I took several classes and private guided backcountry skiing tours with MAS this year. I originally selected them because of their proximity to Bear Valley which I knew well from my visits to the cross-country center in winter as well as summer hiking and mountain biking. For backcountry skiing, Bear Valley offers a variety of moderate to difficult terrain to progressively get into the sport. Most importantly to me, it's easy to get to from the Bay Area. Contrary to Lake Tahoe, where Hwy 80 is often clogged from weekend traffic and weather, driving to BV on Hwy 4 is below 2000 ft until the last 30 miles up the mountain which is usally well-maintained. It takes only 3:15h door-to-door from the South Bay to Bear Valley if there is no traffic or significant weather.
I started first with a private guided tour to learn about the Bear Valley backcountry. I explained to Aaron Johnson - together with his wife Kimi the owner of MAS - my goals and general fitness level. Most of the initial contact happened over email, which was very convenient for me during my busy day. Aaron was quick and responsive, and we agreed on a schedule and tour plan. The MAS guide, Steve, was patient to explain the area and introduce me to the basics (skins, gear, climbing technique, getting around in deep powder, avalanche basics). MAS is very safety conscientious; the day of my tour it was snowing heavily and the avalanche danger was significant. Aaron and Steve quickly figured out a way how I could still accomplish my goals by using the Bear Valley ski area sidecountry and access roads. They have excellent relations to the Bear Valley ski resort and worked things out with them.
After I decided that I wanted to get more into the sport and to prepare myself for unguided tours as well, I signed up for a AIARE Level 1 avalanche education and certification class. This class is usually 3 days, but I worked out with Aaron that I could split it up over two weekends. Aaron gave the class himself. He is a very good and patient teacher, but also humerous and fun. He's the kind of guy that you know you can trust to learn critical skills from, without taking any unneccessary risks, but at the same time carefully pushing the limits of your skills. The split into two weekends worked out great for me, even though Aaron had to accomodate the schedule a bit so I did not miss any material due to the fact that the groups on both weekend were different and had progressed at different speeds.
My next trip was another guided tour with Steve as the guide and a friend of mine, where we took a full-day backcountry trip up to Mt Reba (8755 ft) and into the Round Valley. Again, that trip was nicely executed by Steve. He is a friendly and personable guy, very good ski instructor and knows the area well. It's like spending a day with a good buddy.
My 4th program with MAS was with Kimi for a 2 day weekend mountaineering course covering ice climbing with the use of crampons and ice axe as well as a rope team and snow anchor workshop. Due to the small class size (only 2 people) Kimi got through the program quickly within a day. Usually, MAS offers a 3rd optional day for glacier travel and crevasse rescue workshop. Thanks to the expedited schedule, we were able to do in 2 days what's usually done in 3 days. It was an incredible value, and a really intense two days where we got a lot of personal attention thanks to the small group size. I had no idea of any of the skills, but I feel like I learned a very good foundation upon which I can confidently build to eventually join a tour for longer expeditions like up to Mt Shasta. Kimi is an extraordinary teacher, with lots of attention to detail, very serious, concerned for everybody's safety and provides a lot of practical tips throughout the class that I found invaluable.
MAS is a small company, but due to the professionalism of the friendly staff and the small intimate setting in the small Bear Valley community it is a lot of fun, and you get a lot of value out of your money. They are very responsive either by phone or email, and are able to quickly customize a program for you that fits your objectives and works around your availability. I can't compare them with any other guide company, simply because I did not take any classes elsewhere, but I was very satisfied with their service and higly recommend them. read more