Skier ascends snow in the backcountry of colorado
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Intro to Backcountry Skiing/Boarding Class

Intro to Backcountry Skiing/Boarding Class

The first steps into skiing or boarding Colorado's backcountry

The first steps into skiing or boarding Colorado's backcountry

Intro to Backcountry Skiing/Boarding Class

The first steps into skiing or boarding Colorado's backcountry

Everyone dreams of Colorado powder and our Introduction to Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding class covers the essential skills to move beyond the resort. From skinning technique and uphill travel to terrain selection, avalanche awareness, and descent skills on untracked snow.

Everyone dreams of Colorado powder and our Introduction to Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding class covers the essential skills to move beyond the resort. From skinning technique and uphill travel to terrain selection, avalanche awareness, and descent skills on untracked snow.

Quick Facts

Location:

Various

Various

Various

Prime Season:

Winter

Winter

Winter

Duration:

4-8 hrs

4-8 hrs

Itinerary Type:

Private

Private

Skill Level:

Easy

Easy

Price:

From $449

From $449

Who is Intro to Backcountry Skiing and Boarding for?

This class is for resort skiers, snowboarders, and splitboarders who want to understand the basics of human-powered backcountry travel before committing to bigger tours.

Do I need avalanche training first?

Formal avalanche training is strongly recommended for anyone traveling in avalanche terrain. This intro can help you understand equipment, movement, transitions, and basic awareness, but it does not replace a full avalanche course.

What skills are covered?

Guides typically cover skinning, transitions, uphill movement, group travel, terrain selection, basic avalanche awareness, descent tactics, and how to manage a simple backcountry day.

Do I need to be an expert skier or rider?

No, but you should be able to ski or ride confidently in variable resort conditions. Backcountry snow is often less predictable than groomed runs, and fitness for uphill travel is important.

Can I use rental touring or splitboard gear?

Yes, rental gear can work well. Make sure you arrange it before the day and let your guide know what equipment you have so they can help you use it correctly.

Overview

Itinerary

Pricing

FAQ

Inclusions

Everyone dreams of Colorado powder so our Intro to Backcountry Skiing and Splitboarding is a private guided course for resort skiers and riders ready to travel beyond the lifts. Designed for those with no backcountry experience, it introduces the movement, gear systems, and safety awareness needed for human powered snow days in Colorado's backcountry whether you're on alpine touring skis or a splitboard.

You'll learn skinning and efficient uphill travel, transitions between climbing and descending gear, terrain selection, group travel methods, and how to approach the descent for variable backcountry snow. Your guide will choose terrain suited to the day's conditions and group ability, keeping the focus on efficient movement and safety.

This is a great class to do in conjunction with our Beginner Avalanche Course which prepares you to manage the risks of backcountry skiing or boarding. Most students take this course before or alongside a Level 1 avalanche course to build a complete foundation, and you'll leave knowing exactly what to practice next and how to keep progressing responsibly.

Overview

Itinerary

Pricing

FAQ

Inclusions

Everyone dreams of Colorado powder so our Intro to Backcountry Skiing and Splitboarding is a private guided course for resort skiers and riders ready to travel beyond the lifts. Designed for those with no backcountry experience, it introduces the movement, gear systems, and safety awareness needed for human powered snow days in Colorado's backcountry whether you're on alpine touring skis or a splitboard.

You'll learn skinning and efficient uphill travel, transitions between climbing and descending gear, terrain selection, group travel methods, and how to approach the descent for variable backcountry snow. Your guide will choose terrain suited to the day's conditions and group ability, keeping the focus on efficient movement and safety.

This is a great class to do in conjunction with our Beginner Avalanche Course which prepares you to manage the risks of backcountry skiing or boarding. Most students take this course before or alongside a Level 1 avalanche course to build a complete foundation, and you'll leave knowing exactly what to practice next and how to keep progressing responsibly.

Overview

Itinerary

Pricing

FAQ

Includes

Everyone dreams of Colorado powder so our Intro to Backcountry Skiing and Splitboarding is a private guided course for resort skiers and riders ready to travel beyond the lifts. Designed for those with no backcountry experience, it introduces the movement, gear systems, and safety awareness needed for human powered snow days in Colorado's backcountry whether you're on alpine touring skis or a splitboard.

You'll learn skinning and efficient uphill travel, transitions between climbing and descending gear, terrain selection, group travel methods, and how to approach the descent for variable backcountry snow. Your guide will choose terrain suited to the day's conditions and group ability, keeping the focus on efficient movement and safety.

