Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding Courses
Build the Skills to Ski Big Mountain Objectives
Take your backcountry skiing or splitboarding beyond basic touring with hands-on instruction for the full gamut of technical systems, glacier travel, and steep skiing techniques necessary for ski mountaineering. From the San Juan Mountains to the glaciated peaks of the North Cascades and Alaska, our ski mountaineering courses are customized to teach you the systems and build your confidence to move safely through complex mountain ski terrain.
Our team of AMGA certified Ski Guides are expert skiers and splitboarders, with a proven resume of steep descents around the world. We’re passionate about sharing our experience and taking you beyond backcountry skiing and into the bigger mountains.
Intermediate to advanced ski mountaineering courses. These courses follow a progression of increasing difficulty and technical challenges, from an intro to ski mountaineering on Red Mountain Pass and the San Juan Mountains to glaciated descents on Mount Baker and big lines in Alaska.
Previous backcountry skiing/splitboarding experience required for all courses. Skiers and riders must be proficient descending black diamond terrain in the resort.
Courses vary in length.
Intro To Ski Alpinism is a 3 day course.
Glaciated Skiing Seminar is a 5 day course.
Intro To Ski Alpinism is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado on Red Mountain Pass and Mount Sneffels. Glaciated Skiing Seminar is on Mount Baker, Washington.
Why Learn Ski Mountaineering Techniques From Us?
Skyward Mountaineering offers guided backcountry skiing and splitboarding courses in the San Juan Mountains, Mount Baker, Washington, and in Alaska. Our access to these incredible ski mountaineering venues provides a logical progression for skill development.
Our guides aren't simply “experienced” skiers, they're AMGA certified Ski Guides and IFMGA Mountain Guides who understand how ski movement, climbing, snow science, and route selection come together in complex terrain. With decades of experience ski guiding in the San Juan Mountains and on major ski objectives around the world, including Alaska, Canada, the Alps, Greenland, Norway, and South America, we focus on practical skills that transfer directly to your own mountain adventures.
What You’ll Learn in a Ski Mountaineering Course:
Steep skiing movement coaching
How to climb steep snow with crampons and ice axe
Snow and rock anchors
Belayed ski descents
Rappelling
Skiing in glaciated terrain
Winter ski camping
Glacier uphill touring techniques
Snow anchors
Crevasse rescue
Avalanche education for backcountry skiers & splitboarders
Learn how to make a winter tour plan
Types of avalanches
Understanding the avalanche forecast
Human factors in decision making
Snowpack analysis
Winter basecamp expedition camping
Steep skiing technique and coaching
Application of skills learned on previous courses in big mountain terrain
EPIC skiing in Alaska!
Ready to Take Your Skiing Skills to the Next Level? Customize Your Ski Mountaineering Course:
Private, custom instruction is available throughout the San Juan Mountains and Washington. Our instructors can also customize the content and curriculum of a backcountry skiing or ski mountaineering course to best fit your experience level and goals. Sign up for a private backcountry skiing course!