Backcountry

Carrabassett Valley Academy offers the only academy-level backcountry program in the U.S., where young athletes fully immerse in the backcountry, mastering essential skills and refining techniques for a lifetime of mountain adventure.

The CVA Difference

The Carrabassett Valley Academy Backcountry team thrives with the best at-home terrain, expert coaching, and a supportive community.

Backcountry Terrain: Based at Sugarloaf Mountain, the team explores over 650 acres of backcountry-style glades, including Brackett Basin and Burnt Mountain, featuring steep slopes, chutes, and cliffs.

Experienced Coaching: Led by Garrett Morrow, with 20+ years of experience and certifications like Wilderness First Responder and Registered Maine Guide, our coaching team prepares athletes for the challenges of backcountry skiing.

Supportive Community: CVA fosters a community dedicated to helping each athlete achieve their goals.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

The CVA Backcountry program is for adventurous skiers eager to explore new terrain and the best snow conditions around the world, fostering a spirit of exploration and discovery.

Focus on Backcountry Skills: Specialized training includes off-piste skiing, avalanche education, and ski mountaineering.
Development of Leadership and Life Skills: Emphasizes leadership, problem-solving, communication, risk management, and teamwork, crucial for both personal growth and safe exploration.
Holistic Approach: Combines outdoor adventure with skill development and personal growth, preparing athletes for success and lifelong enjoyment of the mountains.

Acquired Skills & Certifications

Uphill ski touring technique: includes transition organization, skiing efficiency and skill.
Downhill technique: line selection and skiing skill in all snow conditions and terrain.
General mountain travel: gear selection and familiarity, clothing, nutrition, personal system organization and efficiency.
Mountain sense: mountain navigation, route finding and selection, hazard analysis, and decision making.
Interpersonal skills: leadership, group communication, teamwork, and time management.
Mountaineering and Ski Mountaineering: general use of technical climbing equipment, crampons, ice tools, basic climbing and rappelling techniques, and application of skills.
American Avalanche Association-recognized Level One Avalanche Course
American Avalanche Association-recognized Level Two Avalanche Course (for upper class students with multiple years in the backcountry program)
SOLO Schools Wilderness First Aid certification
SOLO Schools Wilderness First Responder certification (for upper class students with multiple years in the backcountry program)
Yearly attendance at the Eastern Snow and Avalanche Workshop.

List of 1 members.

Garrett Morrow

Backcountry Program Director

Bio
Growing up at Sugarloaf with a Dad on the ski patrol, Garrett developed a love of skiing, and the mountains, early on. In high school, Garrett joined the ski team, and after becoming team captain, he discovered his desire for coaching. Although a former racer, Garret’s passion has always been the backcountry, and exploring the world off-resort.

Garrett brings over two decades of experience to CVA. After traveling all over the continental US and Canada in search of deep powder and steep descents, he returned to the Valley to foster, and instill, a love of backcountry skiing and riding in future generations. As the trip coordinator and lead guide for Saddleback Mountain, Garrett led uphill ski tours in the winter and guided hiking and paddling trips in the summer. At Sugarloaf, he served as a coach for the Big Mountain Bubblecuffer program, helping 12–16 year-olds interested in touring to safely explore, and navigate, all-mountain terrain.

Learning how to be safe in the mountains is a pivotal component of Backcountry skiing and riding. Garrett’s experience in rescue operations, as a ski patroller and fire fighter, help him to better prepare the athletes that he works with. His certifications include Wilderness First Responder, Registered Maine Guide, PSIA Level 1, AIARE Level 1 and Avalanche Rescue, Swift Water Rescue Technician, Pro Board Firefighter 1 & 2, and Wildland Firefighter.

In the off-season, Garrett spends his summers rafting, mountain biking, and hiking. He even completed the full Appalachian Trail!

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Carrabassett Valley Academy

3197 Carrabassett Drive
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
(207) 237-2250

Carrabassett Valley Academy prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any member or group based upon age, gender, race, color, religion, disability, categories sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic predisposition, ancestry or other categories protected by Maine or federal law. CVA does not discriminate on these bases in the administration of its admission process, scholarship and aid programs, educational policies, athletics, or other school-administered programs.