This is a great class to do in conjunction with our Beginner Avalanche Course which prepares you to manage the risks of backcountry skiing or boarding. Most students take this course before or alongside a Level 1 avalanche course to build a complete foundation, and you'll leave knowing exactly what to practice next and how to keep progressing responsibly.

Still thinking about your next great climb?

Colorado is a big state with a lot of different climbs. Feel free to use our contact form. We're happy to be your resource for deciding what might be the most convenient climb for your skills and location.

Still thinking about your next great climb?

Colorado is a big state with a lot of different climbs. Feel free to use our contact form. We're happy to be your resource for deciding what might be the most convenient climb for your skills and location.

Still thinking about your next great climb?

Colorado is a big state with a lot of different climbs. Feel free to use our contact form. We're happy to be your resource for deciding what might be the most convenient climb for your skills and location.

Common Course Locations

Below are some recommended climbing locations within the vicinity if you're interested in some alternative destinations. Colorado is home to many climbing areas and we want to help you find the one that is best for you!

Climber adjusts their tie in at a belay on Petit Grepon in Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park

From $279

Half, Regular, Full, Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climber adjusts their tie in at a belay on Petit Grepon in Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park

From $279

Half, Regular, Full, Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climber adjusts their tie in at a belay on Petit Grepon in Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park

From $279

Half, Regular, Full, Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Mountaineer in the San Juans plunges their ice ax on a long snowfield during a guided trip

Various

From $279

Half, Regular, Full, Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Mountaineer in the San Juans plunges their ice ax on a long snowfield during a guided trip

Various

From $279

Half, Regular, Full, Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Mountaineer in the San Juans plunges their ice ax on a long snowfield during a guided trip

Various

From $279

Half, Regular, Full, Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climbers rest on a lower angle section of a ridge on the way to Blanca Peak.

Various

From $279

Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climbers rest on a lower angle section of a ridge on the way to Blanca Peak.

Various

From $279

Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climbers rest on a lower angle section of a ridge on the way to Blanca Peak.

Various

From $279

Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Common Next Course Options

Some climbing areas are better suited for certain types of climbing classes than others. Below are a few of the classes we commonly do here if you are interested in learning to climb. While we can always figure out ways to make something work these climbing courses work well in this area.

Avalanche course students look in their field guides for information

Various

From $699

3 days

Easy

Rock

Rock

Rock

Avalanche course students look in their field guides for information

Various

From $699

3 days

Easy

Rock

Rock

Rock

Avalanche course students look in their field guides for information

Various

From $699

3 days

Easy

Rock

Rock

Rock

Backcountry user tries to get themselves out of a hole during an avalanche rescue course

Various

From $249

8 hrs

Easy

Rock

Rock

Rock

Backcountry user tries to get themselves out of a hole during an avalanche rescue course

Various

From $249

8 hrs

Easy

Rock

Rock

Rock

Backcountry user tries to get themselves out of a hole during an avalanche rescue course

Various

From $249

8 hrs

Easy

Rock

Rock

Rock

Ski Mountaineer prepares the next anchor while another skier rappels into the couloir

Various

From $449

8 hrs

Difficult

Rock

Rock

Rock

Ski Mountaineer prepares the next anchor while another skier rappels into the couloir

Various

From $449

8 hrs

Difficult

Rock

Rock

Rock

Ski Mountaineer prepares the next anchor while another skier rappels into the couloir

Various

From $449

8 hrs

Difficult

Rock

Rock

Rock

6435 Garlock Way

Colorado Springs, CO

80918

596 S. Carr St.

Denver, CO

80226

Let's Socialize!

National Park Concessionaire
Bureau of Land Management Authorization
National Forest Authorization
Colorado State Parks Permittee

The Colorado Climbing Company is an equal opportunity provider operating under a special use permit in Pike San Isabel & Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests, Gunnison and Royal Gorge Bureau of Land Management, commercial use authorization for Rocky Mountain, North Cascades, Denali, Black Canyon National Parks and Colorado National Monument, and special use authorizations for Eldorado and Castlewood Canyon State Parks.

Copyright ©  Since 2010 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved. The Colorado Climbing Company offers guided rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain climbing, and climbing instruction with professional climbing guides. For climbing reservations call: 719-209-6649 or e-mail info@coclimbing.com

6435 Garlock Way

C/S, CO

80918

596 S. Carr St.

Denver, CO

80226

Let's Socialize!

Climb with us!

National Park Concessionaire
Bureau of Land Management Authorization
National Forest Authorization
Colorado State Parks Permittee

Copyright ©  Since 2010 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved.

Copyright © Since 2010 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved.