SKI MOUNTAINEERING
Starting from$193 pp
Experience the ultimate combination of skiing and mountaineering, navigating through winter terrain while climbing to impressive summits. Ski Mountaineering offers the perfect adventure for thrill-seekers and seasoned skiers.
- Learn essential techniques for ascending and descending in high alpine environments
- Develop avalanche awareness and snow safety skills
- Access remote and untouched terrain for a true wilderness experience
- Ideal for skiers looking to elevate their experience beyond the resort, from beginners through advanced riders
Winter Guided
Ski Mountaineering
What is Ski Mountaineering (SkiMo), and who is it for?
Ski Mountaineering, often referred to as SkiMo, is the perfect outing for skiers interested in exploring technical backcountry terrain and challenging alpine environments. It’s designed for those who want to push their skills beyond regular backcountry tours and tackle advanced objectives that require a mix of skiing, climbing, and mountaineering techniques.
Do I need prior SkiMo experience to join the outing?
No prior SkiMo experience is necessary! Whether you’re new to ski mountaineering or already have some experience, we’ll work with you to create a plan that matches your skills and goals. Our guides will tailor the experience to help you develop and practice the techniques needed to feel confident in a SkiMo environment.
What skills will I learn during a SkiMo outing?
During our SkiMo program, you’ll cover a range of essential skills, including trip planning, gear selection, uphill and downhill travel techniques, and technical skills. The curriculum is flexible and will be adapted to your interests, whether you want to focus on steep skiing, avalanche terrain management, or advanced climbing techniques.
How physically demanding is a SkiMo outing?
SkiMo outings can be medium to high-level physically challenging, as they involve traveling through varied backcountry terrain and potentially carrying skis or climbing gear, at a top level. However, the pace and itinerary will be adjusted to match your fitness level and goals. Whether you’re looking for a more relaxed introduction or a demanding alpine adventure, our guides will tailor the experience to suit your needs.
Testimonials
Ski Mountaineering
Skimo
Our Ski Mountaineering outing is the perfect experience for skiers interested in the backcountry and alpine environment or those comfortable in the alpine looking to push themselves. Ski mountaineering will give you experience traveling through avalanche terrain, and make you comfortable with the technical skills for beginner rock and ice climbing. Riding the big mountains, and technical terrain of Colorado can be a challenging objective for many backcountry riders and traveling through the mountains to reach a ski mountaineering objective requires an increased combination of skills and decision making challenges for backcountry travel, that go beyond the skill and decision making demands for a weekend day tours at the local backcountry area.
During a Ski Mountaineering program, you will work with your guide to develop and practice the skills needed to identify, plan, and shred that technical line you have been looking at all season. Our Ski Mountaineering outings take place over two days and the emphasis is on your group and the skills that you want to improve upon or begin developing. The baseline curriculum for a Ski Mountaineering program will cover information around trip planning, gear selection, uphill and downhill mountain travel techniques, and technical skills practice for anchor building and advanced rappelling.
* If you do not have experience ski mountaineering you can book the itinerary and communicate with your guide to develop a plan for working your way towards a Ski Mountaineering experience.
Difficulty:
Easy – Difficult
Duration:
6 – 7 hours
Location:
Leadville, CO (Chalk Creek)
Vail, CO (Meadow Mountain)
San Juan Range
Policies
Terms, Conditions, and Cancellation Policy
Contact Us for Large Group bookings.
Possible Itinerary Progression
Day one: Classroom session and half day in the field
AM
- Gear review
- Skis, boots, poles, backpack|
- Crampons, axe(s), harness, rope, anchor material
- Satnav, apps, map, compass, first aid, repair kit
- Planning for an objective
- Caltopo
- Time plan
- paper map and compass theory
- weather and snow
PM
- Field session
- Movement
- Using ski crampons
- kick turns
- Walking with crampons and an ice axe
- Carrying skis (A-frame and Euro carry)
- Snow anchor basics
- Extended rappel
- Steep skiing techniques
Day Two: Alpine start
Student planned and executed ski mountaineering experience.
