Backcountry skiing
Our guided backcountry ski and splitboard tours are for experienced skiers looking to safely venture out of bounds.
We will be skiing out of the resort area boundary at Whitefish Mountain Resort and using ski lifts for access.
Skiers and riders are expected to bring their own touring gear and the knowledge to use it.
Avalanche safety gear available for Rent.
A Whitefish Mountain Resort lift ticket or season pass is required. Because of this, we keep our price below the industry standard so it is still affordable to buy a day ticket and have us show you where the good out of bounds skiing is.
Backcountry Basics
This one day clinic is ideal for skiers and riders who are looking to duck the rope into the backcountry. It is designed for folks who have already had or are planning to take a Level 1 Avalanche course.
Students will be introduced to skills needed to be a confident, efficient, and well informed backcountry partner.
The topics we'll cover include trip planning, understanding the avalanche forecast, layering, pacing, navigation tools, emergency planning, safe decision making, and much more. This is not a substitute for avalanche certification but compliments the skills and knowledge you will gain in a Level 1 Avalanche course.
Only 4 spots available per day!
*Dates can be flexible*
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Please have all of your own touring gear (Touring Skis or Splitboard)
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Avalanche safety equipment (Beacon, Shovel, Probe) is available for rent
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A lift ticket or season pass is required and is NOT included in the cost.
Wilderness first aid & Avalanche rescue course
This three day combined Wilderness First Aid(WFA) and Avalanche Rescue Skills course is a unique offering for those wishing to learn or refresh their skills for recovering a victim caught in an avalanche and providing first aid to a patient in a winter backcountry setting.
Winter emergency scenarios, especially avalanche burials, are often complex. The skills learned in this course will prepare students to respond to these emergencies in the backcountry with confidence. Not only will students learn and practice medical skills, they will review and practice using a beacon, shovel and probe to perform avalanche rescues.
This course will finish with putting all the skills together where students will be asked to perform a multiple avalanche burial scenario as a team and perform patient care as part of the avalanche rescue scenario.
In partnership with Aerie Backcountry Medicine, students will receive a Wilderness First Aid certificate.
More info below..
FAQ's
What skill level is required for guided backcountry skiing? Our tours are tailored to your group’s abilities and experience. While we cater to experienced skiers looking for untracked terrain, it is required that you are comfortable skiing off-piste, black diamond terrain. We also offer "Backcountry Basics" clinics for those transitioning into the backcountry from the resort.
Do I need my own avalanche safety gear for a tour? It is recommended that guests use their our avalanche safety gear and be familiar with how to use it. We do have beacons, shovels, and probes available to rent.
What is the difference between your tours and "cat skiing"? We focus on self-powered ski touring and splitboarding for a more foundational backcountry experience.