Advanced Backcountry Skiing
All ages 12 and up
Venture beyond the lift lines and crowded resorts, and ski your own mountain with our Advanced Backcountry Skiing trip! This private introduction to backcountry skiing is a great way to jump start your love for the solitude and pristine ski and split board (backcountry snowboarding) lines found in the Colorado backcountry.
Breathe cool Colorado mountain air and enjoy the views as we guide you into the alpine, at a pace that is enjoyable for you. Alpine forests and open slopes lay waiting for your first tracks through untouched Vail, Colorado backcountry powder.
Beginner backcountry skiing is available to skiers and boarders of all ability levels, including first time skiers and snowboarders. Slopes for skiing and snowboarding range from low angle beginner to intermediate as appropriate, with an emphasis placed on ease of travel, technique overview and enjoying the day.
Possible Topics
- Introduction to equipment and its use.
- Skinning (or ascension) technique.
- Efficient travel techniques.
- Backcountry skiing and snowboarding instruction.
Choose a private day tour, select one of our group beginner backcountry skiing courses, or try an overnight tour to one of the remote Vail, Colorado area backcountry huts. No matter the trip, our focus is on creating an unforgettable day, developing your technique, and taking your skills to the next level.
Apex has Vail, Colorado backcountry skiing itineraries available to clients of all ages, abilities and fitness levels. We welcome individuals, groups, families and friends.
Booking / More Info
All ages 12 and up
ADVANCED BACKCOUNTRY SKIING – QUICK INFO
Better your skills with this Advanced Backcountry Skiing course.
All ages 12 and up
DATES
Available daily
DURATION
6-7 hours
LOCATION
Vail, CO (Meadow Mountain, Sprattle Creek)
Leadville, CO (Chalk Creek)
San Juan Range
DIFFICULTY
Moderate – Difficult
See our inclusion policy for special group requests.
WHAT TO BRING
Each person in your party will need.
- An AT (Alpine Touring), Telemark, or Splitboarding package.
- Beacon/Probe/Shovel (rental available) No Plastic Shovels Please
- 1-2 water bottles or thermos
- Lunch, and high energy snacks such as nut bars, cookies, chocolate
- Headwear – Visor or Cap, Hat or Helmet, Goggles, Sunglasses
- Balaclava or neck gaiter
- One pair of gloves, one pair of mittens for cold days
- Synthetic or wool base layer
- Mid Weight base layer fleece or sweater
- Puffy Jacket
- Shell Jacket
- Synthetic or wool long johns
- Ski pants with zippered vents OR mid weight fleece layer and shell pants
- Synthetic or wool socks optimum weight for your boot fit
- Sunscreen
- Pack (26-30 Liters) that can accommodate, shovel, probe, skins, 1-2 water bottles or thermos, lunch, snacks, extra clothing when climbing, goggles…
ALSO CONSIDER
- Hand warmers
- Hot liquid
- Gaiters
- Liner socks
- Adjustable Poles
- Small day pack
- Extra gloves
- Lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle insulator
- Camera
During times of Covid-19 concern please bring:
Face mask, Hand Sanitizer, Rubber Gloves (if desired)
OPTIONS
ALPINE TOURING SKIS
Alpine Touring Skis allow backcountry skiers to ascend uphill with heels free, in walking mode with skins, and shorter boots make for ease of backcountry travel. Transitioning into downhill mode is as simple as removing your ascension skins and locking your heels down. The downhill ski technique is very similar to traditional downhill skiing at a ski area. This set-up, known commonly as AT skiing, offers an excellent opportunity for resort skiers to experience the backcountry.
SPLITBOARDS
Splitboards are snowboards that are halved down the middle. They can be used as ascension skis during uphill travel, accompanied by skins, and rejoined as a single unit for descent. Splitboards offer the resort rider an efficient transition to backcountry riding.
TELEMARK SKIS
Telemark Skis operate with a “free heel” system (no heel attachments exist for uphill or downhill travel) that allows you to ascend in walking mode with skins, as well as to descend in telemark mode, with the uphill knee bent slightly during turns. This option is available to skiers with telemark experience, and to skiers that wish to transition into telemarking. Flexible plastic boots and a fixed toe binding make walking more natural than AT skis.