Other Possible topics
- How to select the correct Ski Mountaineering gear for your objective
- How to plan for a ski mountaineering objective
- Using crampons and an ice axe for mountain travel, including instruction and practice with performing self arrest
- Ski mountaineering anchor techniques for rock, ice and snow
- Uphill and downhill movement refinement
- Terrain management techniques to limit exposure to avalanches
- Advanced rappelling techniques (optional)
All ages 12 and up (contact us in advance if there are minors in your party), fitness levels, and abilities are welcome.
Participants should be prepared to travel in the backcountry by either ski or splitboard.
All outings take place at altitude in mountainous terrain. We encourage clients to come prepared for all mountain weather conditions.
Available Daily
Select date on booking calendar above.
Apex Mountain School Provides
- Combination of skiing and mountaineering in a high alpine environment
- Outings tailored for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced skiers
- Instruction on essential techniques: uphill/downhill travel, trip planning, gear selection
- Avalanche awareness and snow safety skills integrated into training
- Two-day program covering classroom and field sessions
- Hands-on skills: ski crampons, kick turns, A-frame/Euro carry, snow anchors, steep skiing, rappelling
- Options for advanced topics: anchor building (rock/ice/snow), advanced rappelling, terrain management
- Suitable for participants 12 years and older, prepared for backcountry travel on skis or splitboards
- Guides are highly qualified (AMGA/AIARE certifications)
What to Bring
- A/T Skis, Skins, A/T Boots, Poles, and Ski Crampons
- 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, Googles, 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
- Sunglasses, sunscreen
- Pack (26-30 Liters) that can accommodate, shovel, probe, skins, 1-2 water bottles or thermos, lunch, snacks, extra clothing when climbing, googles…
YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER
- Hand warmers
- Hot liquid
- Gaiters
- Liner socks
- Extra gloves
- Lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle insulator
- Camera
- Be comfortable skiing in backcountry or ungroomed terrain
- Have a splitboard or alpine touring ski setupwith skins
- Wearlayered clothing: base, insulating, and waterproof outer shell
- Bring helmet, goggles, warm gloves, and a hat
- Carry a backpack (30–40L)to store layers, food, water, and gear
- Packavalanche safety gear: beacon, shovel, probe (rental available if needed)
- Bringski crampons and climbing skinsfor uphill travel
- Packhigh-energy snacks and lunch
- Carry at least 2 liters of waterin an insulated bottle or hydration system
- Applysunscreen and wear sunglassesto protect from sun and glare
- Be physically prepared for long uphill climbs and steep descents
- Review basic avalanche safety and ski touring techniquesif you’re a beginner
- Inform the guide of any medical conditions or limitations
- Be ready for variable mountain weather and long days in the field
Other Outings You Might Like
Mountaineering 101
Learn the fundamentals of mountaineering in this beginner-friendly course. Perfect for adventurers ready to explore high alpine environments safely.
Mountaineering 102
Take your skills to the next level with Mountaineering 102, where you’ll deepen your techniques for more challenging winter climbs.
Mountaineering 103
Master technical climbing skills in Mountaineering 103, designed for experienced adventurers ready for serious alpine challenges.
Mount Elbert
Hone your climbing techniques with our focused skills training, perfect for anyone looking to advance in mountaineering.
Mount Arkansas
Take on the challenge of ascending a 14,000-foot peak during the winter season. With expert guides, you’ll experience the beauty and intensity of Colorado’s winter backcountry while summiting these majestic mountains.
Winter Fourteeners
Take on the challenge of ascending a 14,000-foot peak during the winter season. With expert guides, you’ll experience the beauty and intensity of Colorado’s winter backcountry while summiting these majestic mountains.
Contact Us
We’re Happy To Help!
Reach out with any questions
Address
40800 US Highway 6, Unit 7, Avon, CO 81620