria Tour Operator with comprehensive professional insurance.