ZEN MASTERS™

WINTER BACKCOUNTRY PROGRAM

Backcountry ski touring in Idaho’s wilderness offers a soul-nurturing experience in Mother Nature that is very different than charging down resort runs. It demands the skills, patience and grit of authentic adventure.

 

Our unique winter-long ZEN MASTERS Backcountry Program introduces students to backcountry skiing as a skills-based anchor for exploring the concept of “Beginner’s Mind” – an approach to life that lessens the limitations of ego. While learning the skills needed to become proficient and safe backcountry skiers, ZEN MASTERS immerses students in a special curriculum designed to support a growth mindset and provide tools for embracing personal change.

Students learn about selecting and packing gear, practice the basics of backcountry travel, use digital navigation tools (using their smart phone), develop rescue skills, and participate in one overnight expedition to experience winter snow camping/sheltering and introduce emergency survival skills.

ZEN MASTER founder Gerry Moffatt instructs and leads the Winter program with the support of outfitter Sun Valley Guides for on-snow days in the backcountry. By the end of the course, most ZEN MASTERS will be proficient and comfortable enough to enjoy ski touring in non-complex avalanche terrain and know how to safely participate as a responsible member of a backcountry team.  A whole new horizon of winter skiing in Mother Nature’s rugged landscape awaits!

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ZEN MASTERS™ 2022-23 Winter Backcountry Program

December 8 – 31:

Equipment/Gear Selection Guidance

One (1) on-snow instructional day: Introduction to Backcountry Ski technique

On-your-own Pre-program Fitness Training

January 1 – February 11:

Six (6) total on-snow instructional days.

  • Two of these days will be consecutive instructional days including an overnight stay at Smiley Creek Lodge. Overnight accommodation, food and transportation are not included in the tuition.

Seven (7) weekly evening classroom lectures  (via Zoom): 7 total lectures

(OPTIONAL) Daily morning Zen Master Guided Meditations (15 mins via Zoom), Monday – Friday weekly

The Program’s curriculum covers:

  • Proper gear and equipment selection, use and care
  • Ski touring techniques
  • Introduction to assessing terrain and hazards for safe travel
  • Introduction to understanding snowpack conditions
  • What to pack and why
  • Introduction to using digital navigation technology and online resources for planning a safe backcountry tour 
  • ZEN MASTERS reading/viewing list (required for in-class discussions)

Winter 2022-23 COURSE DATES

December 8, 2022 - Feb 11, 2023

Zenergy Health Club & Spa Sun Valley is an exclusive Community Partner of Thunder Dragon’s ZEN MASTERS Program.

2022-23 Regular Tuition Fee:  $3645 per student

Minimum On-snow instructor:student ratio is 1 Instructor:4 students. Minimum group size is 4.

 

Zenergy members enjoy an 10% Early Bird Tuition Discount if they apply for ZEN MASTERS before December 1. 

Zenergy Members Early Bird Tuition Fee:  $3280 per student

 

*Tuition includes all classroom instruction + all on-snow instruction days, including permits and forestry fees. Tuition does not include digtal Gaia subscription, ski equipment/equipment rentals, individual gear (backpacks, clothing, etc), transportation to/from trailheads, or meals.

Fill Out Winter Application

Applications are considered on a rolling admissions basis until maximum enrollment is reached.  Prospective students must fill out an application and be interviewed prior to acceptance into program. Space is extremely limited, early applications are strongly encouraged to avoid disappointment.

*Thunder Dragon proudly partners with Sun Valley Guides as our exclusive outfitter for the on-snow backcountry skiing days in our Zen Masters Winter Program.

“Having endured the discomfort and physical effort, the mental and emotional highs and lows required to make the transformation from beginner to competent backcountry skier is only the beginning – the mountains have far more to teach us than we have time available in this lifetime.”

– ZEN MASTERS Founder, Gerry Moffatt

ZEN MASTERS multi-week Programs:

Winter Backcountry Program

Spring/Summer Whitewater Program

International Zen Masters Experiences