Adapt. Evolve. Come together. Arc’teryx launched its education course to get folks outside into the backcountry. And yet, it’s now happening online.
This season could mark the biggest year in terms of backcountry participation, activity, and travel. Luckily, Arc’teryx Academy is here to keep our skills (and stoke) up to date. The Arc’teryx Climbing Academy looked a little different in 2020, as it had to go virtual (although the clinics were still as helpful as ever).
This month, Arc’teryx is adjusting its digital education platform for another popular semiannual topic — the backcountry.
Now in its third run, the 2021 Arc’teryx Backcountry Academy will be the first one held online instead of in Jackson Hole, Wyo. But that’s okay. The Academy still has a host of events, film screenings, and clinics scheduled.
“If this year was like any other, we’d be waxing our skis and getting ready to head down to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to welcome you to the Backcountry Academy, as we have in years past,” Arc’teryx wrote.
“Unfortunately, COVID-19 requires a shift in gears. We have chosen to adapt and evolve our events to serve the safety and well-being of our community.”
Arc’teryx Backcountry Academy: What’s New for 2021
Similar to Arc’teryx Academies past, this year’s will consist of movie screenings, panel presentations, a photography workshop, and a podcast series — all for free.
The weeklong course will focus on a variety of topics for backcountry living, like dos and don’ts, and, maybe most importantly, avalanche safety. In fact, Arc’teryx is doing away with its standard clinics and offering access to avalanche safety and ski/mountaineering courses instead.
Starting on Feb. 8, you’ll get 50% off the Avalanche Education clinic or the Ultimate Guide to Backcountry Skiing and Ski Mountaineering clinic, taught by an IFMGA-certified mountain guide. Plus, you’ll get access to more learning from Arc’teryx’s ambassadors and experts, hosted across digital platforms like YouTube and Zoom.
Arc’teryx’s first digital Backcountry Academy will run from Feb. 8 to 12, 2021. Learn more or sign up here.
