Backcountry Ski Touring Skills Seminar

This course has been specifically designed with the backcountry ski enthusiast in mind. If you already possess a good deal of ski touring experience but would like to refine your ability to plan and carry out a backcountry ski tour, then this is the perfect course for you. This is also the perfect course to follow up our AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course. We will cover topics such as:

• Trip and Tour planning
• On-sight route-finding
• Team leadership
• GPS and Whiteout Navigation techniques
• Essential backcountry equipment for a trip leader
• Powder snow skiing techniques

Come and join us for a truly unforgettable course that will impress upon you just how incredibly fun it is to be out in the wilderness on your skis!

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Meet at the SWA guides office at 7:00 am. We'll begin the day with a trip and tour planning classroom session. We then drive to the Silverton/Red Mountain pass area to begin the day's instruction focusing on the topics listed above, and conduct a full ski tour along the way.

Additional Information

Prerequisites: Participants should feel competent and comfortable on "Blue" rated runs at ski resorts. Participants should also be in excellent physical condition. We recommend that participants arrive in Durango at least 1 full day prior to travelling with us in the San Juan high country.

Trip Cost Includes: Guiding and instruction. Avalanche probe, shovel, and beacon, boots, skis, and climbing skins are available for rent from our shop for an additional cost.

Not Included: Hotel costs before, during or after the courses. 3% land use surcharge, trip cancellation insurance, personal climbing, skiing, or camping equipment, or gratuities.

Registration and Cancellation: You will need to fill out our Domestic Registration Form, cancellation policy agreement, and liability waiver, and send it to us with a 50% deposit as early as possible prior to the trip date. Balance is due on the first day of the course. Please click on our Registration/Travel link to access the required forms.