Adventure, Curated
Explore 5,000+ human-powered experiences — handpicked outdoor adventures for all skill levels with max stoke, zero hassle.
Local Legends, Real Reviews
We partner with the best in the business — trusted local outfitters and guides who know the trails, tides, and terrain. Backed by 185,000+ reviews, averaging 4.8⭐
Book Direct, Best Price Guarantee
Get the best price, availability, and flexibility you need by booking directly with the outfitter or guide.
Protect What You Love
Your adventure gives back. Every booking supports conservation and keeps wild places wild.
Backcountry Skiing 101
This adventure isn't instantly bookable online, but may still be available
Pricing
Description
Introductory Backcountry Skiing Course in Utah's Wasatch Mountains
Through hands-on instruction and guided practice, you’ll learn how to use alpine touring skis or a splitboard, understand basic avalanche concepts, and begin developing the skills needed to plan and execute simple backcountry tours. This course provides a solid foundation for future backcountry travel and more advanced avalanche education.
In addition to the field day, the course includes a Zoom-based evening session the night before your trip to introduce key concepts and prepare you for the day in the mountains.
What You’ll Learn
- How to use skins and alpine touring skis or a splitboard
- Efficient uphill and downhill travel techniques
- Introduction to avalanche safety equipment
- How to read and interpret an avalanche forecast
- How to recognize avalanche terrain
- Basic backcountry trip planning
- Choosing appropriate backcountry equipment
- Emergency response basics
- Constructing an emergency shelter
Duration of Adventure
Location / Where to Meet
Ages & Requirements
Prerequisites:
- Advanced skiing or snowboarding ability (comfortable on all inbounds terrain)
- Moderate to good physical fitness
This course is not suitable for beginner skiers or riders.
Student-to-Instructor Ratio: 5:1
What's Included
- Professional instruction
- Field-based backcountry skiing instruction
- Pre-course Zoom session
- Course-specific terrain selection based on conditions
Not Included
- Personal ski/snowboard equipment
- Avalanche safety gear (available as add-ons)
- Food and water
- Transportation to the meeting location
Optional Add-Ons
- Avalanche beacon
- Shovel
- Probe
- Backpack
- Ski touring skis & skins (DPS Wailer/Pagoda 112 w/ Dynafit bindings)
- Tech-compatible touring boots (Scott Cosmos Tour)
What to Bring / Wear
- Waterproof, insulated winter layers
- Touring skis with skins or splitboard setup
- Ski or snowboard boots compatible with your setup
- Helmet
- Gloves, hat, and goggles
- Food and water for a full day outdoors
A full gear discussion will take place during the pre-course Zoom session.
ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY The Backcountry Pros LLC
FAQs
Do I need prior backcountry or avalanche experience to take this course?
No. Backcountry Skiing 101 is designed as an introductory course. No prior backcountry or avalanche training is required, though participants must be strong, confident skiers or snowboarders.
What level of skiing or snowboarding is required?
Participants must have advanced resort skiing or riding ability and be comfortable on all inbounds terrain. This course is not suitable for beginners.
Is this a guided ski tour or an instructional course?
This is an instructional clinic, not a guided ski tour. The focus is on learning backcountry travel skills, avalanche awareness basics, and efficient movement in the mountains, with some turns along the way.
Will we be climbing uphill using skins?
Yes. You’ll learn how to use climbing skins and alpine touring or splitboard equipment to travel uphill efficiently. Alpine (resort-only) ski setups are not suitable.
Do I need to bring my own avalanche safety gear?
You may bring your own beacon, shovel, probe, and backpack, or rent them as add-ons during booking. All participants must carry avalanche safety equipment during the field day.
Is a splitboard acceptable for snowboarders?
Yes. Snowboarders are welcome as long as they use a splitboard setup. Snowshoes or boot-packing are not appropriate for this course.
How much skiing will we do?
The amount of skiing depends on group fitness, snow conditions, and terrain selection. While this course prioritizes education, you can expect to ski and apply skills learned during the day.
Where does the course take place?
Field locations are selected within the Wasatch Mountains based on current snowpack, avalanche conditions, and weather. The exact meeting location will be shared prior to the course.
What happens if avalanche danger is high?
Courses are rarely canceled due to avalanche danger. Instead, instructors adjust terrain choices to focus on lower-angle slopes and appropriate learning environments based on the day’s conditions.
How physically demanding is this course?
Backcountry skiing is significantly more physical than resort skiing. Participants should be prepared for sustained uphill travel and a full day outdoors in winter conditions.
What elevations will we be traveling at?
Most course terrain falls between 7,000 and 11,500 feet. Altitude can impact performance, especially for those visiting from sea level.
Is this course enough to ski independently in the backcountry?
Backcountry Skiing 101 provides a strong foundation but does not replace a full Level 1 Avalanche Course. Many participants take this course as a first step before taking their AIARE 1.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made more than 30 days before your reservation are eligible to reschedule with no penalty or cancel for a full refund, with the exception of non-private courses, where a minimum of 60 days notice is required for cancellation. Cancellations made within 30 days of your reservation (60 days for courses) are 50% refundable, but may be rescheduled with a 25% fee based on availability. Cancellations made within 7 days of your reservation and “no shows” are non-refundable and there is no option to reschedule.
