Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Course
A comprehensive introduction to backcountry skiing
This 2‑day course is designed to provide comprehensive instruction to backcountry skiing with our school. Whether you’re looking to exit out of the gates at the local resort or just seeking to expand your available ski opportunities, this course is an ideal place to start. We will combine fundamental skills instruction with great moderate powder skiing at areas around Stevens Pass, Blewett Pass, Mt Baker, and Snoqualmie Pass, hopefully creating an experience that has you yearning for more.
Topics will include, developing a tour plan, selecting appropriate terrain for uphill and downhill travel, and applying appropriate travel techniques while searching out untouched powder stashes. This course allows time to get in-depth, covering the basics as well as some more complex subjects like managing complex terrain, identifying “decision points,” powder skiing technique, and rescue scenarios. Participants will be given an active role, to have a chance to test their judgment while under the instructor’s guidance. And of course, plenty of turns will be had by all!
Round out your backcountry education by also joining us for an AIARE Level 1 Course this season.
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Course Perks
Pow — if you hit it after a dump of new snow, not only will you learn a whole bunch, but you’ll maybe even get some face shots! Regardless, this course will give you confidence to get out of bounds and into the backcountry, where the really good stuff lies waiting for you.
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Description
This is an introductory course with no specific backcountry skiing experience required. Intermediate ski skills are recommended. It is open for telemark and alpine touring skiers, as well as snowboarders.
This course involves the following:
- Skiing with a day pack
- Skiing intermediate level terrain with some slopes to the black diamond level
- Long days in the snow and in potentially adverse weather
- Skiers should be in excellent physical condition and competent on varied terrain
Course Curriculum:
- Selection of proper equipment
- Care and use of climbing skins
- Transceiver check
- Skinning and uphill travel technique
- Terrain selection, management, and travel techniques (up/down)
- Group decision making
- Trip planning and prep
- Self-rescue/companion rescue
- Simple snow pack tests
Have a Question? Contact Us!
Price
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Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals — Stevens Pass
$525 – 2 Days
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Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals — Snoqualmie Pass
$525 – 2 Days
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Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals w/Extension — Stevens Pass
$695 – 3 Days
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Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals w/Extension — Snoqualmie Pass
$695 – 3 Days
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Price Includes
- Group climbing equipment
- Guide services
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Price Does Not Include
- Airfare
- Transportation
- Meals on the mountain
- Hotel accommodations
- Restaurant meals
- Gratuities for guides
- All personal gear
- Travel insurance with trip cancellation, medical and evacuation policy
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Payment Schedule
- Full payment at time of registration by credit card, which includes $200 non-refundable registration fee
Dates
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Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Stevens Pass 2025
- Jan 18, 2025 — Jan 19, 2025
- Feb 1, 2025 — Feb 2, 2025
- Feb 15, 2025 — Feb 16, 2025
- Mar 1, 2025 — Mar 2, 2025
- Mar 15, 2025 — Mar 16, 2025
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Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Snoqualmie Pass 2025
- Jan 25, 2025 — Jan 26, 2025
- Feb 8, 2025 — Feb 9, 2025
- Feb 22, 2025 — Feb 23, 2025
- Mar 8, 2025 — Mar 9, 2025
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Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Stevens Pass 2026
- Jan 17, 2026 — Jan 18, 2026
- Jan 31, 2026 — Feb 1, 2026
- Feb 14, 2026 — Feb 15, 2026
- Feb 28, 2026 — Mar 1, 2026
- Mar 14, 2026 — Mar 15, 2026
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Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Snoqualmie Pass 2026
- Jan 24, 2026 — Jan 25, 2026
- Feb 7, 2026 — Feb 8, 2026
- Feb 21, 2026 — Feb 22, 2026
- Mar 7, 2026 — Mar 8, 2026
Custom Dates Available — Contact Us
Policies
Cancellation / Refund Policy
- MMI strongly recommends trip cancellation/interruption and evacuation insurance for all trips. Our insurance partner, Ripcord, offers comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, as well as rescue/evacuation policies and can assist in answering any questions. In addition, Participant is expected to have sufficient medical insurance as prescribed by their country of origin. Participant understands that MMI does not include any type of insurance with the cost of the trip.
