Events
SoVTA has many events for our members and users of the network throughout the year. We have trail work days, group mountain bike rides, backcountry touring zone work days, clinics, and parties. These events are what makes a community. Sovta also lists events for our neighboring advocacy groups as they are also doing some incredible projects around the state, We are always looking for volunteers for the events and if you would be interest please get in touch with us at events@sovta.org
SoVTA Hosted Saturday Tours @ The Dover Town Forest
Each week SoVTA’s Executive Director Steve Petrik will take a group out and work on the skills new and seasoned users need to be safe and efficient in backcountry touring. This will be a informal, low pressure clinic with a focus on fun and enjoying the natural resource that is the Dover Town Forest. The topics will change from week to week depending on the conditions and the skill level of the group. We will try to post the skills we will be working on the week before so you can plan ahead but again these clinics will tailored to the group and the conditions the day of. These tours are open to everyone and are no drop. We do ask that you can comfortably ski or ride in moderately pitched tree’d terrain. This is not a Ski or Snowboard lesson. Please See the Required Equipment List. If you have any specific questions please feel free to email us at events2022@sovta.org or contact us on social media.
10am-2pm
Host: Steve Petrik
Topic: Tools for efficient travel on the skin track and best practices for setting a skin track.
We are hoping we get a few more inches of snow so we can get back into some of our lower angle terrain.
Early season conditions exist, there are logs, exposed rocks and open water. You must be comfortable navigating those and other early season hazards.
“Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.”
10am-2pm
Host: TBD and Steve Petrik
Topic: Women’s specific Touring skills clinic
10am-2pm
Host: Steve Petrik
Topic: TBD
10am-2pm
Host: Steve Petrik
Topic: TBD
10am-2pm
Host: Steve Petrik
Topic: TBD
10am-2pm
Host: Steve Petrik
Topic: TBD
10am-2pm
Host: Steve Petrik
Topic: TBD
ion Content
Backcountry skiing and riding is very different than being at a resort. You will exert way more energy on a tour than you would ever at a ski area. Your body temperature will fluctuate wildly. You will drink way more water than you expect.
Here is some of the equipment that is required and the gear that we suggest you bring to make you tour more comfortable and enjoyable.
Touring Equipment: Required.
Skis with touring bindings or splitboard, Don’t forget your poles……
Climbing skins
Backpack
Water bottle
As much food as you need for a day of high output activity.
Other Gear: Optional
Layers… Dress in layers.
Thin synthetic or wool base layer. A thin wool sweater or fleece mid-layer.
Packable down or synthetic jacket.
Waterproof outer shell for the downs. Puffy’s never win in a fight with a tree.
Two pairs of gloves. Wet cold gloves are no fun.
Sunglasses. Are really nice when you take a branch to the face.
Goggles with the appropriate tint for the conditions.
Crushable trucker hat. Helps prevent snow or sun in your face while skinning.
Thursday Evening Tour at Horace Hill
6-8pm
On Thursday nights SoVTA will host a headlamp tour of Horace Hill (weather permitting). We will be leaving from the fire pit behind OMT and returning to OMT for a few post tour libations. This tour will be hosted by one of the SoVTA board members each week. This tour is open to people on touring skis, splitboards and snowshoes. We may have extra snowshoes if people need them thanks to CTA.
These tours are open to everyone and are no drop. We do ask that you can comfortably ski or ride in moderately pitched tree’d terrain. This is not a Ski or Snowboard lesson. Please See the Required Equipment List.
Skis with touring bindings, splitboard or snowshoes, Don’t forget your poles……
Headlamp
Climbing skins
Backpack
Water bottle