If an outing is cancelled by The Backcountry Pros LLC due to weather or other reasons, the participant has the option to: reschedule the day, be rewarded with a gift certificate for the value of their outing, or be issued a full refund.
Once an outing starts, no refunds will be given. If less than half of the outing is fulfilled due to weather conditions, the value of half of the outing will be issued as a credit.
Availability
There is no instant booking availability for this adventure. Drop us a line using the contact form below and we'll do our best to help you book this adventure or suggest some alternative options
Reviews
Location
Address
3636 Lora Lee Circle
Cottonwood Heights, UT, 84121
US
ASK THE LOCAL EXPERT
This adventure isn't instantly bookable online, but may still be available
%20Copyright%202023%20Fonticons,%20Inc.%20--%3e%3cpath%20d='M256%2032c12.5%200%2024.1%206.4%2030.8%2017L503.4%20394.4c5.6%208.9%208.6%2019.2%208.6%2029.7c0%2030.9-25%2055.9-55.9%2055.9H55.9C25%20480%200%20455%200%20424.1c0-10.5%203-20.8%208.6-29.7L225.2%2049c6.6-10.6%2018.3-17%2030.8-17zm65%20192L256%20120.4%20176.9%20246.5l18.3%2024.4c6.4%208.5%2019.2%208.5%2025.6%200l25.6-34.1c6-8.1%2015.5-12.8%2025.6-12.8h49z'/%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
Discover 5,000+ handpicked human powered adventures.
%20Copyright%202023%20Fonticons,%20Inc.%20--%3e%3cpath%20d='M302.8%20312C334.9%20271.9%20408%20174.6%20408%20120C408%2053.7%20354.3%200%20288%200S168%2053.7%20168%20120c0%2054.6%2073.1%20151.9%20105.2%20192c7.7%209.6%2022%209.6%2029.6%200zM416%20503l144.9-58c9.1-3.6%2015.1-12.5%2015.1-22.3V152c0-17-17.1-28.6-32.9-22.3l-116%2046.4c-.5%201.2-1%202.5-1.5%203.7c-2.9%206.8-6.1%2013.7-9.6%2020.6V503zM15.1%20187.3C6%20191%200%20199.8%200%20209.6V480.4c0%2017%2017.1%2028.6%2032.9%2022.3L160%20451.8V200.4c-3.5-6.9-6.7-13.8-9.6-20.6c-5.6-13.2-10.4-27.4-12.8-41.5l-122.6%2049zM384%20255c-20.5%2031.3-42.3%2059.6-56.2%2077c-20.5%2025.6-59.1%2025.6-79.6%200c-13.9-17.4-35.7-45.7-56.2-77V449.4l192%2054.9V255z'/%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
Book directly with vetted local experts.
Average 4.8 ⭐️ across 185,000 reviews.
%20Copyright%202023%20Fonticons,%20Inc.%20--%3e%3cpath%20d='M57.7%20193l9.4%2016.4c8.3%2014.5%2021.9%2025.2%2038%2029.8L163%20255.7c17.2%204.9%2029%2020.6%2029%2038.5v39.9c0%2011%206.2%2021%2016%2025.9s16%2014.9%2016%2025.9v39c0%2015.6%2014.9%2026.9%2029.9%2022.6c16.1-4.6%2028.6-17.5%2032.7-33.8l2.8-11.2c4.2-16.9%2015.2-31.4%2030.3-40l8.1-4.6c15-8.5%2024.2-24.5%2024.2-41.7v-8.3c0-12.7-5.1-24.9-14.1-33.9l-3.9-3.9c-9-9-21.2-14.1-33.9-14.1H257c-11.1%200-22.1-2.9-31.8-8.4l-34.5-19.7c-4.3-2.5-7.6-6.5-9.2-11.2c-3.2-9.6%201.1-20%2010.2-24.5l5.9-3c6.6-3.3%2014.3-3.9%2021.3-1.5l23.2%207.7c8.2%202.7%2017.2-.4%2021.9-7.5c4.7-7%204.2-16.3-1.2-22.8l-13.6-16.3c-10-12-9.9-29.5%20.3-41.3l15.7-18.3c8.8-10.3%2010.2-25%203.5-36.7l-2.4-4.2c-3.5-.2-6.9-.3-10.4-.3C163.1%2048%2084.4%20108.9%2057.7%20193zM464%20256c0-36.8-9.6-71.4-26.4-101.5L412%20164.8c-15.7%206.3-23.8%2023.8-18.5%2039.8l16.9%2050.7c3.5%2010.4%2012%2018.3%2022.6%2020.9l29.1%207.3c1.2-9%201.8-18.2%201.8-27.5zM0%20256a256%20256%200%201%201%20512%200A256%20256%200%201%201%200%20256z'/%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
Every booking contributes to conservation.
Proud member of The Conservation Alliance and Leave No Trace.