- If you decide to cancel your trip or change your itinerary, MMI must be notified in writing. Your trip will be cancelled from the date written notice is received. If proper written cancellation notice is not received, amounts paid and reservations made will be forfeited.
- Non-refundable fees may apply for certain trips in order to secure permits and other services. MMI must strictly adhere to cancellation policies outside MMI’s control.
- Due to the personalized service we offer on our trips, MMI reserves the right to waive any fees. We will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations, waiving certain fees when feasible.
- Circumstances outside the control of MMI and its partners, may require amended cancellation/refund policies. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to COVID-19, natural disasters, wildfires, terrorism and so forth.
Domestic Trips/Courses:
- Full refund, less the non-refundable registration fee, will be provided 91 days or more before the departure date
- No refunds will be provided 90 days or less before the departure date
Trip Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel cancellation insurance to protect you from the unexpected. You aren’t likely to think of it now, but people do get ill, break a bone, have a family emergency or get assigned to a last-minute business trip. If you are in remote areas, please note that emergency rescue & evacuation can be very expensive.
We also strongly urge you to consider rescue and evacuation insurance if your own policy does not provide the coverage needed. Services available may include, but are not limited to, helicopter evacuation, medical care, etc.
If you choose not to purchase insurance, you assume full responsibility for any expenses incurred in the event of a medical emergency and/or evacuation, as well as for trip cancellation, interruption, lost luggage, etc. We are not the experts and therefore ask that you please consult our travel insurance partner directly with any specific questions.
To protect against losses due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances, Mountain Madness strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance as soon as possible after making a deposit. Mountain Madness has partnered with Redpoint Resolutions as our preferred travel insurance provider. Redpoint’s Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ is designed for adventurers.
For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click this link Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ or call +1 – 415-481‑0600. Pricing varies based on age, trip cost, trip length, and level of coverage.
Critical benefits of Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance include:
- A completely integrated program with a single point of contact for emergency services, travel assistance, and insurance claims
- Evacuation and rescue services from your point of injury or illness to your hospital of choice
- Comprehensive travel insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, baggage loss or delay, emergency accident and emergency sickness medical expense, emergency dental, accidental death and dismemberment, and more
- Optional security evacuation coverage in case of an unplanned natural disaster or other security events
- Waiver for pre-existing conditions (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
- Optional “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
Itinerary
Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Day by Day
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Day 1
We will meet at 8:00 am in the parking lot, perform a gear check and introductions, and then we start our tour. We will learn how to use the gear efficiently, which includes learning more about skis, skins, transceivers, and shovels. We will then continue our education by focusing on terrain management, track setting, and more advanced transceiver techniques. In the afternoon we will make several tour plans based on our weather observations.
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Day 2
We bring all the skills together and get you out in front, leading the group and attempting a big tour. After earning our turns we wrap up the course at 4:00 pm in the parking lot.
Note on Itinerary: Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, the very nature of climbing and skiing in an alpine environment requires flexibility. This itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, and other reasons beyond our control.
Equipment for Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals Course
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Carrying Gear
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Ski Pack (35-45L)
35 to 45 liter capacity, avoid unnecessary options that add weight. Ideally a ski specific pack with avalanche tool pocket
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Climbing Gear
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Skis
with alpine touring or telemark bindings
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Split snowboard
backcountry touring specific snowboard
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Collapsible Ski Poles
adjustable ski poles with powder (big) baskets
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Climbing skins
with Glop Stopper skin wax
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Splitboard/Ski specific crampons
for all ski mountaineering trips
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Avalanche Beacon
beacon needs to be on 457 frequency
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Avalance Probe
no ski pole probes!
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Shovel
small collapsible style
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Snow study kit (optional)
optional except the Level 2 course
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Snow saw (optional)
optional but recommended
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Head and Face
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Fleece or wool hat
It must cover the ears
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Ski goggles
To fit over glacier glasses in high wind. Rose or amber lenses
Examples:
Smith, Oakley
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Sunglasses
Essential eye protection whether in the tropics or by the water. Look for 100% UVA/UVB protection. Consider bringing a spare pair
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Shade hat or baseball cap
A visor hat with a good brim is essential for protection from the sun
Examples:
Mountain Madness trucker hat
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Ski Helmet (optional)
lightweight
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Hands
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Liner gloves
Two pairs thin fleece or synthetic
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Mid-weight gloves
1-2 pairs
Examples:
Black Diamond Punisher Glove
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Heavyweight shell glove
Gore-tex or equivalent (trips before July)
Examples:
Black Diamond Enforcer Glove
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Feet
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Liner socks (optional)
1-pair lightweight and thin
Examples:
polypropylene or wool
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Syntheric or wool socks
check boot fir to make sure they work together
Examples:
Smartwool ,Patagonia
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Alpine touring ski or snowboard boots
lightweight
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Upper Body
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Synthetic t-shirts
Two synthetic or merino wool t-shirts. No cotton!
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Long-sleeved Base Layer
Two lightweight to mediumweight, pull-over is best
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Second heavyweight base layer
or lightweight fleece if necessary. Base layer preferred
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene, wool, polypro
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Sports bras
Two, synthetic, no cotton!
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Softshell Jacket w/ hood
This is what you will be wearing while hiking at higher altitudes or while kicking around camps at lower altitude. This jacket should be full-zip
Examples:
Outdoor Research Ferrosi
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Hardshell jacket w/ hood
A good jacket made of Gore-Tex (recommended) or waterproof nylon, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers
Examples:
Outdoor Research Foray, Patagonia Triolet
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Down or synthetic jacket w/hood
This is your most important piece of warm gear and will mean the difference between an enjoyable climb or a miserable one. A warm, full zip jacket with hood is ideal.
Examples:
Helly Hansen Vanir, Feathered Friends Volant, Marmot Guide’s Down Hoody, Outdoor Research Virtuoso Hoody
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Sun hoody
This piece with a high SPF rating and lightweight fabric offers protection from high altitude sun
Examples:
Outdoor Research
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Lower Body
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Long base layer
Two pairs light or mediumweight
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Softshell pants
Softshell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable. Great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights higher on the mountain or summit day
Examples:
Outdoor Research Voodoo, Mountain Hardwear Touren, Patagonia Guide
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Hardshell pants
waterproof and breathable with side zips (minimum of ¾ zips recommended) Gore-Tex or equivalent
Examples:
Outdoor Research Furio, Arcteryx Beta AR
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Miscellaneous
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Personal first aid kit (NW)
moleskin/blister kit, Band-aids, athletic tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, ect
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Lip balm
Must have SPF rating of 20 or more. Bring two just in case!
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Sunscreen
Bring plenty of sun block with SPF of 40 or more. It's easy to underestimate the amount necessary for your trip!
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Hand sanitizer
enough to last trip length
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Headlamp
Bring extra batteries!
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Water bottles
two 1 liter wide-mouth water bottles
Examples:
Nalgene
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Hydration bladder (optional)
hydration bladder or water bag with drinking tube (must also have 1 Nalgene Bottle or equivalent)
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Water purification (NW)
Purifies drinking water while on the climb
Examples:
Steri Pen, water filter, Potable Aqua, Polar Pure crystal iodine
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Pocket knife or multitool
Simple Swiss Army type with scissors. Make sure you transport in checked bag, not carry-on!
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Toiletry kit (NW)
toilet paper stored in double zip lock bags
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Nylon stuff sacks
for food and gear storage, large ziplocs are useful
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Large plastic bags
heavy duty trash compactor bags recommended
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Bandana (optional)
lightweight
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Snacks (general)
Bring your favorite snacks and power/energy bars or if there is something else you particularly like to eat while hiking and climbing
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Camera (optional)
or any sort of device that takes pictures
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Book Course
Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals — Stevens Pass
$525
2 Days
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Book Course
Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals — Snoqualmie Pass
$525
2 Days
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Book Course
Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals w/Extension — Stevens Pass
$695
3 Days
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Book Course
Backcountry Skiing Fundamentals w/Extension — Snoqualmie Pass
$695
3 Days
Route
Stevens Pass or Snoqualmie Pass Backcountry
Client to Guide Ratio
5:1
Difficulty
Beginner
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