Last April, SCARPA athlete Lynsey Dyer joined an old friend, IFMGA/AMGA guide Julia Niles, in Joffre Lakes, BC for a intensive refresher on advanced ski-mountaineering skills.

As the sport evolves better gear becomes available, the leading edge of backcountry skiing continues to push further toward true alpinism. This evolution allows even top-level freeskiers like Lynsey to push their comfort zones and learn new things.

She’s newer to the SCARPA program. Our full range of backcountry ski boots opens up so much more opportunity for adventure. “The mountains show you your weaknesses,” says Dyer. “One thing I’m really excited about on this trip is getting to practice some of those skills, that frankly, I need work on.” The takeaway here, there’s never a time when to stop learning in the mountains. Skiers of every level should keep an open mind to new ideas, techniques, and experiences every time they step on snow.

That’s the fun of this sport. Watch the full episode below, then go out and learn something new this winter.