Backcountry Skiing Winter Schools
Updated:2025 dates:
Session #1: Friday, January 24 6:00 pm – Sunday, January 26 4:00 pm 2025
Session #2: Friday, February 28 6:00 pm – Sunday, March 2 4:00 pm 2025
Programs:
Resort-to-light backcountry: cross-country/nordic
Build your nordic skiing skills on rolling, ungroomed terrain, and learn to travel outside of the resort safely on skis
Ever wondered what it would feel like to ski through those beautiful open woods by the brook, but you have always been hesitant venturing off the beaten path because you have an acute sense of self-preservation? Then you are the perfect candidate for this course! We will take your survival instinct and hone it; teaching you how to safely cross-country ski outside the resort, and yet satisfy your child-like curiosity.
You will learn how to navigate uneven terrain and ungroomed snow on your nordic skis, starting with the basics of how to stop and turn on flat ground and gentle slopes, and progressing to steeper and rolling terrain over the course of the weekend. We will also review the wilderness skills and tools you need to be safe and self-sufficient outside of the resort.
Prerequisites: Participants do not need prior backcountry skiing experience, but they should already be comfortable skiing up and down gentle hills on groomed snow, on their nordic equipment.
Gear requirements: metal-edged b/c or xc skis, adjustable length or xc poles & sturdy b/c or xc boots & appropriate bindings (NNN BC or sturdy 75mm).*
Resort-to-backcountry: downhill/alpine touring & telemark
Take your alpine or telemark skills from the resort to the backcountry! We will teach you the skiing and basic wilderness skills you need to tour the backcountry safely (and have fun!)
Are you an intermediate or advanced alpine or telemark skier, who is tired of expensive lift tickets and long lines at resorts? Maybe you have been curious to try “backcountry skiing,” but you weren’t sure how to start. If so, you belong in this course!
We will take those downhill skills you have honed in the resort, and help you translate them to the backcountry. You will learn how to navigate ungroomed snow, trees, and other natural obstacles on your alpine touring (AT) or telemark skis, how to use your climbing skins, and techniques for traveling in the wilderness safely and self-sufficiently. Over the course of the weekend, we will progressively tackle more challenging terrain and teach backcountry-specific skiing techniques. The meaning of survival skiing will be thoroughly explored!
Prerequisites: Participants don’t need previous backcountry skiing experience, but they should already be comfortable skiing blue downhill runs at resorts on alpine or tele gear.
Gear requirements: Metal-edged alpine touring or telemark skis, split board (or snowshoes and a regular board), appropriate boots and correctly-adjusted bindings and pre-fitted climbing skins are required and we expect participants to be familiar with their use. Helmets, Eye Protection, and Knee Pads are STRONGLY recommended!