While skiing and snowboarding inbounds can be a rewarding solo experience, backcountry skiing is inherently more of a team sport. There is no immediate help if something goes wrong, and the only people you can rely on are those you’re with. Your significant other or best friend might be your only option, but they may not be the best choice. To help solve this glaring issue of finding backcountry partners, SlabLab has created the SlabLab Partner Network.
Solving Backcountry Skiing’s #1 Problem
As any long-time ski touring fanatic can tell you, one of the biggest pain points is finding a backcountry partner. Beyond having your AIARE 1 certification, not everyone will align with your objectives. A variety of factors need to be taken into account, such as a person’s risk tolerance, fitness level, and skill level. After three years of extensive research, testing, and development, SlabLab is opening up its partner network to help you form and create a backcountry team that fits YOUR needs.
This Ain’t Tinder
On the surface, it may sound like a dating app, but it’s not. It’s an app for people looking to connect with like-minded individuals and form strong backcountry skiing partnerships. After all, great partnerships are key to both fun and safety in the backcountry.
It’s about building a community specifically geared toward backcountry skiing. The greater vision is to create a welcoming environment where you can find partners, access research for insights, and ask questions to get answers from experts. When searching for partners, the attributes you can filter by are based on in-depth analysis of what backcountry skiers and splitboarders are looking for.
Who is SlabLab?
When Jaime and I took our first timid steps into the wilds of the mountains, the first thing we did after getting all our gear was sign up for an AIARE 1 course. To gain as much knowledge as possible, we chose Outdoor Adventure Club’s full weekend immersion at Lassen National Park. Our instructor was Richard Bothwell, a co-founder of SlabLab, who has become a lifelong friend and backcountry mentor. In addition to owning O.A.C. and instructing hundreds of people, he is also a former Executive Director of AIARE. The second partner is Daniel Feldman, who combined his passion for backcountry skiing with his years of experience in human-centered design to help form SlabLab.
Teamwork makes the Dream Work
Out of all the sports and activities I’ve tried, backcountry ski partner relationships are more like a marriage than a team. I learned this lesson well when I ventured out with a good friend and received a big slice of humble pie. In the end, we learned from our mistakes, practiced our communication, and returned to conquer the chute that had terrified me the first time. I realized that having a strong partner who aligns with your objectives is key to having a more fun experience in the backcountry.
Be Part of the Change!
If you’re one of those looking for a partner in powder, SlabLab is offering limited free memberships to the Partner Network for early access. This is your chance to be part of the change and help shape what SlabLab will become. Sign up here.
