Ski Mountaineering Course

Peak’s 3-day Ski Mountaineering Course offers students a comprehensive curriculum of skills necessary to engage technical/roped terrain on skis and snowboard. The blend of mountaineering and backcountry skiing gifts some of the most incredible days in the mountains. The course can either be camping based in Yankee Boy Basin or in the Last Dollar or the OPUS Hut creating an immersive ski mountaineering experience that will prepare participants for ski mountaineering trips around the world.

The transition from Peak Mountain Guides to Mountain Trip has happened! Please contact Mountain Trip’s Telluride, CO office at 970-369-1153 to book. 

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Outline


Day 1:
We will meet at the Peak Mountain Guides office at 8:00 am to have introductions, learn about each participant’s goals for the course, and check everyone’s equipment. You will be introduced to a “fast & light” approach and review maps of the area and create a route plan for our approach into camp. From there, we will carpool to the trailhead and ski into either the Last Dollar, OPUS Hut, or Yankee Boy Basin.

Day 2:
We will make an ascent and ski descent of a nearby peak, learning fundamental ski mountaineering skills along the way. You will learn strategies for efficient tracksetting, on-the-go snowpack observations, and you will get hands-on practice with ski mountaineering tools such as ski crampons, ice axe, and/or boot crampons. You will learn how to properly use each of these tools for improved safety and efficiency in firm, icy, and/or steep terrain. We will also ski a steep line that may require belayed skiing or use of the rope for protection.

Day 3:
The final day of the course we will make a ascent and ski descent of a sizable technical Peak near the hut (larger than the second day). You will get to employ techniques for steep snow climbing with crampons and ice axe, roped climbing, and possibly ski belays or a rappel.


Skills Covered


  • Tour Planning and terrain selection
  • Map, compass, GPS navigation
  • Setting an up tract effiency for observations
  • Use of ski crampons, piolet, and boot crampons
  • Constructing ski anchors
  • Belayed skiing techniques
  • Lowering/rappelling for access to steep terrain
  • Steep skiing and riding techniques
  • Advanced snowpack stability assessment
  • Lightweight alpine camping systems
  • Crevasse rescue

Contact Us

Mountain Trip

135 W Colorado Ave 2A | Telluride, C0 81435

Authorized Permittee

Peak Mountain Guides is an authorized permittee of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison National Forest; San Juan National Forest; Bureau of Land Management Monticello, Moab, Gunnison, and Glennallen Field Offices; Eldorado Canyon State Park; Ouray Ice Park, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks; and National Parks including Mt. Rainier, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Colorado National Monument. Peak Mountain Guides is an equal opportunity service provider.