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.

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.