Ski Mountaineering
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.
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
- Movement
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.
BOOKING / MORE INFO
Are you ready to book your private Ski Mountaineering outing? Register with the accompanying calendar, call (970) 949-9111 or use our contact page to request more info.
Take your Backcountry Skills to new heights with our Ski Mountaineering Course!
DATES
Available daily
DURATION
6-7 hours
Larger groups are welcome! Call 970-949-9111 for pricing and details.
LOCATION
Leadville, CO (Chalk Creek)
Vail, CO (Meadow Mountain)
San Juan Range
DIFFICULTY
Easy – Difficult
SKI MOUNTAINEERING
Venture beyond the lift lines and crowded resorts, and ride your own mountain! This private backcountry splitboarding trip is a great way to jump start your love for the solitude and pristine 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 backcountry powder.
Breckenridge Splitboarding is available to boarders of all ability levels, including first timers. Slopes for splitboarding 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
- In-depth Tour Planning
- Risk Management Techniques
- Rope Skills
- Anchor Skills
Choose a private day tour 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.
BOOKING / MORE INFO
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
