BC Season Primer

Fall 2026 BC Primer!  Saturday, November 7th, 2026 (complete)

MRVBC has partnered again with Kel Rossiter of Adventure Spirit to offer a 1-day workshop on backcountry fundamentals. This workshop has high-value with or without snow on the ground, with lots of useful concepts, tools, and techniques covered in a hands-on, skis-on, engaging format.

The BC Primer will be an all-day workshop based out of the Mad River Glen @ the Basebox on Saturday, November 7th. The course topics will help those who are newer to backcountry skiing/riding feel more comfortable going out into the deep woods of our region in search of untracked snow. More experienced skiers/riders will gain useful insights, information, tools, and techniques for effectively utilizing their backcountry kits and for exploring mountains further afield.  And all will certainly enjoy meeting and connecting with other BC enthusiasts in our community!

Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026

Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location: Mad River Glen, @ the Basebox, park in the MRG main lot and walk past the General Store and ticket office.

Cost: CTA + MRVBC members $75 | Non-members $115

Tip: Become a CTA/MRVBC member for $40 and receive the member discount and many other benefits!

Pre-registration is required and is limited to 14 participants. <REGISTER HERE>

Workshop Topics

• Fundamentals (how to pack and prepare for a safe and enjoyable backcountry day)

• First Aid Considerations (handling common injuries, looking at a sample first aid kit, and considerations for improvised evacuations)

• Repair Kit (ideas for fixing your gear if it fails miles into the BC)

• Useful Techniques&Skills (techniques including: putting on/removing/storing skins, packing your skis, utilizing your gear effectively, a variety of uphill turn techniques, and transitioning efficiently from uphill to downhill)

• Avalanche Considerations & Rescue Fundamentals (concepts including: Northeast-specific snowpack, terrain, triggers, & weather information, beacon rescue basics, and considerations when taking your backcountry skills to new regions)

• Northeastern-Specific Considerations (how to be a responsible BC skier and make the most out of your skiing days in our unique region)

• Putting it all together (utilizing all of these skills and concepts to plan for enjoyable days–and years–in the hills)

Kel Rossiter's Bio

Kel started skiing as a kid out in the Pacific Northwest–In jeans and flannel, of course. He first came to the Northeast for a Masters Degree in Kinesiology at UNH and returned again then later to earn his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at UVM, while on the faculty at Vermont State University. During that time, he made the jump from lift skiing to the backcountry. By 2014, he’d become an American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Certified Alpine & Rock Guide and he began the training process to become a Certified Ski Guide. 

That process culminated in 2019 and–with those 3 certifications–he became one of less than 200 working AMGA Internationally Certified Mountain Guides. Along the way, he’s skied extensively in Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, The Pacific Northwest, Italy, Switzerland, and France…and of course The Northeast! He continues to love and appreciate the quiet alpine views, birch glades, rugged adventure, and occasional powder that our special corner of the world offers. And he’s very much looking forward to helping you get out and enjoy all of that during this year’s Backcountry Primer!

You can find a more extensive bio about Kel on the Adventure Spirit Rock+Ice+Alpine Experiences webpage here. 

Participant Feedback From a Prior Course

"Awesome day! You (Kel) started with basics I really needed and tips that can change the experience and improve safety. Loved the presentation style and humor. Had fun and learned a lot. Ready for my next class and will highly recommend."

"Kel, love your energy, personality…you, being you works so well. Great overview & introduction."

"Loved the tips for types of layers, repair kits, features of packs, equipment. It was a good mix of hands on/engagement of the participants. Great approach/teaching style."

"Learned so much. Love the topics."

"Avy overview was awesome same with first aid and repairs."

"Loved simple approach of how to think about packing your pack. Topic overviews were great. Thank you so much for taking the time to be here, such a blessing to learn from someone with such wisdom. Really appreciate you being here."

"Thank you Kel! Great stuff!

"I have been backcountry skiing for 20+ years and the course was outstanding–well organized and covered all important topics enthusiastically. Great job."

"Was a great experience, and I think that more people should do this! Kel was awesome too!"

"Kel is super fun to learn from. After 15yrs of BC, I found I learned A TON from Kel! Thank you so much."

"Kel was wonderful! As a a never before BC skier, I’m really looking forward to applying what I’ve learned. Great to meet others newer to BC skiing as well!"

"Kel–Awesome day! Tips & tricks was my favorite part. Thanks and see you out in the backcountry."

"Fantastic course. Fast pace. Interactive. Kept interest. No ego. Funny. Thanks!

"Overall a great day. Highly recommend to anyone looking to explore past the boundary of resorts. Thank you!"

"Great focus on regional issues. Fun atmosphere. Well organized."

"Excellent presentation—interesting and informative."

"I found the program really informative. Highlights: --First info I've received about avalanches –Appreciated the NE focus –Like the comprehensive nature. Instruction (Kel) was great. Thanks."

"Great course! Really enjoyed the instructors energy & knowledge. Covered a lot, but definitely feels like a beginning to my backcountry adventures..."

"Kel is extremely engaging in his pedagogical approach to the subject. He covers so much on approaching the backcountry in bit size topics and sections. Whether a review or brand new on the information, he makes it fun and easy to learn and glean new adventure."

"Kel is an excellent instructor with great energy. I appreciated the pace of the workshop. There was a lot of information shared and he kept my attention the whole time. I would love a more in depth training on route planning. For example, we could have a day training where we mapped a route and then went to that area on a group tour the next day. Thank you!"

"The class & Kel were SUPER informative. Kel is an engaging presenter, incredibly knowledgeable and passionate. I learned a ton and am excited about the upcoming season!"

"Mad River's Backcountry Primer with Kel of Adventure Spirit was a great refresher! It got my excited about the upcoming season and where I'm going in my BC learning. Thank you!"